Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02195

Author/Creator: Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Place Written: Corinth, Mississippi

Type: Broadside signed

Date: 2 May 1862

Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 13 cm.

Summary of Content: Rallying the soldiers before the anticipated battle and assuring a Confederate victory. ”We are about to meet once more, in the shock of battle, the invaders of our soil, the despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties. Face to face, hand to hand, we are to decide whether we are to be freemen, or the vile slaves of those who are free only in name; and who but yesterday were vanquished, although in largely superior numbers, in their own encampments - on the ever memorable field of Shiloh. Let the impending battle decide our fate, and add one more illustrious page to the history of our Revolution; one to which our children will point with noble pride, saying: ’Our fathers were at the battle of Corinth.’” Printed on blue paper and signed by Beauregard and Otey. Although a number of minor skirmishes occurred around Corinth at this time, no major battle took place. The Union forces approached the city very slowly, and by the time they arrived the smaller Confederate forces had wisely and stealthily abandoned the city.

People: Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893., Otey, John Marshall Warwick, b. 1839.

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Full Transcript: Head Quarters of the Forces,, Corinth, Miss., May 2, 1862., , SOLDIERS OF SHILOH AND ELKHORN:, We are about to meet once more, in the shock of battle, the invaders of our soil, the despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties. Face to face, hand to hand, we are to decide whether we are to be freemen, or the vile slaves of those who are free only in name; and who but yesterday were vanquished, although in largely superior numbers, in their own encampments - on the ever memorable field of Shiloh. Let the impending battle decide our fate, and add one more illustrious page to the history of our Revolution; one to which our children will point with noble pride, saying: ”Our fathers were at the battle of Corinth.”, I congratulate you on your timely junction, your mingled banners. For the first time during this war, we shall meet our foe in strength that should give us victory., Soldiers, can the result be doubtful? Shall we not drive back into the Tennessee the presumptuous mercenaries collected for our subjugation? One more manly effort, and, trusting in God and the justness of our cause, we shall recover more than we have lately lost! Let the sound of our victorious guns be re-echoed by those of the Army of Virginia on the historic battle field of Yorktown., G. T. BEAUREGARD, - OFFICIAL - General Commanding, , , Jno M Otey Esqr, [illegible], For Col.l A. R. Chisolm, G. T. Beauregard , Gen.l Comdg, , [docket], Address of , Genl Beauregard, to his troops at , Corinth 1862.

Keywords/Subjects: Civil War, Military History, Confederate general or leader, Confederate States of America, Battle, Union forces, Slavery, Propaganda, Freedom & Independence, Children & family, Battle of Shiloh

Sub Era: The American Civil War

Background: John M. Otey was a Confederate Lieutenant Colonel who served as an Assistant Adjutant General for a number of officers throughout the war.