Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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17 September 1847

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Letter signed

Title: to John Quitman

Co-signed by Lieutenant M. Lovell, Adjutant General. Describes the falls of Mexico City and Chapultepec in detail and praises his supporting officers. Also discusses the rebuilding of sand bag parapets. Mentions having been wounded.

GLC04499

1851/05/28

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Letter signed

Title: to Persifor F. Smith re: Mexican War, brevets, discusses his role in the battles

Discusses Beauregard's role in Mexican War battles. He complains about only receiving two brevets saying: "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

GLC06715

13 April 1858

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E.C. Wharton

Informs Wharton that he wants the return of an interest-free loan, but since Wharton cannot afford it, he will not call the loan. Offers advice on the conduct of Wharton's life, urging him to "apply your intelligence and your energies to one object only."

GLC00025

18 April 1859

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio G. Wright

Discussing the poor health of a "promising...young officer." and possibility of "another such terrible epidemic" as had recently hit the men.

GLC03499

1860

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Photograph

Title: As brigadier general, vignette bust portrait

Graphite inscription on recto "Genl. P. T. Beauregard." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H. T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

GLC05111.02.1033

1 September 1860

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Annual report of Major G. T. Beauregard, Corps of Engrs- for the works under his charge during the year 1860.

Includes a report on the status of defenses at Proctor's Landing, Virginia. Beauregard notes that operations at the Landing were closed 30 September 1858 for want of funds, and that a fort keeper has manned the fort since. Reports that 30 August 1860, a severe storm destroyed Proctorville, and damages sustained by the fort require repair. Lists details of the necessary repairs. Reports on the status of Fort Jackson, Louisiana, which was closed at the end of December 1858. Jackson is also scheduled for repair. Lists costs of repairs needed. Includes a report on Fort St.

GLC06180

27 February 1861

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Manuscript document

Title: [Beauregard's copy of an official letter relative to his resignation from the Army]

A copy in Beauregard's own hand of the letter stating "Your resignation has been accepted by the President of the United States." Pencilled docket, also in Beauregard's hand, states "Mrs. Slidell left Wash, Feby 26. 1861 to return to N.C. Mr. Slidell had arrived in N.C. the Saturday preceding, but what date?" The original letter of resignation from the Army was sent by E. D. Townsend from Washington, D.C.

GLC04462

1861/03/14

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Manigault re: sending amunition & weapons to Morris & Sullivan Islands

GLC04461.02

11 April 1861

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert Anderson

Pencil copy of Beauregard's letter to Anderson demanding that Fort Sumter be surrendered and evacuated. Will permit that the flag "may be saluted by you upon taking it down." Page two contains pencil drawn copy of the watermark, and page three a penciled copy of the stationery impress mark. This copy differs slightly from the official version of this letter.

GLC01127.02

30 April 1861

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

General Beauregard supports Colonel R. W. Habersham's submitted plan for enlisting planters' help to provide grain and hay for army livestock. "I think the above suggestions of Col. Habersham of so much importance, that I have the honor to enclose them to your Excellency in the hope that they may be carried out before it becomes too late." Written on the letter of 30 April 1861 sent from Habersham to Beauregard and forwarded to Governor Pickens.

GLC09200

17 July 1861

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Letter signed

Title: to Richard S. Ewell

Brigadier General Commanding Beauregard writes to General Ewell to give instructions on troop position and permit an attack on Centreville, if the opportunity arises. Written shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run.

GLC03782

19 September 1861

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Trimble

General Beauregard, commanding the Confederate Army of the Potomac, writes to General Trimble, commander of forces located at Evansport, Virginia. States "It is more than probable that either another naval expedition is contemplated by the Federalists or a landing on the Eastern shore of Virginia, but not of the importance you contemplate for McClellan is aware that we could neutralize his expedition by a bold move across the Potomac & then on to Washington! which would be at our mercy. We can afford to lose even Richmond but they cannot.

GLC02690

1861-1865

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. T. Doswell

Dated "Saturday morning." Beauregard encloses a note (not included) from "a gentleman who had offered me that servant girl & her family." Two of the family recently died, and though Beauregard regrets their death, he is "glad it has occurred before they had been bought." Doswell was likely a financial agent and/or merchant in New Orleans.

GLC03564

7 January 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Field return of the first corps Army of the Potomac commanded by General Beaugregard

Breakdown of Confederate Army by rank, force, and fitness for duty. From major generals (2) to "Musicians" (252) and "Privates" (15, 234).

GLC08983

11 January 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John L. Manning

Discusses prospects for a battle before the spring, and is doubtful one will occur. Discusses both their health. Discusses officers in and out of camp. Mentioned are Beauregard's chief of staff David R. Jones, staff member John S. Preston, Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, Confederate General Bushrod Rust Johnson, Confederate Brigadier General Edmund Kirby Smith, and Union General George McClellan. Beauregard was commanding general of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia, at the time of this letter.

GLC00028

15 January 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jordan

Lists eight items he intends to have General Samuel Cooper pay special attention to during his inspection. Advises Jordan not to cast blame on anyone when talking to Cooper. Notes accusations against himself that he is usurping power. Venting his disaffection with Confederate leaders, he writes: "Bah! What men to direct affairs in our struggle for Independence! Compare them to Washington, Lafayette...?" Beauregard was then commanding general of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia.

GLC00039

21 February 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Earl Van Dorn

Beauregard, Confederate Commander of the Military District of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, writes to Van Dorn, Confederate Commander of the District of the Mississippi, Department #2. States that "the fate of Missouri necessarily depends on the successful defense of Columbus & of Island no. 10, hence we must, if possible, combine our Operations not only to defend those positions, but also to take the offensive as soon as practicable to recover some of our lost ground ... At all events, we must do something or die in the attempt ...

GLC00296

circa 28 April 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement regarding defense of New Orleans]

Beauregard's signed pencil docket on telegram from General Mansfield Lovell regarding defense of New Orleans. Lovell telegramed Beauregard to inform him that he is prepared to defend New Orleans, but "will not be responsible for the loss of life to women & children if the city is bombarded." At the bottom of this telegram, in pencil, Beauregard has written his reply, saying "I believe the attempt to defend New Orleans with troops now would cause it unnecessary destruction and loss of life.

GLC05812

2 May 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Printed document

Title: [Message rallying troops before an anticipated battle at Corinth, with illegible signature]

Calls on the "Soldiers of Shiloh and Elkhorn" to "drive back into the Tennessee the presumptuous mercenaries collected for our subjugation." Tells his men "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.

GLC04593

2 May 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Broadside signed

Title: [Address to soldiers before anticipated Union assault on Corinth]

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.

GLC02195

10 May 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Broadside

Title: [Broadside version of a letter to Braxton Bragg]

Printed broadside version of a letter from Beauregard to Braxton Bragg encouraging aggressive tactics. Bragg had the letter printed as a broadside "for the information and guidance of this army." States "When without orders or at a loss to know what to do in action, they must rapidly advance in the direction of the heaviest firing-for the art of war consists in the concentration of masses against fractions of masses; moreover, our motto should be 'Forward, and always forward,' until victory may perch decisively upon our banners.

GLC03514

19 May 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Document signed

Title: General orders, no. 44

General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt for Union soldiers will be treated as prostitutes is reprinted here, as well as Beauregard's words rallying the men to "drive back from our soil, those infamous invaders of our homes and disturbers of our family ties."

GLC00666

[on or after May 22, 1862]

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph note signed

Title: to Mansfield Lovell

Two autograph notes signed, on bottom and on verso of received copy of telegram from Mansfield Lovell to Pierre G.T. Beauregard, transmitted from Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 22, 1862. On South-Western Telegraph Company stationery. General Lovell informs General Beauregard, commander of Confederate Department No. 2, that he does not understand "Genl [Daniel] Ruggles assignment - this state up to Jackson, has always been considered as my department - five regiments of my troops are here under Genl.

GLC02425

22 June 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Answers to questions included in a 14 June 1862 interrogation by Confederate President Jefferson Davis]

General Beauregard answers questions Davis originally posed to Colonel W. P. Johnston regarding the 19 April-10 June Battle of Corinth, a Union victory. Beauregard includes both Davis's questions and his own replies. Mentions Generals Braxton Bragg, Polk (possibly Leonidas Polk), Earl Van Dorn, William Joseph Hardee, Sterling Price, and John Cabell Breckinridge. States that his actions were approved by General Robert E. Lee. Addresses issues such as choice of position and strategy, prevalent sickness in camp, and loss of military stores.

GLC08898

August 1862

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893)

Autograph document signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Secretarial letter to Jefferson Davis reporting on his need for reinforcements during the Battle of Second Bull Run. Signed by Beauregard.

GLC08239.04

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