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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893) [Beauregard's copy of an official letter relative to his resignation from the Army]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04462 Author/Creator: Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant) (1818-1893) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: 27 February 1861 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

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.

E. D. Townsend was the principal executive officer of the war department during the Civil War, and reached the rank of Major General.

"Copy"
Adjutant Generals Office
Washington Feby 23rd 1861
Sir
Your resignation has been accepted by the President of the United States, to take effect the twentieth inst.
I am Sir, Very Respectfully,
Your Obdt Sv't
Signed E. D. Townsend
Asst Adjt. Genl
To
Brvt Major P. G. T. Beauregard
Captn Corps of Engineers
New Orleans
La

[docket in Beauregard's hand]
Adjt. Genls Office
Wash. Feb.y 23d 1861
My resignation ac-
cepted - to take effect
on the 20th inst.

[in a different hand]
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? -

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893
Townsend, E. D. (Edward Davis), 1817-1893

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