Alfred Roman, The military operations of General Beauregard in the war between the states, 1861 to 1865

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Headquarters, Military division of the West, Charleston, S. C., Dec. 29th, 1864.
Lieut.-General J. W. Hardee, Comdg. Dept. S. C., Ga., and Fla.:

1st. The lines in Christ Church require the special attention of your Engineer and the Commander of the Second Subdistrict. The woods in front of the lines should be cut into abatis at once, and positions for field-guns in embrasure should be established immediately along them.

2. The batteries commanding approaches through the creeks should be put in perfect order and garrisoned.

3d. A pontoon-bridge should be thrown across Cooper River at the most favorable point, if practicable.

4th. I think you ought to apply for the promotion of Majors Lucas and Manigault, to give them more authority over their battalions.

Respectfully yours,

G. T. Beaauregard, General.

Two days before, General Beauregard had forwarded the following telegrams to the War Department:

1.

Charleston, S. C., Dec. 27th, 1864.
General S. Cooper, Adjt.-Genl., Richmond, Va.:

In event of having to abandon the coast, and enemy's movements will permit a choice of base of operations, shall it be towards North Carolina or Georgia? Latter is true base for forces of this Department; but views of War Department may require otherwise.¹

G. T. Beauregard.

2.

Charleston, S. C., Dec. 27th, 1864.
General S. Cooper, Adjt.-Genl., Richmond, Va.:

General Hood desires me to visit Army of Tennessee. Colonel Brent, my Chief of Staff at Montgomery, says my presence is required West, owing to some confusion in various matters, and want of supplies and ammunition. Unless otherwise instructed, I will leave here as soon as I can make definite arrangements for future operations in this State.

G. T. Beauregard.

On the 30th General Beauregard, having completed all possible arrangements for the pending emergency, asked to be relieved of the command of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, in order that he might devote all his time and attention to his Department proper—the Military Division of the West. His request was granted by President Davis, in the following despatch:

Richmond, Dec. 30th, 1864.
To General G. T. Beauregard:

Your despatch of this day received, also copy of that to General Cooper,