Lot #330

P. G. T. Beauregard Autograph Endorsements Signed on Ft. Sumter Guns (1863)

Description

"The two additional guns referred to would be very acceptable"—Beauregard accepts heavy ordnance from South Carolina's Governor Bonham to defend Fort Sumter

Pair of Civil War-dated AESs, both signed "G. T. Beauregard, Genl Comdg." and penned on the reverse of an ALS from South Carolina Governor Milledge Luke Bonham sent to Beauregard on November 14, 1863, one page, both sides, 8 x 10, which relates “to the manufacture of Heavy Ordnance by the State.” Beauregard’s endorsements, handwritten on consecutive dates of November 17 and 18, 1863, and sent from Headquarters, Department of South Carolina in Charleston, read: “Resp’ly referred to Col. Waddy to know if the ammunition referred to by the Gov. can be prepared here,” and “Resp’ly returned to his Ex’y Gov. Bonham for his information—the two additional guns referred to would be very acceptable.”

Bonham’s letter, in part: “The Superintendent of the Arsenal Academy, Capt. J. P. Thomas is not prepared to manufacture extensively the cartridges for the…gun, and if the remaining guns were sent down for use at Fort Sumter it would be necessary to have the cartridges manufactured by your ordnance Department, where the facilities are much greater then they are at the Arsenal Academy…There are but five of these guns completed—You have one & Genl. Hampton another and three are at the Ars[enal]…of which I will send you for use at F[ort] Sumter if you can have the ammunition [pre]pared.” In very good to fine condition, with paper loss and fold separations reinforced by complete silking to both sides.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Major Figures of Science and Technology
• Dates: #665 - Ended May 10, 2023

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