This Letter-Signed is one of our most historically significant!  Confederate General G. T. Beauregard in charge of the armies in the Charleston, South Carolina region, makes a plea for the use of slaves from the surrounding plantations to help build fortifications.  He writes to Governor M. L. Bonham of South Carolina on July 13, 1863 on official “Head Quarters, Department of South Carolina, Ga. & Fla.”  stationary.  He states that one “can readily trace some of the consequences in the events of the past week” to the lack of slave labor.  What Beauregard is referring to is the Yankee invasion of Morris Island on July 10th.   Beauregard continues… 

“Believing that there must be a remedy in the patriotism and intelligence of the planters of South Carolina, I shall invoke your Executive proclamation to them in this exigent hour, to send their negroes with spades and shovels to this city, without an instant of delay or hesitation, to the extent of three thousand effective laborers.  This can be but an inappreciable subtraction from the labor resources of the people at this or any time.  Each negro should be provided with at least three days subsistence.  The people of each district or neighborhood should select some overseer or manager for their negroes, who shall go and remain with them while they are employed.”

The Governor acted quickly and enclosed with this letter is a newspaper clipping naming persons in the several parishes around Charleston appointed to organize the Negro labor force.  The Union capture of Morris Island was a pivotal point to the eventual fall of Charleston.  One reason that Charleston did not fall sooner is because of Beauregard’s insistence on the slave labor force in building fortifications.  Just five days after this letter was written there were slaves reinforcing the breastworks on Morris Island’s Battery Wagner, and the famous 54^th Massachusetts, a black regiment with white officers would make their famous charge on Wagner.   

This letter is in very fine condition, written in dark ink and Beauregard does a great job in signing his very distinctive autograph!  There is toning on the front page of the letter where it was kept folded, but it does not at all detract from the fine overall appearance and historical significance of this amazing letter! 

#B7 - Price $9,500

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