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LS signed “G. T. Beauregard, Gen'l Comd'g,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10, Head Quarters, Department of South Carolina, Ga. & Fla. letterhead, August 15, 1863. Letter regarding the defense of Charleston. In part: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication…bringing again to my notice that the sovereign convention of the State of South Carolina, had on the 8th of January 1862, declared it to be 'the sense of the people of South Carolina assembled in convention, that Charleston should be defended at any cost of life or property; and that in their deliberate judgment, they would prefer a repulse of the enemy with the entire city in ruins, to an evacuation or surrender on any terms whatever'—and further that you were informed that the attention of my predecessor in command having been called to this subject by the Governor and Council, General Lee had directed 'that Charleston should be defended to the last extremity, and if necessary, the fight should be made from street to street and from house to house.'
You are entirely right in your belief that I propose to defend the city to the last extremity in accordance with the patriotic wishes of the people of South Carolina, and the instructions of my superiors. I agree that non-combatants, as far as practicable, should be removed in time to avoid the possibility of any serious obstruction to, or injurious effect on, the defense by their presence, and In trust that the proper authorities will be able to effect that desirable object…Early in July, the Mayor of the City, by Proclamation, called on non-combatants to quit the city during the operations of the enemy for its reduction. Many left, but in a very few days began to return. I then took measures to prevent this by issuing an order to the Rail Roads to refuse a return passage. The operation or effect was to overwhelm my office…with the consideration of urgent applications for permission to return…such have been the results of every previous effort to induce non-combatants to leave and remain out of the city, that I fear no effort to that end will be successful until it may be too late." In fine condition.
In 1863, Beauregard was ordered to Charleston to take command of coastal defenses in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Though unhappy with the assignment, he performed admirably, preventing the capture of Charleston by Union naval and land attacks throughout 1863. Beauregard's forces successfully repelled a Union ironclad attack against Fort Sumter in April, and defended further naval assaults from July through September. Having nobly held Charleston, Beauregard would return to the field, leading a crucial defense of Petersburg in 1864.
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