P.G.T. Beauregard to Quincy A. Gillmore, July 22, 1863

Brig. Gen. Q. A. GILLMORE, Commanding U. S. Forces, Morris Island, S. C.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 20th, in reply to mine of the 4th instant, has been received, and it only remains to add, in connection with the subject-matter of the correspondence, that I am quite at a loss to perceive the necessity for your remark that you ” will expect from the commanding general opposed” to you “full compliance with the same rules and maxims in their unrestricted application to all the forces under my (your) command,” inasmuch as I am wholly unaware that there has ever been alleged any departure on my part, or by any of my troops, from the established laws and usages of war between civilized peoples. I therefore submit that you should specify precisely to what you have referred.

As to the channel of communication resorted to in the transmission of my letter of the 4th instant, it need not have caused the surrise you express. Indeed, until made aware of your views, I had peice you would naturally prefer that route for flags of truce, inasmuch as it was clearly the one least calculated to interrupt your operations for the reduction of Battery Wagner, and Iam quite unable to understand the grounds either of your surprise or of your objections. So far as I am concerned, be assured I shall avoid all WMS ee either for cavil or complaint, and do what I may to conuct the war upon principles recognized’ by other nations.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,