Q. A. Gillmoreh to P.G.T. Beauregard, July 20, 1863

General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding Confederate Forces, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated the 4th instant, written ” with a view of effect. ing some understanding as to the future conduct of the war in this quarter.” *

Passing over without comment, as purely irrelevant, your severe strictures upon certain military operations of my predecessor commanding this department, I will simply state that, while I shall scrupean’ endeavor to conduct the war upon principles well established

y usage among civilized nations, I shall also expect from the commanding general opposed to me a full compliance with the same rules and maxims in their unrestricted application to all the forces under my command.

It was a source of no little surprise to me that your communication was sent by way of the blockading fleet off Charleston, while our respective pickets on this island are within speaking distance of each other, and are considerably nearer to your headquarters than any portion of our naval forces.

it respectfully suggest that hereafter communications for me, to which my attention is at all desirable, be sent through my own lines.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient