Beauregard takes Charleston command

P. Gustave T. Beauregard

• Chief of the US Army, General Winfield Scott, writes to Secretary of State-designate William Seward that it would not be practical to relieve Fort Sumter./1861

• [SIEGE OF FORT SUMTER] Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard arrives in Charleston to find crude preparations by the South Carolinians to capture Fort Sumter. Beauregard has Presidential orders to strengthen the Southern fortifications. Some quip that he is a perfect commander for Charleston defenses, since his own personal arrogance is as great at that of the Charlestonians./1861