Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant (1818–1893)

US military leader and Confederate general. Opening fire on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, he started the American Civil War in 1861. His military successes were clouded by his conflicts with Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

Beauregard was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from the military academy of West Point 1838. He distinguished himself during the Mexican War and then returned to Louisiana. In 1861 he was appointed superintendent of West Point, but resigned after four days to join the South.

At the outset of the Civil War, Beauregard achieved fame immediately for his attack on Fort Sumter. He played a leading role in the Confederate victory at the 1st Battle of Bull Run and prevented disaster at the Battle of Shiloh 1862 through an orderly withdrawal. His disagreements with Davis, however, resulted in frequent changes in his commands. From September 1862 till May 1864 he defended Charleston, South Carolina. In 1865 he helped to delay the Union advance on Petersburg, Virginia. He spent his post-war years in New Orleans, where he was prominent in business and politics.