Hi Mike:
Unfortunately, I did not copy the entire letter per se, but did get the last few paragraphs and General Trudeau's signature block (news type). The letter was published in the March 6, 1862 French language edition of the New Orleans Bee. I don't recall seeing a copy in the previous or subsequent English language issue of The Bee.
He closed with: >>>Croyez bien, Messieurs, que mes voeux et mes souhaits vous suivront partout ou les hassards de la guerre conduiront la Legion. Votre obt. serviteur et compatriote,James Trudeau, Brigader General Commandant L'Artillerie de la 1re Division de L'Armee de L'Ouest<<<
Babel Fish Translation: "Believe well, Messrs, that my wishes and my wishes will follow you everywhere the hassards [hazards] of the war will lead [the] Legion. Your obt. [obediant] servant and compatriot, James Trudeau, General Brigadier Ordering [Commanding] Artillery of the 1st Division of Armee [Army] of the West"
The Confederates had abandoned Columbus, Kentucky by March 1, 1862 due to the fall of Forts Donelson and Henry, and placed most of these forces, temporarily at least, at Island No. 10. Many were soon sent further south to Corinth and absorbed into the Albert Sidney Johnston organization. I suppose that General Trudeau's division artillery was broken up and distributed to other units in Johnston's army.
The date and place this letter was written are not on my photocopy of the newspaper article, but it was probably written and posted south during the last week of February,1862 to General Trudeau's comrades in the Louisiana Legion explaining the decision to withdraw from Columbus.
I haven't come across anything that would explain General Beauregard's omitting James Trudeau from "honorable mention" in his battle report. How do you know that Trudeau was a volunteer ADC to Beauregard? Numa Augustin was, but he is mentioned as such in Beauregard's report.
I would be interested in reading a biographical sketch of what you currently know about General Trudeau! Can I persuade you to write one?
Hugh