Description:

Confederate General Signed Battle Report, Much on Longstreet!

A period copy of Brigadier General Milledge L. Bonham's report on the Battle of Manassas for the 1st Brigade, signed by Brigadier General Robert H. Chilton, "RH Chilton", 9pp on bifold stationery measuring 7.5" x 9.75", Camp Gregg, Virginia, August 1, 1861. Docketing at verso. Grommet holes for filing at upper left. Minor paper loss at top fold, not affecting any text. Light toning and scattered foxing. A few tiny tears at top edge. Overall, in near fine condition.

Bonham's report to Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, in part, "Between the 18th and 21st of July I placed on my extreme left Kershaw's regiment with Kemper's battery, both to give support to the left or centre of your whole line, as circumstances might require, and to keep watch on the Enemy's movements, should he attempt to cross any part of his force, by Cub Run Ford, between Col. Cocke's position at stone bridge and my own at Bull Run. Col. Kirkland's Regiment was placed in my center, on the ground previously occupied by Col. Kershaw. The Enemy continued up to evening of the 20th to make some display of force in my front, but to what extent it was impossible to ascertain, as his force was under cover of the hills and woods...Early in the morning the Enemy's fire was opened upon my position from the batteries in my front, throwing shot and shell from rifled cannon, and kept up until the afternoon, with occasional exchanges of small Arms, between the advance troops. The distance was such that my own Field pieces could do but little execution, and my fire was reserved for a closer encounter. My men occupied through the day the trenches under this pretty regular fire of shell and shot, exhibiting a coolness and steadiness worthy of veterans..."

The report continues, "Before we had reached the position which the Enemy had occupied in our front he abandoned his camp, with indications of a precipitate retreat. I continued the pursuit to near Centreville, when the Enemy opened with his Artillery upon the route of my column as indicated by the dust. Col. Lay, with a small escort, having gone forward to make a reconnaissance, found his Artillery and Infantry drawn up on the hills between the Run & Centreville, covering the approach to that place. I ordered my own Infantry to deploy in the woods to the left of the road & Genl. Longstreet's to the right placing a battery of Artillery in the road, and the Cavalry in the rear, under cover...During the night the Enemy abandoned his position at Centreville...I shall find it difficult to do justice to the fortitude, the patriotism, and the steady courage of the officers and men composing my command..."

Robert Hall Chilton (1815-1879) was a United States Army officer who later served as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He served as chief of staff for the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee for much of the war.

Milledge Luke Bonham (1813-1890) was an American politician who served as a Confederate General during the American Civil War. He fought in the First Battle of Manassas, commanding his brigade, as well as two artillery batteries and six companies of cavalry in the defense of Mitchell's Ford on Bull Run. He resigned his commission in January of 1862, to enter the Confederate Congress. In December of 1862, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Bonham as governor by secret ballot. He served until December 1864.

P. G. T. Beauregard (1818-1893) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1838. Following a brief appointment as superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy in 1861, and after Louisiana seceded, he resigned from the United States Army and became the first brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. He commanded the defenses of Charleston, South Carolina, at the start of the Civil War at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Three months later he won the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, Virginia.

James Longstreet (1821-1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse". Longstreet resigned from the United States Army in May of 1861, intending to join the Confederacy. His new commission as brigadier general began the following month, in June, and he was ordered to report to Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard at Manassas, where he was given command of a brigade of three Virginia regiments.

The First Battle of Bull Run was a victory for the Confederates thanks in large part to Evans's actions. His small brigade of 900 was vastly outnumbered, yet he is credited with delaying the Union's attempts to ford Bull Run long enough for General Joseph E. Johnston (1807-1891) to regroup reinforcements.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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