Manuscript fair copy of Brigadier General Milledge L. Bonham's report on the "Battle of Manassa" [sic] sent to Brigadier General G. T. Beauregard, certified at the conclusion as "official" by assistant adjutant general Robert H. Chilton, "R. H. Chilton," nine pages on five sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, August 1, 1861. Bonham's report on the Battle of Bull Run, 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…
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." In fine condition.
The First Battle of Bull Run, known to the Confederacy as the Battle of First Manassas, on July 21, 1861, was the first major land battle of the Civil War. Prior to the action, the Union was expected to quell the rebellion in short order. However, the Confederate victory at Manassas demonstrated the strength of the rebel army and predicated a long and bloody war. President Lincoln immediately signed legislation that increased the Union Army by 500,000 men, preparing for a protracted conflict.
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