Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham to Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee on Situation at Manassas

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

REPORTS, ETC. – CONFEDERATE

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 43

No. 5. Reports of Brig. Gen. M. L. Bonham, C. S. Army, commanding at Manassas, Va.

Manassas, Va., May 25,1861.

According to the most reliable information from my vedettes, the enemy are not over five hundred strong at Falls Church and Ball’s Cross Roads each. No news of any attempt by Occoquan. Leesburg safe at 4 o’clock this morning. The Alexandria (Va.) troops are here, without cooking utensils, and many without arms. Please send to the quartermaster of this place cooking utensils and other camp equipage for six hundred men, as destitute men are hourly joining me. Caps, ammunition, and arms greatly needed.

M. L. BONHAM.

General Lee.

[Filed here as Official Correspondence, but in the Official Records as Reports.]

Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham to Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee on Potential Federal Move on Leesburg

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

REPORTS, ETC. – CONFEDERATE

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 43

No. 5. Reports of Brig. Gen. M. L. Bonham, C. S. Army, commanding at Manassas, Va.

Manassas, Va., May 25, 1861.

The information from trustworthy vedettes indicates the enemy at Falls Church and Ball’s Cross Boads not to exceed five or six hundred. A rumor that a large body was advancing towards Leesburg needs confirmation. As yet a number of our troops are destitute of camp equipage and with but little ammunition, but exhibit admirable spirits.

M. L. BONHAM.

Major-General Lee.

[Filed here as Official Correspondence, but in the Official Records as Reports.]

Brig. Gen. Milledge L. Bonham to Col. Robert S. Garnett (?), On the Occupation of Alexandria

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

REPORTS, ETC. – CONFEDERATE

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 42

No. 5. Reports of Brig. Gen. M. L. Bonham, C. S. Army, commanding at Manassas, Va.

Manassas Junction, Va., May 25, 1861.

Colonel: Colonel Terrett, with as many of his troops as he could bring off with him, arrived at 11 o’clock, the enemy occupying Alexandria with one thousand troops, as is supposed by Colonel Terrett. If the enemy advance on this line it is manifest that a much larger force is necessary here. There are but six hundred infantry here, seven companies of Preston’s command having gone to Harper’s Ferry. We need artillery very much. There are four small pieces only here. I can order up the two companies of cavalry from Occoquan and Accotink. There is but one troop of cavalry here. With a good engineer I could get on better. Will do the best I can.

In haste, your obedient servant,

M. L. BONHAM.

[Filed here as Official Correspondence, but in the Official Records as Reports.]