[First Battle of Bull Run]. CSA General Robert H. Chilton Signed Period Fair Copy of the Battle Report for 5th Brigade with Signed Index. Five pages of bifolia, 7.875" x 10", Bull Run, Virginia; July 24, 1861. A period fair copy of Brigadier General Nathan G. "Shanks" Evans's report on the "Battle of Manassa" [sic] sent to Colonel Philip St. George Cocke. Docketed on verso. The report was presumably forwarded to Chilton, who signs in acknowledgment on the bottom of page five, "RH Chilton." It reads, in part: "...The Enemy made his appearance in line of Battle on the east side of the Stone Bridge about fifteen hundred yards in front of my position and opened their fire with rifled Cannon at 5:15 A.M... Having my entire force covered by the crest of the hills on the West side of the Bridge, I did not return the fire. Observing the Enemy had deployed a considerable force as skirmishers in front of his line, and that they were advancing on my position. I directed the two flank companies of the 4th Regt. S.C. Volunteers, and one company of Major Wheat's Special Battalion Louisiana Volunteers, to advance as skirmishers, covering my entire front. The skirmishers were soon engaged, and kept up a brisk fire... I sent word to Colonel Ph: St. Geo. Cocke that I had abandoned my position at the Bridge and was advancing to attack the Enemy at the crossing of the Warrenton Turnpike, and the Manassas Roads... I directed my command to open fire as soon as the Enemy approached within range of muskets... The fire was warmly kept up until the Enemy seemed to fall back... but the Enemy by this time were in such large force, that our position was no longer tenable, and I ordered my command, now greatly scattered, to fall back under cover, towards the Lewis House..." 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 Johnston to regroup reinforcements. The letter is accompanied by a "List of tabular Reports &c of the Battle of Manassa [sic] July 21st 1861". The index records a series of reports filed following the battle, including a field return, battle plan, and a list of captured prisoners and casualties. It is signed at the lower right, "RH Chilton". Condition: Report is holed for filing with grommet reinforcement along left margin; slightly split along horizontal folds at right edge. Index is lightly soiled with three adhesive outlines on verso, presumably indicating prior mounting; slightly split along three horizontal folds. Both with minor scattered pinholes from pest damage along folds of blank sheets which does not affect any text. With toning along folds and at edges. There is rust residue from a paper clip and pencil notation on verso. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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