Lengthy Civil War-dated handwritten manuscript signed "H. P. Bee," five pages, 7.75 x 11.75, April 10, 1864. Written by Bee while stationed at the headquarters of the 1st Cavalry Division in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, a battle report directed to "Major Hart, Asst. Adjt Genl, Green's Cavalry Corps," in part: "I have the honor to report the operations of the troops under my command during the Battle of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. Debray’s, Buchel’s and Terrell’s Regiments rendezvoused at Mansfield having marched from the Colorado River in Texas. They advanced to meet the enemy now known to be approaching enforce. I at once placed the regiment in line of battle with intervals of 500 yards, who successfully met the enemy. Of the command the most of whom were under fire for the first time, were cool and deliberate behaving most satisfactorily. On arriving I was ordered by major Genl. Walker to a position on the extreme right of the line of battle. Debray’s Regmt was detached for a time and was engaged on the centre—Terrell’s Regmt was also detached during the day and put into action on the left. At 4 o’clock P. M. Genl. Walker advanced the Cavalry covering his right, being in the timber my march was slow and the Infantry Division captured the train and Artillery of the enemy blocked up in the road about three miles in advance…I at once crossed the 4 mile creek in pursuit of a fleeing foe as I was informed, but unexpectedly encountered the 19th Army Corps of the enemy in position on the crest of the hill, owing to the road beyond the creek being blocked up by the captured train. The troops of different arms became intermingled, and acting as one command Infantry and dismounted cavalry charges up to the enemy’s line and maintained their ground until night put an end to a contest as severe as any that occurred during the day. I received the gallant co-operation of Col. Randall of the Cavalry, Capt. Lane of Debray’s Regmt of Cavalry gallantly charged with his company the lines of the enemy for the purpose of drawing their fire preparatory to a charge of our Infantry, losing Lieut. Willis, killed and several wounded…On the morning of the 9th I was ordered forward with all the cavalry to pursue the enemy, who had retreated during the night…at 9 o’clock I encountered the enemy in line of battle across a field mile from Pleasant Hill—the front presented rendered it necessary to reconnoiter the position preparatory to a charge…the other Cavalry Regiments were placed in line of battle successively, as they came up…At 4 p.m. I opened the battle by a charge of all the Cavalry—the Regiments of Debray and Buchel being in advance were at once move forward in column…before reaching the main line of the enemy the column was subjected to a cross fire from the enemy secreted behind a line of fence, which being at close range, say fifty yards, at once swept the column away…the Regiment suffered severely both in men and horses…I soon rallied the remainder of Debray’s Regmt and moved round to the left where I joined the Regiment of Buchel…the contest here was severe and the want of Artillery much felt but was maintained until night…The loss in my Brigade consisting of Debray’s, Terrell’s, and Buchel’s Regiment was 164 killed, wounded, and missing.” Bee has signed again within the docketing on the reverse of the final page. In condition, with heavy soiling and wear, and tears to the last page repaired with very old tape.
