LAKE CITY / FLA. // MAR / 17 cds with matching DUE 10 (Type F, CCV $350) on cover (tiny UR corner restoration) to Mrs. Eva J. Ashford, Salem P.O. Rupee Coty, Alabama with mandated endorsement of Private J. Y. Ashford, Bonaud’s Battalion, Siege Artillery, Co. B. (Georgia Volunteers). Ex Roger Ballard. $200.

Major A. Bonaud’s 28th Battalion, Georgia Siege Artillery was organized at Savannah, Georgia, during the summer of 1863. It was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and took an active part in the fight at Olustee. In the spring of 1864, the unit was sent north as infantry. Companies F and H were assigned to Finegan's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, and five companies to Elliot's, then J.C. Fiser's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. Companies F and H were involved in the Petersburg siege south of the James River and the Appomattox Campaign and surrendered with no officers and 7 men. The other five companies served at Savannah and in the North Carolina Campaign. They surrendered on April 26, 1865. Major A. Bonaud was in command.

James Y. Ashford served as a hospital steward with Major A. Bonaud’s 28th Battalion, Georgia Siege Artillery.

Auguste Bonaud was born in Marseilles, France. He signed himself A. Bonaud on Confederate papers and first made a documented appearance in Savannah, Ga., on an 1860 census of the city, along with his wife at time, Elizabeth. Bonaud confidently listed himself as a liquor merchant with a personal accounting of $200 under the name of Augustus Bonaud, Jr. His wife, however, stated her worth to be $41,000--a considerable sum at the time and a fine catch for Bonaud. He first enlisted in the Civil War 6 February 1862 for 6 mos. in Savannah. He boldly listed himself as Capt. of 1st Olmstead's Infantry and one remark on a later muster roll gives an indication to his somewhat arrogant character--under remarks, the copyist writes "signs roll as commanding the company." It is not clear whether he really was. Bold, brazen, and brave, he served George well.