Brigadier-General Milledge L. Bonham was born in Edgefield district, May 6, 1815. He was graduated by the South Carolina college in his twentieth year, and then began the study of law, interrupting it, however, in 1836, to take part in the Seminole war, where he served as aide to General Bull and as adjutant-general of the South Carolina brigade. Returning to his law studies he was admitted to the bar in 1837, and practiced at Edgefield until his soldierly instincts were again aroused by the Mexican war. In this conflict he served with gallantry as colonel of the Twelfth regiment, United States infantry, with Winfield S. Hancock as his adjutant. Resuming the practice of law, he held the office of solicitor, was four times elected to the legislature, and in 1856 was elected to Congress as a State rights Democrat. With re-election he served until his State delegation withdrew in December, 1860. In the secession movement he took a prominent part, serving as a commissioner to Alabama and making eloquent speeches in favor of separation. Having previously held the rank of major-general of South Carolina troops, he was called to command by Governor Pickens upon the secession of the State. Under Beauregard he commanded the troops on Morris Island during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Then being promoted brigadier-general, provisional army, he went to Virginia, and was assigned to command of a brigade of South Carolina troops, and the Alexandria department. He was engaged at Blackburn's Ford, and would have had a prominent part in the battle of First Manassas if the Federal attack had not changed the plans. As it was, he was commended by Beauregard for the skillful execution of orders. He resigned in January, 1862, to serve the State as representative in the Con. federate Congress, and was elected governor for the term of 1862 to 1864. Reappointed brigadier-general in February, 1865, he commanded a brigade of South Carolina cavalry until the close of the struggle. Subsequently he served in the legislature, and held the office of railroad commissioner at the time of his death, August 27, 1890.