(c. 1822-1863) Confederate lieutenant colonel commanding the 7th South Carolina Infantry Regiment at First Manassas, Williamsburg, the Seven Days’ Battles, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, before being killed in action at Chickamauga. Rare, good association war-date A.L.S. as captain, 2pp. 4to., Camp Pickens, May 4, 1861, to THEODORE G. BACON (1834-1900), colonel then commanding the 7th. Bland forwards his soldiers’ complaints about the quality of their food, in full ‘My men complain that their meal is sour & unfit for use. I desire that a board of officers be appointed to condemn it, if found as reported.’ He signs at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank ‘Capt 96 Riflemen 7th Regt S. C. V. ‘ Below, Bacon pens his own message to three additional officers, instructing them to inspect the meal issued by the regimental commissary department, and signs at the conclusion with rank. On the verso, these three officers report that the inspected meal has indeed been found to be bad, and recommend that it be disposed of, signing with their rank. Shows folds overall, mildly toned at the edges, else very good.