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' . ..! \'•• -------- . ----- -..--- ____ _ .., . _________-_„. __ -;-,;-.--„. . _ __ ..._ _-..._- --- - _ . --,-•-- f _, ~_- • ,---"--'-'- ..._...- - ,•-• = 7,4-,. ~" , ----_,.. .- --'--" ~ 7 7W--.-- 1,. := 7 . • •7-1 -:: ' -'-' 'f_ -Z• . - i ;-'M' A ..---. ' : 1 U .......% e ,5 {:r. 1 15;.4 : 441 Pike Itk . . 4igPr' ---...'-'... -- - L - -. ,-__ A _.• • . :.c•-,1. - 7 - - , - ,••• --, ~... -. 4 .: it"'" 4 4- , -. ... , . : - .:.- - 2 , --• _ . .:W c _ C s_. '.l -. -: ___,;-' T.-. , : 5 ._.• * --- .. • „_ _ —_-_-_- -....--,---- - , . A, R. RtIEE3I, Proprietor.' 'Wen. 31. PORTER, Editor. f VOL. LXI. TERMS OF PUBLICATION The 04111.151.0 basin Is published weekly on a large :beet containing twenty eight columns, and f arnished to subsorihers at $1,50 if paid strictly in advance: $1..75 if pill within the year; or $2 in all cAses when pay.uent is delayed until after the expiration of the year. No subseriptions received for a less period than six in Inths, and none discontinued until all arreatages tire paid, unless at the option of the publisher. Papers sent to suoseriber, living out of Cumberland county inner be p:da for in advance, or the payment assumed by some responsible person living in Cumberland coun ty. These terms will be rigidly adhered to in all cases. AD VERTISEMENTS, Advertisements will be charged Sinn per square of twelve lines for three insertions, and 25 cents for each subsequent insertion. All advertisements of less than twelve lines considered as a square. Advertisements inserted before Marriages and deaths S rents per line for first insertion, and 4 rents per line for ,übsliaent Insertions. Communications nn MO, ja-to. of limited 'or individual interest will be charged 5 rote our line. The P,roprietar will not ho reqpnoxt bin in tun •s for errors in advertisements, Obituary noti^ , c or Morris ,+s not oKreeding fiVo lines, will-be I ucorted without charge. JOB PRINTING Tho Carllalo Herald .1011 OFFICE Is the ar.ros t rind meet complete establkhinent In the county. Froar p ..: Pres-ea. and a grneral variety of in:aerial fir plain a nd Fancy wrir4,.rif.overy Hint. enables ,]..1 to 'to Printing at the gliortegt notice and ye the re ,inn 'nob. Persons in want of Mils, Iti ,nlr.r nr Anything in the Jobbing lin, will find It to the r int.re.t to giro us a call. encraf ani) Cocaf :Information 11. S. GOVERNMENT President—Axe. IT .01 LINCULN. ginu. It %W. 13. Soesot try of SI.WARD S.. •r•t . ", of I 11 t ex:r So,res.lr. of Il—o , urv— , lol , N V CHASE. A ,i.f WA: —, 4 :4,AN CANItILDN. ,p• • • • .0 - NA V —it 1.: . •5. W LUSA. AA A, n FAY 11L1itt. Att o r 04.11,A1 ASV:. of thn Lniwd StAtos—R. 6. TANLy STATE GOVERNMENT Ell=a9 •r0t.,.. Jr:eyor 11,1-ral —MA. IL K . EIM. Ilton —TUO3. E. Co.ntniN. A 6,3,1'31 —Wv. M MyttliniTu. Adjutant (innvral—E. Tre tsur, II Nr..c .1 ad in, or toe Snpritino C.eurt —E. I,nwr9, J. M. ARM. IV. 13. LOWlttr. U. W. WoODWARD../011:1 M. READ COUNTY OFFICERS Pre,ident Judas—ll m. James it. Graham. .k , • ..-mte J L.1,14.-11on. Mirhaul C,oeklin, Hugh Ft t. •t ttt , rnot•--J W. D. tlinelut P:.e! h met., v —Beniatnlu I)uk- It e est, s,:.—J th 11 Fla Yd. Cr A. Itrudy. III:11 Short IT—Themusen Deputy, Copu ty Treasurer—John Outstullt. Corer vet Smith nty. ,'4,lltatiest , ,ners.---Jantes 11,. Wats - ner, Deo. hl icier, Mich .51 halt. Clerk to Cemmissioners, Janes Ar t•true. Dire the Poor—Wts,, Grxcep. John Miller, , Superintendent of Poor lions Wm. •rn nutr) 11 t•ury uytfrr. BOROIIO- OFFICERS I=l =I . . . TA., .1 .1/ ^.l..hx tl ut,11411, D at. W. Dale, J.l: Irv... 11. Carney...loll. Holbert, J. B. l'arkor, Fred : 4 aatlt9 Easati tiger. :I,•rn to tlou artl.--Jar. G. 11a,tahelmer. . . 11 •ht`..,1,LA.14 , c—•:..0. Urn:.ly, Stuart. Ward Audrew th.• Yearn--A. h. dponslcr, David Smith Ni :4.1 11 Jletßub, Abm. C II UROCIIES First Presbyterian Chureh, Northwest angle of Con t nl la re. Res. t'. .vat P. 11" i 11,4 Pastor.—Sery iron ever) au Inlay Morning at 11 o'clock, A. M., and 7 o'clock P. ‘I Se ond Presbyterian Church. corner of South Hanover ant pomfrot -Al eels. Rev. Mr bells, Pastor. Sort tees con) uleur , at II o'elork, A. 1., and 7 e'elock P. /1. 5t..1 , 11 ‘..tl urea.' Prot. bpiseopal t northeast angle of C.!nt .., lasr.•. Rev. . Rector. Services at I I o'cl , rk .1 . M.. and tt o'clock. P. M. E,111,11 Lutheran euorrh, Bedford between Main an " ...tat II 'r stre.,s Rev. Jaeob Fry, Pastor. Services at I I o'cl.t •5 A. M., and n 1 .2 o•elork NI. Gera,' heiorme.l Church, ',outlier, between Han over a 1 t lilt streets. Rev. Samuel Philips, Pastor. Sei i.S.. at II o'..lock A. m, and nt, o'clock l'. 11 me; h I tst E. k'hurcli. ,tirst charge) corner of Mein anti rift Rev. Joseph A. boss, Pastor. Servicesat 11 ri,rl; A. hi. and (04, o'clock P. 111 letiist E. I urch, second charge.) Iles. Herman M. J.dvue) Pastor. Services in Emory M. E. Church at 11 o'c e.S. .M. and 114 I? )1., St. l'At[ e.Athotlc Chdrelt. Pomfret near East st. ILev . Jams Kelley, Pastor. Services every other SAhh.tth e lo o'e;ock. Vespers at 3. •rin vu Lutheran Church cornyr of Pomfret and Be•I1 tr.l streets. Itev. G. A. Struntr. Pastor. Services at 11 o'clo,k, A. M.. and 6).6 o'clock. I'.ll. When changes Its the above are necessary the proper persons are requested to notify us. DICKINSON COLLEGE Rev. 11. M. Johnson, D. D., President and Professor of Moral Science. James W Marshall. A. M. --- liana C. Wilson, A. M., Professor of-Natural Science and Curator of the Museum. It o , W in. L. Doswell, A. AL, Professor of Greek Lan guage and Literature. &cuplel D. Hillman, A. M., Professor of Mathsmaties. John • Li. zltaytuan, A. M.. Professor of Latin Lan guages and Literature. A. P. Mullin, A. M., Prlncipal of the Grammar School. BOARD OF SCIIOOL DIRECTORS ---- President. 11. Saxton, P. Quigley, E Corn man. C. P. II itmerich„l. Hamilton, Stieretnr,y.,Jation W. Eby, Treasurer, John Splicr, Alussonger. Meet oil the Isl. Nlondny of each Month nt 8 o'clock A. M. at Ed ucation Hall. CORPORATIONS Ctra.l.4l.lt DErosrr Da:qtr.—President, R. M. Henderson, Cashilw, W. M. Bootee,; Asst. Cashier, .1. I'. Hasler; Toiler, Jos. Roney,: Clerk, C. 11 Ptabler ; Messenger, John Underwrind; Directors, It. M. Henderson. John Zug, Samuel Wherry. J. D. Gergas, Skiles Woodburn. It. C. Woodward. Col. Henry Logan, Hugh Stuart, and James Anderson. CUMIIMLAND VALLEY BAIL 110,14 COMPANY.—Presidout, Frederick Watt, Secretary and Treasurer, Edwanl 31. Biddle; Stilm•rititendent, 0. N. I.ull. Passenger trains t xvi,e a day. Eastward leaving Carlisle at 10.10 o'clock A. M. nod 2.14 o'clock P. M. Two trains every day Westeard, bearing Carlisle at 0.27 o'clock A, >L, nod 3.3 , 1 P.. 11. t;AELLELE (lAIS AND WATEILCOMPANY.—Presidont, hem• uel bald: Trees user, .4. L. Sponsier; Superintendent, lierbu : WI.: Directors, F. Watts, Wm. M. Breton]. E. it. lllddle, Henry, Saxton, It. U. Woodward, John 11. Bretton, Bordner, and J•hn Campbell. CUMI:EELOID VALLEY BANlE.—Prosident, John 8. Bter• rett ; t'a,Micr, H. A. Sturgeon; Teller, Jos. C. Boiler.— Directors. John S. Sterrett, WID. Ker, Melcpotr Brune mnn. Richard. Woods. John G. Dunlap, ltobt..o. Sterrett, 11. A. Sturgeon, and Captain John Dunlap. BOOIETIES._ Cumberla , L.' star Lodgo N0..107, - A. Y. M. !needs at Harlon Hall on the 2nd 'aud . 4th Tuesdays of ovary Mouth. St. Johns Lodge No 260 A. Y. M. Moots 3d Thurs day of each month, at Marion Hall. Carlisle Lodge No 91 T. 0. of 0. F. Meets Monday evening, at Trenta • FIRE COMPANIES: The Union Piro Company was organized In 1169, Presimmt, E. Common; Vice President. Samuel Wetzel; Secretary, J. D. Hampton ; Treasurer, P. Mon yer. Company meets the first Saturday in March, Juno, September, and December. The Cumberland Biro Company was instituted Febru ary IS, t 859. President, Theft. Thom - Ann ; Secretary Philip Quigley; TrearMicr, E. D. Quigley Thu company meets on the third Saturday of January April July. and October. Tho Om.d Will Ifose_Compiily wasinatltuteil in March, 1555. President, If. A. Sturgeon: Vice Presldent,C. P. lluntrich • Secretary, William D.,llalbert; Treasurer, Joseph W. Ogliby. , -The. company meets the second Thursday of January, April.,lnly, and October. • The l; spire Reek and Ladder Company wee Institut ed in 1859. President, Wm:ld:Porter: - Vice President-, John 0. Amos; TreSsurer,"Johu 0•Impbell;, Secretary, John W. Paris. The company meets on the first Fri. day In January, April, July and October'. . _ RATES OP POSTAGE Postage on all letterset' one.half ounce weight or on dor,3 cents_pro.paid,:_excePt_to . California or Oregon, whiCh i» 10 cents prepaid. • - Postage no the ' tho County, free. Within the Bole 13 cents per year. Toany part of the United. States 20 cents. Postage on all translentpapers Under 3' ounces in weight, 1 cent pre-paid or two cents =Aaldnu. - Advertised letters, to be charged with the cost TORE ROOM TOR .RENT. -- - - The largo Store itoomnt the West and of gain Street. It. 8 Mod Up with counters, and shelving and has a large and convenient cellar. P . os.essien, given stoly. , Enquire' or APASI iigNSEMA44.-' Car!l.4ll, Der. 21, 'GO —t. . BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF ! HOW 'IT OCCURRED VINDICATION CF COL. BAKER! Correspondence of N. Y. MIDUNR. The late terrible disaster by a portion of the troops of Gen. Stone's division on the Upper Potomac, on Monday, the 21st October, has been so variously reported, and its true history appears to be so very important to the community, that I have thmght it worth the while to wait until the official reports of the leading officers jira.z.ed would instruct us in all branches of the programme, as well as in the actual fight. I regret to say, however, that, even at this late dat. , , there are points of inquiry, which I have found it inipossible to get intelligibly answered ; and defic ince:: occur even in the principal reports, which serve to bewilder rather than in struct. The report of Brigadier G - eneral Stone, particularly, who was the origina tor ,of the expedition, is most unfortunate iu this respect, and were it not that we are furnished with his principal written orders, through other channels, and with explanatory dates from other sources, it would be difficult to understand the real philosophy of his ex raordinary move ments. The general reader has followed the progress of the army of the Potomac, from the time when the bristling tide of the thr-e months' men, headed by the bayonets of the " Seventh," poured down Broadway to Washington, till, in its ig norant pride, it rashly overflowed the heights at Centreville, and was shattered amid the masked batteries at Manassas. The public saw its dejected fragments gathered up; they likewi:.e saw it tender ly re-organized and infused with a fresh life by a new and capable commander : and they experienced a substantial ,grati tieation when they were informed that the vacancies made by the retirement of in competent pretenders, should thenceforth• be tilled only by men of known ability and seasoned courage. By regular degrees we beheld the increasing host extend its immense wins till it studded the entire eastern bank of the upper Potomac on the right, and stretched down to Port Tobac co on the left; growing all the while in the enter, until all together it had ac cumulated the vast hulk of nearly a quar ter of a million of men. The sermon of peril and of serious disaster seemed.surely to be past; and never was an assurance more trustfully received by the people than the authoritative declaration that the days of such reverses as Bull Run, were to be known no more. The central weight of this tremendous mass of soldiers, tending toward the line 'of the Confederates, insensibly inclined the lighter body back; and as it became more capable of applying its pressure with precision, the opposinir power step by step—first relinquishing the line of Munson's Hill, their retiring beyond Bailey's (;rues-Loads, their giving up Fall's Church, Lewinsville, and Vienna, and finally falling back beyond Fairfax Court•Clouse toward their old lair a trea sett at Manassas. Thus invited on, it seemed advisable that our right wing, to the North, should extend in unison with the advances of the center, and that Lees burg, which was the connecting angle be tween Winchester and the London road, should be overflowed, and enveloped with in our lines. Accordingly, and as a proper preliminary to such demonstration, Gen. McClellan ordered Gen. McCall, whose division was established at Lang ley's, in Virginia, some distance to the south of Leesburg, to make a reconnois sance in force in that direction, pushing on to Drainsville, and even beyond that to Goose Creek, if necessary, to perfect his observations. On the next day, information of this movement was dispatched to Gen Stone, whose division, as a portion of Gen. Banks' command, lay on the eastern bank of the Potomac, about thirty miles from Washington, and was nearly opposite to Leesburg. The following is'the dispatch: 'To liripodler Genet nt STI , 7?E, PoolesvIllu: "lien. McClellan demi., TOO c.. InVirm you (lint Gen. McCall ocetspied Dr/tinsellle yesterday. and is still there. Will send out heavy reeonnot..sanees to dey In nil directions from that point. The General eesiree that you keep a good lookout upon Let sluirg to ace lilts movement bus the eiTert to drive then, away. Perbapa a slight demonstration on your part would have the effect to move them. "A V. COLIWIIN, Ant. Adjt.-Gen" When Gen. Stone received this mes sage, which, it will be perceived, was very limited in its character, he had one com pany of the 15th Massachusetts, Captain Philbrick. stationed upon a narrow slip of land, lying in the center of the Poto mac, called llarrison's Island. This Is land is nearly three miles long and about two hundred yards in width, with the river running swiftly in, between the two main shores, being about a Mile, with the largest width of water on the Maryland aide. Across this Islfind runs a route be tween the shores, which is known as Coon .rad's Ferry; and stationed at its Mary land end was Euntin N ws New York battery, under Lieut. Bramball. AbOut 'three miles further down, and near, to Pooles ville, which is Gen. Stone's headquarters, is another crossing, known, as Edward's _Ferry. The distance bet Ween these.two Ferries - Meng the river, on the Maryland,f side, is between three and four milek making the base of an acute triangle with Leesburg,• which is distant about ten' miles. - - Gem Stone, on receiving the dispatch, sent four additional companies of the 15th ; ' Massachusetts, under Col. Devine, to Har rison's Island, With 'directions for him to cross twenty men to the Virginia shore that afternoon; with orders for them to reconnoitre as far as possible on the road to Leesburg, 'and report, .Re - theri dis patched, Col. Leee witli a battalion of the Ilassachusetts :20 th, asection oflr_aughn's Rhode Island battery-,and -the-. Tammany Reginient, under Col, cbggswell; to .Coon rad's Ferry, opposite the island, to abide the necessity of an embarkation, of a fur. ther force. . To Edwards' Ferry, where Rickett's battery. was already stationed, the General set out himself, taking 'with'' bin / th e b r ioide 'of GOW Gorman, the ith' Michigan folunfeers, the Putnam Rang- a POlWiga WO2 TFEA GERGLIE. o s, and two troops of Cavalry under 'Maj. Van Allen. Encamped a few miles to the rear, but within handy reach, lay the brb , ade of Col. Baker, consisting of his California battallion of 680 men ; Baxter's Fire Zonaves, 900 ; Owen's Pennsylvania Regiment, 700 ; Morehead's Pennsylva nia Regiment, 500; and the Harris Cav alry, 140; making, in all, 2,920. Thus we have grouped before our minds all the Union forces which were destined to per form a part in the bloody tragedy of the morrow. Meanwhile, Gen McClellan, having been apprised by Gen McCall, who had successfully arrived at Draines vine, that there were indications of,the enemy twin! , in considerable force in the direction ofleoesburg : and there being, therefore, sonic danger of a flank attack from Centreville, he dispatched orders to that officer, at a late hour on the after noon of the 20th, tojeturn with his divi sion from Drainsville back to his camp on the following (Monday) morning. Lie did not, however, at the same time, send word to that effect to Gen. Stone, evident ly supposing that he would confine himself to the scope of the instructions forwarded through Col Colburn, and thus not ex ' eeed an observatory and auxiliary atti tude, While, therefore, Gen. Stone was grouping his f o rces at Coonrad's and Ed wards' Ferries, and awaiting the report of the reconnoissance of Phil brick, the divi sion of McCall was moving from the scene. It was evident, however, from General Stone's position at Edwards' Ferry, that the movement of McCall had been felt, and had oceasioned great perturbation a- I along the forces of the Confederates, for early in the afternoon of Sunday a regi ment of infantry appeared moving hastily from the direction of Leesburg toward the I river, and there halted, as if' seeking a po i sition. Upon this the forces of General Gorman 'were at once deployed ; but, no• tieing his movements, the rebels passed behind a hill, about a mile and a half dis tant, by air line, from Edwards' Ferry, and made a halt. Itiekett's battery at once 'prepared to give them a salute, and at the same time Gen. Stone ordered three flat-boats to be filled with men, to per suade them that we meditated an attack. The maneuver had the desired effect The rebels, finding the shell dropping too hot and close upon their neighborhood, abruptly fled, their movements being not a little quickened by the yells of the Min nesotans in the crossing boats. I will just pause here to notice that Gen. Stone timed the crossing and recrossing of these boats, and says, in his report, that they performed each passage in about six or seven 272 71 rites ! The object of this appa rently sporting statement about such an incident does not at first appear, but it acquims a gravity and significance when near the close of his report he deplores the delays experienced in the transporta .- • in California troops by Col. Ba ker. Gen. Stone does not inform us whether he measured this incident by guess or by a watch; but, if with the hitter, it may fairly g o upon the record as a great exploit; for the scows were loaded down with 35 men each, and the Str( am was swollen and rapid with recent rains. Compared with the 6 minutes 36 seconds, which is the best mile time of an 8-oared race-boat in the stillest water, the triumph is beyond all precedent. It' propelled a cross by polls, as the scows at Coonrad's Ferry were on the following day, the per fin-mance might be called almost minion lons After the disappearance of the rebel re giment, the afternoon wore away at Ed wards' Ferry without any further inci dent, and night coming on, Gen. Gor man's Brigade, and the 7th Michigan, re. turned to camp. Gen. Stone, however, ordered the 'J ammany regiment, the com panies of the 20th Massachusetts, and the Vaughn Artillery to continue Ott Coonrad's crossing for the night, while be, himself, remained with the Putnam Bangers, Van Allen's Cavalry, and the Rickett's Battery at Edwards' Ferry. t. aboin, 10 o'clock at night he received at this latter place a report of the reconnoissance of Capt. Phil 'brick, who reported through the Quarter master pf the 15th Massachusetts, that he proceeded with his squad to within one mile of Leesburg; that no pickets of the enemy were out; that near dusk he dis eovered a small camp of about $0 tents, upon the edge of the wood, near the town, but, though he approached it within 25 rods, he was not even challenged This statement seemed to indicate to Stone that_ the enemy ha.. either retired from Lees burg, or held it with inferior force, and it was then that he probably conceived, for the first time, the notion of making a hrilliant coup by capturing Leesburg himself. The likelihood of this is very strong, for it not only agrees with all the previous and subsequent circumstances of the situation, but it is the only tllory by which we can reasonably account for the extraordinary determination of an -e'pe rien ed - army officer to cross several thous and men. / With horses and artillery, over a broa and rapid river, with Put a j:trepartt tint) of-pontoons, or even an inquiry as to w i l(ether they "were beats' or scows, or cans of transportation of any kind what e'er; 04p - boldly after having arotiseil die, enemy to vigilance against stich a proceed ing, by the feint to cross during the after noon. J3ut with this new determination in his mind; - Gen. Stone immediately sent orders to Col. Devins, who was still on Harri son's Island, to cross with his four com panies ,to the Virginia shore, and march cilently toward the town under cover of the night, to the, camp referred to. In the language of Gen -Stem's report, as printed In the newspapers, he was `then to 'attack i"i ntrdaybreak, and -. destroy it, pursue the.enemy as far is would •be_pru dents-arid then__ fat Lback__immediately-to the island, his return to be covered by - a company of the Massaohnsetts•2oth, to•be pOsted:on,Jk bltteil-treegy over the lgniling place. ,dol. Dovin!3 was further • ordered . to-paltdolosc observation of ithe position, strength, and movements 6f .the .enany, and in the event of their being no enemy visible,..to_byeld_nscintre _position :tin til could be strengthened. • • CARLISLE,.• PA., FRIDAY., NOV These preliminaries being arranged, the next proceeding of Gen. Stone was to se lect the l*igade and the commander to whom he would intrust the important operations of the following day. Upon a brief reflection, the majority of the requi site conditions presented themselves in favor of Col. Baker ‘ ; and on the strength ' of his known gallantry, the extonSive ex:- ' pericnce which he had acquired a§ one of' the most distinguished officers of the Mexican war, and what, peril*, was equally important, the affection of "his troops, it was decided he should have com mand. Before forming these conclusions, how ever, and in further evidence that Gen. Stone's determination to cross'i'the river was sudden, we have the following dis patch, which he sent to Gen. McClellan late in the afternoon of Sunday, it answer to the one which he had received from the Commander-in-Chief in the morning: "11F.ADQUAlt7¢118 OF TUC ARMY Or 'ME FI,TODIAC, Oct. 20, 1861. 1 1 (Received nt Wlmilmelon from PoolesVille.) "To Majar Onneral NICCLELLAN Modell feint Of croon ing at this place this afternoon, and at the same time started a reconnoitering party toward lanlburg iron, liarrison's island. The enemy's pleat,* retired to in trenchmen ts Report of reconnoitering party not yet received. f have means of crossing one hundred and twonty-five men once in tell minutes'ai earn of two points. River failing slowly. CA'. STONE. Brigadier-finnerai.". The troops to be placed at the disposal of Col. Baker for the dangerous service were what I have already detailed as his own brigade, mhtlf the 15th and 20th Massachusetts, and the Tammany Regi went. With these were several batteries, but it should be mentioned here that one half of his California Regiment was away at Monocacy, and it likewise should be mentioned that the contingent of that regiment which was left for Col. Baker's use, and which the printed report of Gen Stone continually speaks of as a regiment, was merely a " battalion" of 680 men. Raving decided the point of the com mandership, (Jen. Stone sent Col. Baker word to have the let California Regi men? at Coonraffs Ferry at sunrise, and prepare the remainder' of the brigade to 'follow alter an early breakfast. This aorder was received by Col. Baker while sleeping in his tent, at precisely 2 o'clock a. in , on Monday morning. When it came to hint he had - received no previous intimation that he would be required to move on the morrow, and had never found it necessary to direct his mind upon the inquiry as to whether or not there were means to cross the river in force. No' suggestion of that sort accompanied the General's order, and that being a con sideration which no military mind organ:. izing an expeditio n would be suspected of overlooking, Col. Baker took it for granted that the means were ready, and probably never once directed his thoughts to the subject. With the alacrity of a true dier, however, he sprang from, his couch at once, and going to-Ike Californians, informed them, in a tone of:Cretrful pro mise, that the opportunity had come at last, for them to distinguish themselves in battl,3. He gave them hut two hours! to prepare their rations, and then required theta to march. In two hours later he stirred the whole brigade; and having started the California battalion oft to Coon rad's Ferry under. Lieut.-Col Wistar, he remained with the bulk of his troops, to bring them on himself. TilE OPERATIONS OP MONDAY While'Col. Baker was thus preparing his brigade, Col. Thevins was' engaged in crossing from Harrison's Island to the Virginia shore, with his four companies, but though he had begun the operation as early as 2 o'clock (the exact hour when ('ol. Baker received his orders,) it was day-break, owing to the fact of having only two boats to effect the passage, be fore they were ready to take their march. As they debarked from the scows, Col. Lee of the Massachusetts 29th, stood on the, bluff with 100 area to prcteet the crossing and to corer the return. I re peat the Italics hem, because it has been said in the report of Capt. Elineks that "the landing place on the Virginia shore was unfortunately selected," and it is pro per that the approach, if any, should not fall on Col. Baker. Col. Perim set out on the same road which had, previously been taken by Capt. Philbrick, but, to distract attention from his movements, Gen. Stone directed Gen. Gorman, at Ed wards Ferry, to send over two companies of the . tst Minnesota, and make, from the same direction, n, reconnoissance, with a squad of Cavalry, alotig the Leesburg road. This squad, which was thirty in number, was under the command of Maj. Mix, and it was accompanied by Lord Tempest Vane,- -who, under the title of Capt. Chas. Stewart, was acting Adjutant- General for Gen. Stone; and also by Capt. Murphy and Lieuts. Gourand and - Pierce. 2hiii party was directed to go no further along the Leesburg, road, from Edward's Ferry, thin the vicinity of a hidden .bat tery, which was 'known to be irt that di- rection. They were then to turn off'and examine the country between that and Goose, Creek, and, if attacked, to'return rapidly to cover behind the skirmishers of the -Minnesota Ist. - This mounds.. armee, says the report of Gen. Stone, was most gallantly conducted., The partypiti: :ckeded along the Leesbtirg road until near the hidden battery, when it' came saddenly . Capon a Missitisippi- regiment, received its fire at less than forty yards, and then, whirling round,returned' it with their revolvers as they hdridied. off. 'One of our lirses.,,was shot down, but his rider was seized by Gourand and :drawn upon the saddle. behind, 4ini; while- the horse was replaced by tbe.capture,of one of'the'Virginiacaialry, whom they took prisoner during their gallop baok, Devins; meanwhile, with his KlSfirt ehusetts mon,lkept advancing toward the treacherously silent town of Lecitburg, but_ Wherih& arrived -gi r th© position deat,- nated as the ..site of the small Camp, 'ho f4Ultd . - )3000 there, discovering '.that "' At this rate It would have required five Lours for anti. stonoto cross the 7.500 whirh ho says he placed at the enintaand 0f,Q61. Baker, without leaving any - war. it:n for tulshalin, &Inpu t and thadiffiqultice alwaya in the Way ofernbarkation of horses and artillery. Tio . nwans for the crossing army, over a river half a tullein_hrsadth,wora theAret *tn. nel and oxv, In the second,. the capacity of which will prosuritly soon. MBER , 1861 Philbrick, deceived by the uncertain light, had mistaken openings in the trees for rows of tents. Finding a good position, however, to conceal his force. Devins sent hack a messenger to Stone, and con tinued hFs reconnoissance according to directions. In order to protect him while he was thus employed, the General, on receiving a report of his position, sent ten cavalry to join him, and also directed Lieut.-Col. Ward of the 15th Massachu setts, to move with his battalion to a e, po sition on the right, in order that he light protect the Colonel's flank on his turn. Capt Candy of Gen. Landers aff, ac companied this squad, but foir , otne rea son "never explained to me," says Gen. Stone in his report, " neither of these or ders were carried out." The cavalry crossed and came' back, but did Lot ad vance from the shore, "and thus," eon , tinues Gen. stone, " Col. Devins was de prived of the means apbtaining warning of any approach of the enemy " This is a serious and sweeping accusa tion, for had not Col. Devins become so entangled with the enemy that it required a great sacrifice on Col. Baker's part to try to save him, the generous commander of the C ' llifornia. Brigade would not have been ffirced into the foils, and the disaster of the sequel would never have been knoWn. But there is another thought that comes up here, and that is, that af ter the embarkation feint of the previous afternoon had put the enemy upon the watch, Devins was probably under obser vation from the moment of his lauding. The enemy, acute in everything, and having him quite safe, could afford, shark like, to poise himself for a heavier prey. This would have been a natural artifice under a full knowledge of the circum stances, and many military men believe it to have been the case. Leaving the Virginia picture. for awhile, and without stopping to spectilate upon, the movements of the rebels, we must return to the right bank of the Potomac, and notice the proceedings there. According to the programme laid down for Gen. Baker, he had forwarded his California battalion to Coonrad's Ferry, and they remained there underWistar until near 9 a. in., at which time Colonel Baker, having pit his brigade in shape, hurried forward and appeared at the Fer ry among them. As soon as he rode-up he asked Wistar, who was sitting on the bank, if' he had received any orders and what they were. "We are to cross," said Wistar, " if we hear heavy firing." Baker then looked at the shore, and not seeing anything in the way of pontoons or in the shape of boats, except two small sized wretched scows, he turned again to Wistar with a smile, and asked " what are you going to cross in ?" Wistar made no al swer, as the condition of affairs seemed to answer of itself, upon which the _Colonel . , .with . the same smile upon his face, turned his horse's head and,gal loped toward Edward's Ferry. For hat tQ,ok place at this interview between Col. Baker and Gen. Stone, we must refer to the General's report. Gen. Stone says in his 'report, that after Col. Baker had reported to him in person, he explained to Baker the advance on Drains ville, by McCall, and the whole position of affairs that had supervened; and then directed him to go to Harrison's Island, assume command, and add to his former force, if neeesssry. the 19th Alassachusett.s regiment. He told him he was " ex• tremely desirous of ascertaining the exact position and force of the enemy-in front, exploring as far as it was safe on the right toward Leesburg, and on the left toward the Leesburg and Gum Spring Road." He spoke also of the hidden battery, and said he would do his best to push Gorman's troops toward the same point, by the way of Edward's Ferry. "The means of transportation across," continues the report, "of the sufficiency of which he (Baker) was to be the judge, was detailed," and it was " left to his discretion, after viewing the ground, to retire from the Virginia shore,-40dcr the cover of his guns, and the firW of the large infantry force, or to pass over re enforeements in case he found it practica ble, and the position on the other side fa vorable. I stated I wished no advance made, unless the enemy were of - Warier force, and under no circumstance to pass beyond Leesburg, or a strong position be tween it and Geese Creek, on the Gum Spring, i. e., the Manassas Road. Col. Baker was cautioned as to passing' artil lery across the river, and I begged, if he did so, to see it well supported by good infantry." * * *. " Leaving the mat ter of crossing.more troops, or retiring what were already over,, to his discretion, I gave him entire control of operations on time right." Gen. Stone, after these ver bal directions, then handed Col. Baker a written order. Of the two found in his hat when he was slain, the following is probably the one he received through Wistar, when at the Ferry: " 11. Q. Corps of" lb oro &word was evidently carried off with the corner of the shoot by a bullet.J Eowattes's FURY, Oct. 21, 1861. "Col. E. D. Baker, colon kronn or BRIGADE:. 4 . CoLoNta.r in case of heavy firing iu front of Ifarrison's Island, you will advance the California iteglelont of your 'Brigade, or retire the regiments under Cola. Leo adirDeelnarat7ourttiseretionrassumiug-cotomand-on— _ _ , _ . arrival. " Very respectfully. Colonel, ‘ 4 Your most obedient servant. " CHAS. P. STONE:, • "Brigadier General, Commanding." The following was doubtless the one thatentne - to --- him - on - the - - battle-field, And - Which having been read ann commented upon-by, Col. Coggswell, with the word " all right," the Colonel had passed - into ~ • his hat without perosal. ..1111AINOARTITS CORPS SP 011SERVSTIOtT „Edwards's Forry, Oct. 22-11:50 a. in. , Col. F.: D. BARER, CODISIANDISO ORIOADE. '''COLONtlo: I-am Informed that the force attic enemy is. about 4,000, all told. If you con push ' them you may do nO aa far as to have strong position near Leer. hog—if you can keep them ',afore you, avoiding their batterles. If they pass Leesburg and take the- OM -Sprl ugaroadlomwlll olot. follow far, - bu t spite the . fl tit good.poaltion to cover . that road. Their, design is to draw uc on, If they are obligOd to retreat. an far Rs Goose Creek, where they can ho re•enforced from Manassas, and Lave a strong position. s Report frequently, so that. when they, are pUshed, thermals ean , comq up on their flank': YoUra, reapeethilly and truly,. c. , OIIM2I.I'.BTONE,.Drig -Con. Commanding.", _ . It is eirident from these orders,. both verbal ' and written, that Gen. , Stone, having himself- made -no-investigation-as-r -tolhe efllicioney of means of transporta tion, took it for granted that there was enough; and it was likewise evident that Col. Baker was too cheerful and high spirited a solder to make a complaint on the very brink of battle, the cause of which no one, at that hour, could remedy any better than himself. He therefore, to use again the words of Stone's report, he, "this gallant and energetic officer loft me about hail- past 9, and galloped off quickly to his command." It has_been said in the newspapers, on the authority of Lieut.-Col. Colburn, Assistant Adjutant. General to McClellan, that Gen. Stone told him (Lieut.-Col: Colburn) that 'a part of his orders to Col. Baker where that he, Col. Baker, was not to cross the river on any account, unless the means of transportation was Bvi . . cleat to cross his entire force, but we do not find thisin the printed copy of Gen. Stone's report; and it certainly is incon sistent with the written orders which Gen. Baker already had received; inconsistent also with the subseque n t declarations of Gen. Stone's report, for in one part of that document he defends the means of trans portation as sufficient, had they been prop. erly used' Indeed, the General goes far to establish the sincerity of that opinion by stating further in a subsequent con versation with Lieut.-Col. Colburn, that when in the afternoon he beard the heavy firing from the Virginia side, he supposed that all or nearly all of Baker's troops had gone, and was surprised to learn, after Col. Baker's death, that only about 1,700 men had trade the transit, We are reminded at this point that Gen. Stone's headquar ters at Edwards's - Ferry was only about three miles from Coonrad's crossing, and he certainly had facilities to inform him self of the progress of affairs at this main point of operations at every hour, for messengers Were going to and fro all ' day. That he did' not make an inquiry of • any of them on the subject should be taken as a proof, at least, of his high confidence of the experience and fidelity which Col. Baker would be sure to be sto* upon hi's task. With these expla ; tritions, we must regard all of the orders of Gen. Stone subsequent to the first one ! directing Col Baker, "in case he heard ' heavy firing in front of Harrison's Island," to cross with his California Battalion, or" retire the companies of Lee and Devens," as being predicted entirely on the supposition that he was already on the Virginia side, with his entire brigade. Let us now see how "this gallant and energetic o ffi cer" performed his duty. Col. Baker returned to Coonrad's Ferry from Gen. Stone's headquarters, accom panied by his son, and on the road back lie informed Lieut. Baker that "the General had ordered him to cross and take , command." It was 10 o'clock when father and son arrived back to the Cali , fbrnia troops. The first thing which Col. ! Baker then did ger to hurry along "e rest of the brigade, wa, to dispatch a nriessen -: I and his ,tiext was t order the California battalion to begin to cross. I have al ready described the means of transpor tation, and I have now to add that it required both the scows to embark a single company. I must say, moreover, th tt the ricer at this point was about 400 yards across in a direct line. In conse quence, however, of the stiffness of the current, the distance was considerably increased by the route required, for' the men were obliged to polo the scows some distance up the Maryland shore in order that they might strike the ferry on the other. They were also obliged to pole them all the way across; and some times when they did not hit the bank they were forced to make a second cross ing. Not being members .- Cf/the Minne sota let, the best therefore they could do was to average a trip eve. - y three-quarter of an hour. While this tedious and provoking process was 3oing on, aggrava ted and elayed the ni re by the embar kation of the artillery horses, the Colonel discerned a larger scow in a canal a :hot distance up the river's bank, and gave di rection that it should be got out at once, and - while this was being done he called for axes to construct a raft. But of' axes there were none, and nearly two hours were expended in dragging the lumbering boat from the canal. While this was going on, and at a little after eleven, there came the sudden sound of firing from the Virginia side. The instankt ; col. Baker heard this signal, his eye 'dilated and his face took light like that of the war-horse at the trumpet, and pointing to a little sljallow skiff nodding at the bank, that would only hold about three persons, he called for the strongest man in the bat talion to row him at once across. He was consequently sogn afloat, and when he !at ded on the island he dispatched orders back- for the Tammany Regiment and Bunting's Battery to follow the Cali fornia Battalion, without loss of time, as they were much nearer than Ilte. remain ing troop. 4 of his brigade. He knew by the firing, of course, that the troops of Lee and Havens were engaged, - and it was necessary they should be quickly res cued fl'orri their peril. Every prompting of courage, duty, and humanity, as well as _every obligation of Gen.. Sten .'s first. - order, "regnireid'him=to hurry to the fur ther shorewith whatever force ho had, and, if he could-not aucceed.in "retiring them" from their peril, to stand by.arid do a sol dier's 40v_oir, _ Wretched-and Coritempti hie indeed must be the soul which can contemplate his pausing for his whole brigade as.an net of • proper caution; or which would attempt to cast reproach upon his noble conduct by the infamous -logic) - that if fevier ; had gone over less would have .been_ lost.- -'Creatures suehrau these do not know how 'to- -reason,upoa nature's like that of 'Col, -Briker::. Ili* only means of measurement uncoil. frem the ba:so,qualitioa they OM t - lier*liiiii, and' (lien- when best short for -any breadth - of merit, Baker was a nian,:and ir brave -elle; ii. soldier, and ~ a 'good' one; his joint orders were from his God and his-General, and in this case both agreed; so, taking as jnany'conaradee us be \had about him, be moved at once towards . -the-music=Of-the -strife;- • In the secend river - Ohannel, whioh was $ll. 50 per annum In advance (in 00 if not paid In advance than along the eastern shore; but here there was only a single scow for transpor tation, instead of two as on the Virginia side. It was of but little use, therefore, for his troops at Coonrad's Ferry to put on extra boats from the canal, since the limited accommodation in western channel oould not be made responsive to any in crease from the other. Before leaving the island, Col. Baker put Capt. Ritman of Company—in charge of the duty of forwarding the meu, and urged him to the utmost haste. Had Gee. Stone, be fore making his report, been apprised f this fact, he would probably have spared Col. B aker the following sentence which we find in the printed version of that document: " After Col. Devon's second advance, Col linker went to the Cold In person, auti it Isa matter of regret tome that no tors on cocoon Ones ho fell lot battle) of what officers and men ho chergod with the core of the boats, and insuring. the regular passage of troops. if any were charged with this duty it was net performed, for the reinforcements, no they nrrivod, found no one in command of the baits, and greet delays were thus oc casioned. Had one Officer, and a company, remained at each landing guarding guarding the boats, their full capacity would have boon made serviceable, AND SUM WENT MEN WOULD HAVE SEEN PASSED ON TO SECURE SOO. WiA out stopping to reflect upon the die ingenuousness of this style of statement and of inference,. we may hero observe that Gen. Stone defends the means of transportation, as am. le for his plans; and the blame as to Baker's being the judge, of its sufficiency or insufficiency, consequentty vanishes at once. Moreover, Col. Baker having taken' all the precautions which the case required, the question on this point rests between Stone and the alacrity of the California troops.— Why they did not make their trips as rapid• ly as the M.nnesota bargemen, I have already shown, and Gen. Stone, in treating this por tion of the subject, would have earned more credit with us for his frankness, bad be ad mitted that in addition to the laborions pol ing of the boats, the double land , ngs re quired by the intervention of the island, the difficulties in the embarkation of the hotse e' and the guns upon the crazy and leaky scow' that the single flat boat on the Virginia side was half occupied during the major portken . of the afternoon, in taking in, and sioN9s , and tenderly discharging the wounded - ; iien that were borne over to the - island froze The Virginia bank. But these were diffiettlties which Gen..-Stone probably did not.have before his mind when making his report, and commenting upon the conduct "off' the grey haired Senator and soldier who was so much his senior in experience aod years.— Certainly he could not have reminded him self of his own statement that, the enemy numbered full 4,000 when he added the fol lowing remarks.. If the infantry force bad first crossed, a difference of 1.000 nice would have been made In the infantry lino at the time of attack, PRIM-UM' SSOUOU TO DAVI GIVRIT 00 TU VICTORY." Gen. Stone, when he wrote this, knew, of course, that we had at no time more than 1,800 men cn the Virginia side. Ilei3eys,'in another pert of his report ; that -they - out numbered us three to one. The letter state• ment would concede 5,000 to the enemy, while 1.000 more would make our force on ly 2,800. If these are Gen. Stone's ideits to the relative prowess of the opposing troops, they are highly flattering to the Union vol• unteers ; but the generalship which declines such a minority to be equal to attacking a tome of such large odds, while in position, will hardly meet the approval of military men. To say the least, these incongruities show a great want of method on the ptittof Gen. Stone as a writer, and reasonably lead us to suspect that he may be equally care• less as a general. Had he failed with his figures, however, only upon paper, and the bat tle near Leesburg, aside from its carnage, could ho blotted from the.. Rebel record, we might discuss the problem of the relative prowess of the opposing troops with much more tranquil feelings. The Massachusetts Companies that were engaged with the enemy at the time of Col. Baker's crossing, were those of Col. Deveus, which had been attacked shortly after they had taken their first position, between Leesburg and the river, by two_ or three hundred Mississippi riflemen.— A vigorous resistance, however, soon drove the Mississippians to the shelter of a wood, with a considerable loss, and the men of the 15th then fell back, slowly and in good order, until they united with the reserve of the Massachusetts 20th, which had ta ken groulid about a mile from the river's bank. Here the gallant fellows made a stand, and some desultory skirmishing took place, though Col. Havens was sensi- hle, all the while, that the enemy in the encircling woods, was momontarialy in creasing in audacity and force. But the undaunted front and steady heroism with which the Massachusetts men repelled every assault, kept the battle on* its feet, " Had we butithown," said a rebel who was taken prisoner, " how. few you were in numbers, we would have captured or killed every man of you before your rein forcements came upon the ground." Col. Baker landed at the crossing which had been made common by the previous detachment; but a more ineligible place could scarcely have been selected. It was a steep, clayey bank, rising precipi tously some fifteen or twenty feet high, and had become very mirywith the tread of troops. kip this difficult assent it was found almost impossible to wheel the light, howitzers, and when the James gun, un dor Lieut. Bramliall arrived at a qter hour, it had to be dislodged,. took up apart, upon a slab, and refixed upon its carriage when above. As soon, as eel. Baker, after landing, had given the ne oessary orders for the forming, of squads, as they arrived ) he sent 'orders back fol., more artillery, and thee taking ttve comS panics, he proceeded.by a...winding:. road, throwing forward skirmishes es he went, toward the field of battle. The :Massa chusetts men had now fallen back to with in about three quarters of u mile from, the river's bank,.when-Col. Baker—came__up with them. 'Seeking. Col;- Doyens, -he COMpliine - hted him upon the brave end successful. maneuver in which he had. withstood the presence of a superior foroci anCrth'en looking steadily around, he,pre, parod to make a proper disposition' of his flow. _ • The field was an opening of about six' ocres,the woods stretching before'the positiOn taken by the Maheachusetts'troeps almeet-in • the-form of- a - crestent,- - -inid - bonding:round' so as to - threaten both mule of their line.' Within. these , woeds Were already posted tire". or'three Mississippi Regiments—all being of infantry—and ono Virginia, and, ,the: under the charge of Gen, Evans, The bat-, tle, thee far; had been Itppt, only in a fitfuls, , desultory way, the opposin4 coverts occiiiiieo. ally spitting Blinded flame, followed...by:the: sound _of .cheers,' , -;The - Rebels - Tevidently : - feared to advance iUpon our petition , for, ac, i time,in gnoraueo . of .out numbers and Or NO. SL;
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