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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
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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
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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;