The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-11-08
THE BALLS BLUFF DISASTER.
GEN. STONES OFFICIAL REPORT.


hETOnl.
The Whole Trssh of the Matter.
HEADQUARTERS CoRps OF OBSERVATION,
October %, 1861.
GENERAL: On the Goth instant, being
advised from headquarters of Gen. MCCALL S
movement to Drainsville to reconnoitre and
draw out the intentions of the enemy at
Leesburg, | went towards Edwards Ferry,
at l o'clock P. NJ, with Gen. Gorman's s
Brigade, Seventh Michigan, two troops of
the Van Allen Cavalry, and the Putnam
Rangers, while four companies of the Fif-
teenth Massachusetts Volunteers were sent
to Harrison's Island, under Col. Devons,
who then had one company on the island,
| and Col. Lee, with battalion of the Mas
sachusetts Twentieth, section of the
Rhode Island Battery and Tammany Reg
iment, was sent to Conrad's Ferry. A
section of Bunting's Battery and Ricketts,
Battery were already on duty respect
lively at Edwards and Conrad's Ferries.
General McCalps movements had evi-
IDENTITY attracted the attention of the enemy,
a regiment of infantry having appeared
from the direction of Leesburg, and taken
shelter behind hill about one mile and
half from our position at The ferry.
General German was ordered to deploy
his forces in view of the enemy, and in
so doing no movement of the enemy was
excited. Three fiat boats were ordered,
and at the same time shell and spherical
case shot were thrown into the place of
the enemy's concealment. This was done
to produce an impression that a crossing
was to be made. The shelling at Edwards S
Ferry and launching of the boats induced
the quick retirement of the force seen
there, and three boat loads of thirty
five men each from the First Minnesota
crossed and recrossed the river, each trip
occupying about six or seven minutes.
While this was going on, the men evinced
by their cheering that they were ready and
determined to f ght calamity when the
opportunity was presented. At dusk Gen.
Gorman's brigade and the Seventh Michi-
gan returned to camp, leaving the Tamma-
ny Regiment and the companies of the
Fifteenth Massachusetts, and artillery at
Conrad's Ferry in position, awaiting the
return of scouts. Meanwhile Gen. Stone
remained at Edwards Ferry. At IL
o'clock P. M, Lieutenant Howe, quarter
master of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, re-
ported that scouts under Captain Phil
brick had returned to the island, having
been within one mile ofLeesburg, and there
discovered in the edge of wood an en-
campment of thirty tents. No pickets
were out any distance, and he approached
to within twenty-five rods without being
even challenged. ..,
Orders were then instantly sent to Col.
Devons to cross four companies to the Vir-
ginia shore, and march silently under cover
of night to the position of the camp referred
to, to attack and destroy it by daybreak,
pursue the enemy lodged there as far as
would be prudent, and return Immediately
to the island, his return to be covered by
company of the Massachusetts, Twentieth, to
be posted over the landing place. Col. De-
vOns was ordered to make close observa-
tion of the position, strength and movements
of the enemy, and in the event OF there being
no enemy there visible, to hold on in Sc
cure position until he could be strength
ened Sufficiently to make valuable recon-
noisance. ...-
At this time orders were sent to Colonel
Baker to send the First California regiment
to Conrads Ferry, to arrive there at sun
rise, and to have the remainder of his brig
ade ready to move early. ...., ...... ......
Leut. Col. Wood, of the Fifteenth Mas.
saChusetts, was also ordered to move with a
battalion to the river bank, opposite Harri-
sons Island by daybreak. Two mounted
howitzers, in charge of Lieut.. French, of
Ricketts, battery, was ordered to the tow
path of the canal opposite Harrison's Is
land. -.
Col. Deyons, In pursuance of his orders,
crossed, and proceeded to the point indica-
ted, Col. Lee remaining on the bluff with one
hundred men to cover his retreat. To dis.
tract attention from Col. Devon's move.
ments, and to make reconnaissance in the
direction Of Leesburg from Edwards Ferry,
directed Gen. German to throw across the
river, at that point, two companies Of the
First Minnesota under cover of fire from
Ricketts, battery, and sent out party of
thirty one of the Van Allen Cavalry under
Major Mix, accompanied by Capt. Chas.
Stewart, Assistant Adjutant General, Capt
Murphy, and Lieuts. Pierce and Gouraud,
| with others, to advance along the Leesburg
road until they should come to the vicinity
of a battery which was known to be on that
road, and then turn to the left and examine
the heights between that and Goose Greek,
and see If any of the enemy were post.d in
the vicinity, find out their numbers as near
as possible, their disposition, examine the
country with reference to the passage of
troops to the Leesburg and Georgetown
Turnpike, and return rapidly to cover be-
hind the skirmishers of the Minnesota First.
This reconnaissance was most gallantly con-
Quoted, and the party proceeded along the
Leesburg road, nearly two miles from the
ferry, and when near the position Of the hid