The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-10-31

way attributable to the gallant Col Ba-
ker, whose life was sacrificed under mil
itary necessity or by military blunder
The simple facts of the case are that
Col Baker was ordered to cross the Poto-
mac and drive the enemy from Leesburg.
He crossed and found the enemy three
times as strong as was anticipated He
could not retreat if he had been disposed to,
because there was but one boat within his
reach. He had to fight, or tamely surren
der his command prisoners of war. He
fought and fell bathed in blood from a
score Of gun-shot wounds. And now to
shield living generals from the just re-
sponsibillty of their error, newspaper cor
respondents insinuate an impeachment Of
the conduct of the gallant and lamentcd
Baker.
The truth is the public are unable to
discover any sufficient object for that ex-
petition across the river, and especially of
the urgency Of the reasons for under
taking il without sufficient ferriage and in
Ignorance of the strength of the enemy's
forces.
The effect of the movement was disas-
trous, in the loss OF life as well as 10 the
compulsory retreat of division of our
army from the soil of Virginia. 1t con-
t'nued the prestige of victory with the en-
envy, and brought in question the truth
fulness of that one brlee speech made by
Gen. Mcclellan to his army, TO the effect
that they should know neither defeat nor
retreat, but only victory under bis com
mand.
We make the following extract from
the correspondence Of the Chicago Tri-
bune, which furnishes the only account of
the object Of the advance which we have
Seen
The number Of killed, wounded and
missing at Edwards Ferry will probably
amount t. nearly one half of Col Bakers
whole command engaged There are now
115 wounded on our hands, 7of the dead
were taken from the field and buried un-
der flag of truce; 40 or 30 at least were
drowned IN attempting to re-eross to the
Maryland side on the one scow in which
all originally crossed from the island The
boat was swamped will the first load on the
retreat. On all hands the conduct of the
men is greatly praised Gen Mcclellan
found them not at all demoralized, but
most eager for a second fight
II was never intended to hold Leesburg.
but only to drive the enemy ont of II.
and protect our right flank from being
closed In upon. Our men succeeded. in
deed, IN eiiectlng Judgment upon the
Virginia side, and they certainly dsap-
pointed the rebels, who had hoped to drive
them all headlong into the river During
the night after the engagement, and the
next day, our men We're throwing up en-
trenchments on the shore to hold what
they bad gained, and Gen. Banks sent
over few men to help them. But the
rebel batteries overlooked ours, and were
So strong that in the fear lest we might nj
an evil hour be assailed and oyerpowered
with Insufficient means of retreating
across the river, 1t was decided wholly "a
abandon the Virginia soil. and this has
been done. There are now no troop.
across the Potomac, although Gen. Banks
commands full $4,000 on the MARYLAND
side. This is the explanation Of Genera
Banks withdrawal at headquarters.
When Gen Baker received his order to
cross and hold the position, he said, 4I'n
DOT, but 1t my death warrant" The
order was found saturated with his blood
lie received nine bullets, one bucksho,
and two bayonet wounds There were
holes In his hat and coat, and all over his
body 1t was a desperate fight. One
captain leading our men killed three rebels
Before leaving the house of his FRIEND
Col. Webb, two days before the battle
Gen. Baker arrived, and treasured hin
that he would never see him again, n.
within A. hours there would be a battle
IN which he should fall
here is great difficulty In decidino
whether Stone or Baker deserves the re.
tsponsiblity OF the disaster. Both, proba
biy, arc sonie~h ut 10 blame.
1t seems clear that under The orders \,
Gen. Stone Col Baker had no alterpat;,.
but TO light or surrender, as he could no,
retreat.
Capt. Young gives the following thrill
ing account OF the finale of an expeditio,
which seems to have been undertake,
without any Of the usual precautions of ,
military advance, and Ms appears, undel
an utter miseonccption Of the strength o
the enemy:
On Sunday evening Gen. Stone be;ne
yara.,aI~ "a that 40