Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-05


that Gems. Banks and Stone inundated BY the
threatening front presented by the Onfederates
had recrOssed the river on Wednesday nigat ans
we're all day yesterday on the Maryland side.
The Retreat OF Ihe FederaIs frsm Ed.
wards Ferry.
The special Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Lqursr gives the following account of
the retreat Of BANKS and SroSE from Edward 5
Ferry:
Gen. McClellsn's headquarters were AZ Ed wards
Ferry on Thursday morning. Since closing nv
dispatch yenterday Generals Mcclellan and Banks
returned from the Virginia side of the Potomac
and at about ten o'clock rode with a stroog cavalry
escort up TO Conrad's Ferry. Our troops had all
been 6ought from the Island over TO the Maryland
shore, and the Virginia shore was thickIy covered
with the COnfsderstes. They made no attemp. to
fire upon our troops but were very bold in showing
themselves. No shots were fred by our men. and
after consultation sll Of our troops except picket
guard, were marched TO PooIesville. The appear
ancs of some Of the was the most distressing
sight We ever witnessed.
Many Of them were nearly naked some had on
nothing but overcoats some only pair Of pants
and but few with shoes; most Of them were with
out arms and ammunition Most of the wounded
had been sent TO POolesville and 70 the nearest
camps. Captain Vaughn, who was sent over with
flag Of truce, TO get permission to bring off the
dead and render the wounded what assistance was
in our power, had not returned up to the hour
which we write eleven A NJ and is no doubt sent
to the rear prisoner. --- ---
About four P. NJ, yesterday, the Confederates
showed themselves in force upon the hill about two
miles and q half towards Leesburg where they had
thrown up dirt fort Ii was soon fouRd that the
had two regiments there. and at the sane time q
large force was reported advancing on our LETT on
the left of Goose Creek from the directian of Fair
fax Court House Our force was again prepared
TO receive them. Gems Mcclellan and Banks who
had just arrived, took up position on the high bluff
on this side From there we could see the whole
country before Us for two or three miles back and
some eight up and down the country.
Our batteries were ranged along the hill. and
Gen. Mcclellan on foot. with large marine glass
watching the whole field. Every moment he was
issuing orders TO one battery to watch that road
and that field aud to be ready TO fire soon as th,
word was given. "A large force Of infantry were
called up and marched to the river, some of them
upon the double quick.
Several batteries were taken down, and fleet OF
canal boats were run out from the canal into n,
river, to cross the men in. Every fifteen minutss
messengers would come over and report frsm out
piekets, and it soon became evident that We Woul1
not be attacked before morning, and the enemy
were only drawing up their reinforcemeuts in or
der to surround our little force, and erhe- take al
prisoners or else ensct the Conrsd's Ferry disaster
over again.
About P. n orders were issued to have the
ed to go over were unlOaded and returned 20 their
camps. Then com nenced 4 work Of bringing
them back safely. II was done by canal boa g
They could 5be loaded and b. n pOled acr. Sc
landing halt mile below the point from where the,
started. ALI reached here at A. NJ and ths Sd.
pearance of some of them was psinfal indeed. Thy
bad stood in line of battle from II TO IA tours with
out moving, and without water or food They had
no sleep for two days aad nghts. and were nearly
exhausted Some dragged their musksts along b,
the end, and seemed TO sleey as they walked along.
The minnesota First were the nearest exhausted
of any but we heard no grumbling All seemed
thankful tn have got over same not q man was in
jured in the reerossng nor any baggage LOST every
thing came over safe. Generals German and Stone
personally Experimental the crossing and were the
last TO leave General German has beeuIn the sad
die for two days and nights 90
About daylight a squad Of four or five men came
running down TO the shore, and with our glasses,
were seen BY our men, who found themselves LETT
and were afraid they we're lost A boat was sent
over after them. The Confederatss had not found
out that we had retired, or At least had not made
their appearance then. - r
About nine O'Clock their cavalry scouts Wer
seen ranging along the OPPDsite hills but did not
approach nearer than mile, and none were seen
on the fort. wood to our right distant about two
miles is reported to contain the Mississippi brigade
who were in the battle at Balls Bluff.
We are watching mOmentsrily for some impor-
tant move IL now looks "a though we would have
the grand engagement of the campaign near here
The COntederates had largs force as5night, less
than three miles of.
TiDslUe O'cIOcS: NoOa-A force of Co5f,derat
can now be seen mounting guns upon the forts.
They have Jour pieces, but have as. yet made no
othe- demonstrations. -
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH
Edwards Ferry, Oct %. P. M.-The rebels dur |
ing this afternoon were busly engaged in and |
around their fort between Leesburg nd the river
fronting E1ward's Ferry. They had previously re-
moved their ordnance, but from the movements OBJ /
served, it judged they were engaged in replac-
ing them. The fort is located on the crest OF she /
first range of HIS from the river several hundred
yards to the left Of piece of woods with breast
work, constructing it well, and extending into or
n resr of tn woods
To the rear of this elevation is Leeeburg. Par-
les Of hersemen have at diIerent times during the
lay, come up TO the fertilization, and viewed our
batteries ranged along the hills above the ferry.
Between the fort, hill and Leesbmg evidently
asts large rebel force The smoke from theirr
amp fires has been discoyersbe all day. 1t is BEL
ieyed, however, that their main body lies near to
nd directly opposite the ferry. They have not ex
osed Themselves in any force, but their piekets
nd small accommodating parties have several
ines been seen. During the afternoon train
Onsisting Of about one hundred wagons appeared
q = more distant hill to the right Of Leesburg, 4
nd eneamped here under the lee Of piece Of ,
woods. - = E~z ff
Towards dusk 4 considerable body Of cavalry 8
Tere seen approaching farm house Dear the riv-
r a mile above the terry. where, during the after
Don, several bodies of officers had paid visits. It
thought that this house has been occupied as a :
eadQuarteFs Of some brigade or division.
The regiments engaged in the affair Of Monday
ave not yet completed their reports Of the Losses
lstained. They will be made as perfect as posi-
Ie. and be retsrned tomorrow. ,
The various regiments located in this region are
ldeGvoring to make themselves as comfortable ~ :
lie limited facilities of the cOuptry will admit
STILL LATER Last night our scouts went over
e river and picketed the shore for half mile back
birth of Goose Creek Not sign Of man or horse
as heard, except the sPlashing Of the 1srs Of q !
'at some distance up the riveF, sr