The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
SAINT PAUL FRIDAI DECEMBER 6 1861
REPORT Or COLONEL DANA.

], REPORT Or COLONEL DANA.
REPORT or THE OPERATIONS OF FIRST REGI-
& mENr MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS DURING The
D CROSSING or THE POTOMAC AND OCoUPA
n rroN OF THE VIRGINIA. sIDE AT EDWARD 8
s FERRY, RRoA SUNDAY, ocTOBsR 10Th TO
d THURSDAY, OCT. 24rH, 1861.
HEAD.QUARrERs FIRST RDslhESr MINNEsorAl
] VOLUNTEERS. CAMP NEAR EDWARDS FERRY,
= October 26th, 1861.
Carr. JOHN H PELL. cting.Assstant Adju-
& tant General, Germans Brigade.
1t was not my intention to make de-
tailed report OF the part taken by this regi
ment in the jaie advance made into Vir-
ginia by Edwards Ferry, but being called
on by the Brigadier General Commanding,
] now proceed to submit it as follows:
On Sunday last, at about one o clock P.
NJ, received verbal order by an Aid-de-
Camp from Brigadier General German. to
turn ont my regiment Immediately ard
march it to Edwards Ferry, about two
miles distant.
At this time there were three Companies,
viz: Company A, Capt. Coates, Company
B, Capt. Downie, and Company G, Capt.
Messick, on detached service as picke's, ex-
tending along the Potomac from three to
twelve miles below the Ferry. The re-
naming seven companies CT the regiment
we're under arms and ready for marching in
a very few minutes, with thirty rounds Of
ammunition in each mans cartridge box.
After being displayed in line on the bills,
in full view and easy range of the Virginia
shore, for some time, received an order to
march to the river bank at the ferry, and
send two companies across 10 the three
small fat boats which were there Having
taken position along the bank 80 as to cover
the crossing with the fire of our rifles,
Captains Morgan and Lester with their
companies, E and K, were ordered to cross,
which they did in gallant style under cover
of sharp fire from several pieces Of srtil.
Iery posted on the bills in our rear, landing
on the enemy's shore at dusk, and finding
bis cavalry pickets still on the bank when
they were only fifty yards from it.
They depioyed as skirmishers along the
shore, and after remaining there about fif-
teen % NJ es, was ordered to recall them
The Bugle sounded twice before they re.
embarked, and although greatly disappoint.
ed at not being allowed to remain, they
were in good spirits. The regiment was
then orderei back to camp, and the men
sent to bed with orders to be ready for
marching at moments notice.
was at bed only three hours, when at
~ O'Clock A. n, on Monday morning,
received an order to have the regiment
aroused WITHOUT noise, breakfasted, and at
daybreak marched to the Ferry, with KNAPP
sacks, canteens. and one days rations.
Having reached the landing and received
instructions to cross the river, Captains
Farrell and Smith, with their companies, G
and D, were ordered to cross first and de-
ploy as skirmishers on the bluff on the Vir-
ginia side, about four hundred yards from
the landing. The boats afforded passage
for only two companies at a trip, and the
first crossing was made 10 about nine min.
utes. The regiment crossed by boat loads
as rapidly as possible, and at about halt
past eight o'clock it was formed in line OF
battle, its left resting on Goose Greek, and
with the two companies deployed as skir-
mishers about four hundred yards in front.
This position we continued to hold for three
days, during great portion of which it
ralned violently and was very cold. Com.
panies A, B and u arrived from detached
service during Monday night. About the
middle of that night, after twenty-five hun
dred troops, including thirty-six cavalry
and two pieces of artillery, had crossed, or
ders we're issued tc recr0ss the river and for
Minnesota to hold the position and cover
the crossing. With this purpose the regi.
ment was formed and kept 10 line under
arms, whilst other troops were crossing, but
the order was cOuntermanded 10 the course
OF the night, after about half OF the troops
had crossed, and they were again recrossed
to the Virginia side with others to reinforce
them.
The regiment was heavily drawn on for
outlying pickets and for fatigue parties of
men to work the boats During one day
and night i've companies were on picket
guard in different positions in advance. and
on Tuesday afternoon company Il, COM
manded by I'd Lieutenant nAlssg, was at
tackled BY the enemy, in foroes With the loss
OF one private killed and ooe woauded,
heretofore reported. ..~.A
About halt nst nine o'clock on We'd
nesday night, ! was sent foieby Brigader
General ksene, wh6.had assumed comma nd
Of the Xhole fofce, which was then upwards
OF four thousand men, nearly two hundred
horses, ,lincluding those belonging to mount
ed ofhcers) and two pieces Of artillery,-and
informed BY him that be had received or
ders TO retire. snd bad selected me to su-
Perlntend the embarkstion Of the lett wing,
and detailed the 1st Minnesota to cover the