The Nevada Democrat., 1861-11-26

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The st. Louis Republican of October 3Oth
says: A writer, who occupies The leading
column of the National Intclligencer with
an account of the battle of Edwards Ferry,
contends that, with the exception of the
matter of transportation, the affair was well
managed throughout, and in the main ac-
complished Gen. Stones aud Gen. Banks
plans.
Gen. Bakers force consisted Of LOO
men-composed of the Massachusetts, 10Th,
700, three companies of the Massachusetts,
10th, the California Regiment and two COM
panies of the Tammany Regiment. There
were taken along two howit7ers, Ricketts,
United States battery aud one Iames's rifed
cannon of The Sd Rhode Island battery.
Near the battle-ground are, he says, two
ferries-Conrad's at the head Of Harriaon
Island. and Edwards's six miles below, on
the direct road from POolesville to Lees
burg. Stones plan was to divert attention
from both these points by making feint
five miles above Edwards's Ferry. This
feint was accomplished by sending over Ba-
ker with his men, to draw off the main force
of the enemy. Meanwhile, as soon as It was
seen that it was successful. Gen. Stone was
to cross at Edwards's Ferry. All was exc
cuted as designed. Baker crossed above,
and Stone, when he found him engaged,
crossed at Edwards's Ferry. There, as this
writer argues, "this little force of Baker be-
came, as it were, fOrlorn hope, which at
fearful risk aud result 10 themselves, pur-
chased immunity and safe CROSSING for the
main body" This was on Sunday night.
On Monday and Tuesday, Gen. Banks was
moving up bis division from Darnestown.
nine miles below PoOlesville, and on
Wednesday began crossing TO join General
Stone. The work was within few hours
of its completion, when an an order from
headquarters (Gen. Mcclellan with his staff
being on the spot) directed the entire force
to recross and take up their position on the
Maryland shore. The writer calls this q
change of plan, and adds that it is not in
bis power TO explain it nor his purpose TO
criticse it.
This statement is designed to remove all
blame from Gen. Stone, but confesses ter
rible mistake in the matter of transporta-
tiOn, without accounting for it, Unaccount-
ed for, it leaves Gen. Stone to explain how he
should deliberately form the plan ascribed
TO him, without making all the provisions
Baker at its head, from the destruction
which was inevitable under the circumstan-
ces. A forlorn hope of 100 men, even in
the case supposed, lie, il strikes US, large
sacrifice, and certainly needless one. Gen.
Scott, is, we suppose, the person intended
by headquarters" as it is added that Nc.
Clellan was on the ground, which specially
exempts him from all implication.
In some quarters Col. Baker has been &C.
cused of rasbness and of exceeding his In
structions. On this point, the New York
World says:
Col. Baker was in charge of the troops
on the Virginia side, but when the attack
was at its height il was plain that the ene-
my Outnumbered him three to one he fell
pierced with bullets and most Of his troops
were shot down, taken prisoners, or driven
TO watery grave in the Potomac. 1t is
useless 10 represent, as has been done, that
this occurred because Col. Baker exceeded
bis instructions. 1t may be very true that
that lamented officer was previously order
ed not to engage in battle in case he found
the enemy in force, bnt it sounds like mock.
cry. II the enemy were In superior force,
of course he would be attacked and with
the Potomac behind him, and with no
means of crossing it but with two or three
wretcbed scows, he had no alternative but
TO accept battle, and sell bis own life and
the lives Of his soldiers as dearly as posi-
BILE. Col. Baker was not at fault. The
blunder was not his. 1t lies with those who
sent him with an inadequate force, and un.
provided with the means of direct retreat,
if necessary, TO the main army Of rs, 900 on
the other bank. The people will zee to it
that this miserable error, which oil can un-
derstand, attaches to just where il belongs,
among living men, and not to its victim
now speechless in his coffin.