The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-29
NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY OCTOBER 30 1861 SHEET

TO the Maryland shore in retreat While the bury party
was employed and despatched cdptain Vaughn WIN,
party OF ten men for that purpose, who remained until
sshr ana succeeded n buIyng bodies
hg upon the ground but, night coming on, he was I'M
able 70 bury the remainder
During the afternoon fuctous complaint was made by
inc rebel commander that Ind violated tho s,paations
under which the flag Of truce protected accompa
MED by threat TO retain Captain Vaughn aud his party
as prisoners OF war at once addressed note 10 tho
rebel commander deny ing the accusation threw IN new
mtfenchments and made disposition Of troops, with
view OF renewing hostites the threat was carried
mioexecution subsequently, however, Captain Vaughn
returned with his party and informed that my expla-
nation was deemed satisfactory by the rebel commander
Immediately after Capt. Vaughn returned under Of
the night commenced retreat IN pursuance OF orders
previously received from Gen. Hamilton and transported
three pieces Of artillery with caissons and ammunition
thirty SIX horses and tho eleven companies OF infantry
under my command, numbering some seven hundred
men, In good order to the Maryland Shore without any
casualties or loss whatsoevor and, completing the retreat
nj Twelve O'Clock, immediately passed my compliments
TO the robel commander in tho form OF four shells from
Captain Vaughn's guns, which had been placed in bat
terry upon the high ground overlooking the canal and
river. VaH
During tho retreat was reinforced by Ave companies
Of the Massachusetts Second under tho command Of Cap
tain Tucker who remained upon this side Of the river
whore stationed him with his command In support Of
the battery and ordered to camp tho companies Of the
Nineteenth and Twentieth, who greatly exhausted,
having been constantly employed in the intrenchmens,
buryng the dead, removing the wounded and transport
ing the artillery to and from the island.
the Eighth Virginia regiment under command of Colonel
Jennifcr, and tho Seventeenth and Eighteenth Mssis
sipp regiments, with squadron of horse and battery,
the whole under command of General Evans.
Our loss In killed, wounded and missing cannot be
determined large numbers Of wounded and unwound
cd wero drowned when the boats were swampcd as
well as in the attempts TO swim the during
the night and reports yet have been made 10 me-
The Fifteenth Massachusetts, Twentieth, Baker California
regiment and part Of the Tanmany regiment lost large
number OF men, who were made prisoners Colonel zee
and Major Revcre, Of the Twentieth and Colonel Ooggs
well, Of tho Tammany regiment, are reported missing
Lieutenant Colonel Ward Of the Fifteenth Massachusetts,
was severely wounded We have lost two howitZcrs and
one rifed cannon belonging to Captain vaughns Rhode
Island battery, and number of small armssay 800
with equipments. shall make further report Of the
killed that were identified before burial
have to report that the remnant of tho Tammany
giment, under command Of Major Bon deserted its post
the ntrcncmonts the island ut early hour in the
forenoon Of the 22d and passed to the Maryland Shore in
dsobedcncc Of orders, while was engaged in arranging
for tho removal Of tho wounded and the burial OF the
dead.
close this report with Justice our troops who
fought valanty, without commenting upon the causes
which led to their defeat and complete rout.
The means OF transportation for advance in support
for retreat, criminay deficient, especially when
consider the facility for creating proper for such
purposes at our disposal The place for landing upon the
Virginia shore was most unfortunately selected,
being at point whore the shore with great abrupt
for distance OF hundred and fifty yards
at angle Of at least thirty five degrees and studded
with trees, being entirely impossible to attiery in
fantry in line. At the summit the surface is nnduatng
where the enemy placed IN force out of view and
cut down troops with murderous fire. which we
could not return with any effect The entire island was
also commanded by the enemys artillery and rifles in
fact unfortunate position could have been forced
upon VS. by the enomy for making attack much less
selected by ourselves. Within half mile upon either
side Of the point selected landing could have been
fected, whore could have been placed upon equal
terms with the enemy it necessary effect land
ing from tho island. My Judgment however cannot APP
prove of that policy which multpcs the number of
crossings without any compensation in securing
manding positions thereby.
Respectfully submitted. EDWARD w. KINKS,
Colonel Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers COM
handing brigade.
NoTE-EsTIMATE LOSS.
Died. ...................... $50
Wounded. $50
Prisoners. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 500
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ............... 900
Our dead and many Of the wounded were stripped of
shoes coats and caps and their bodies r1ed of vaabes
by the enemy. Federal troops engaged, about 2,1O0