The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-28

OUR PooLEsvILLE CORRESPONDENCE.

THE FIGHT At BALLS BLUFF.
OUR POOLESyILLE CORRESPONDENCE.
PooLEsvfLiK, Nd, Oct. 20, 1851.
1Re Slaughter Of the California RementAnother Accom-,
efhe Action of October 2l-Ths Companies Engaged ae
z1os, Absent Othsr Dusy-Their Officers, DC. dc.
The Cali ornia regiment is cut to pieces Colonel Ba
ker is killed Two three hundred brave men, more OF
loss have been murdered by the frariciaal hands Of
treason drowned IL daring attempt to swim across
the river Thirteen officers killed. missing or pris
oners; those who have retur9ed nearly all wounded
Among the severely wounded is Lieutenant Colonel Wis
tar most brave and daring officer, who received bull
let in the sword arm.
Be 1t known that this was no Bull run affair, The be-
reaved and unhappy families, whose sons and brothers
have been slaughtered in the ranks Of the California reg
ment need not blush for their conduct In that hopeless
and murderous encounter. They fought with Spartan
courage against times their number and fought with
deadly effect
The tho ferry Is rapid and at tho time Of this
expedition had been swollen by rains that in the
shallow place the water was seven feet deep; in others
seventeen. On the Virginia side is precpitous bank
covered with dense woods except narrow opening cut
ahrough road. Up this steep bank after crossing,
Ahe troops had 10 make thee way, and nature never
provided a moro perfect place Of ambuscade.
The transportation consisted Of three scows which
paration that of for this portion of Genea
stones ADVANCE as have already II termed by the
newspapers in flaming capitals In those wretched boats
portion Of the battalion transported to small
island the process occupying several hours and thence
they crossed to the mainland scrambng mp the steep
bank bcst hey could They reached the top and de-
poyed two companies skirmishers, when suddenly,
they attacked in front and on both TANKS by an
overpowerpg concealed foe The forest swarmed with
rebel caviar and Infantry. Tho concealed behind
trees, and scores OF marksmen had even climbed the
trees and there hidden by tho branches, poured down
storm OF bullets upon the officers every one of whom
they seemed determined kill Thousands Of Union troops
tho Maryland shore watched the bloody spectacle
eager to to the Of their brave comrades but
transportation not be had, and they could only
took on, powerless witnesses of the slaughter
While this deadly work going with those who
had succeeded in crossing the remainder of the battalion
going over as rapidly as tho boats would them
but now the enemy, concealed on the brow Of tho bank
poured voey after voey into these beats, which, at
every return loaded with the dead and wounded Pc
fore the last Of the battalion could get the advance
portion Of 1t had been completely cut TO pieces and It's
officers disabled killed captured. Could Colonel Baker
haye had his entire brigade with him there doubt
he would have driven everything before him. As 1t was
the case was hopeless.
THE DEATH OF COLONEL BAKER.
Colonel Baker killed early in the fight. In fun
UNIFORM "regulatpn' nat and feather, and mount
ed on his horse, he was conspicuous mark for tho
bloodthsty traitors He of the finest appearing
mon in full uniform and mounted that have seen in the
service. Entirely regardless OF personal safety he led
and cheered On his He remarked to those around
him: "a rascal up that has fred five six
ames and the rascal IN the tree speedily brought
down by well directed ball. Shortly after this Colonel
Baker was surrounded by body Of rebel cavalry and
taken prisoner the right wing the battalion charg
cd with the bayonet routed the cavalry killed
Of them and recapturcd their colonel.
But few minutes had elapsed, however, before TALL
WliSkerS.
rushing from behind tree with huge revolver in his
hand, and, placing the weapon almost against tn,
Colonel's head, inflicted mortal wound Not satisfied
with his deadly work he fired the second bail, while ST.
simultaneously the body was pierced with four bullets
GALLANT ooSDrtr NEW FORK cArrMs-HE AvEscEs
coLoNELs DEATH, AND EEsct Is the BODY.
Captain Louis Beria Of New York city, commanding
Company G, seeing the assassination Of Colonel Baker
and shot him, dead on the spot with his
revolver. No had tho brave Colonel
fallen than the body surrounded and seized by the
traitors who dragging it to the woods to BIO robbed
when Captain Berial stepped out and exclaimed ~ am
ON bows Then aboui twenty ] ep 60 s uoon
from his own and portion from ether companies follow
Cd the gallant captain and most desperate hand
fight resulted in the victory of Bera Tho body of the
Colonel was rescued and as tendcry as circumstances
would permit, was sent across tho stream. The men
around it had faced death without nnching; bat when
they behed the bleeding corpse Of their brave and be-
loved colonel their eyes we're saased, and their bronzed
faces wet with 1t taken to Poosvie, the
headquarters Of General Stone and Wednesday was
ssent TO Washington under escort.
REPORTED GENERAL JoussToN
Before Col Baker fell singular incident occurred, and
the belief Ii here that the rebel General Johnston
was killed. A man with red horse came riding from
tho woods and exclaimed, orally me, boys,' Know
ing that ohor Union regments were to cross another
ferry, some Of our men were deceived and followed the
horseman but they led sheep 10 the slaughter,
sfor they had proceeded but few rods when deadly
voiiey was poured Into them, killing many and hastily
dispensing the rest. I'm few minutes the APP
peared again. to try the game Col Baker CHANGED
to see him and exclaimed "Good heaven there is John
sston, what is he doing thereY'
Immediately half dozen muskets were levcled at the
person thus pointed out and he fell from his horse as
70 S ana is heo @ h eu@
brought down was none other thin the distinguished
rebel general This report requires con-maon but
ssuch is the case the incident reflects little credit on the
.generalshp Oh the rebel who, instead OF dcvotng him
self to tho movements Of his troops, womb thus
needlessly expose his life in playing small trick to de-
-ceive a few men TO their death.
THE FIGHT.
Tho fight lasted for several hours II commenced
about two o'clock p NJ and continued until after dark
Any systematic retreat rendered impossible there
was no transportation The beats were flied with the
dead and wounded. The groans OF the poor sufferers
were hcartrcnding TO the stouthearted soldiers tho
Maryland side, who were utterly unable to do anything
in their behalf.
The officers being nearly all disabled killed captured
tho were left to light as best they could, w,hou.
Lieutenant Colonel Wstar disabled before
tho fall Of Colonel Bakec and The Aajor absent.
Colonel Coggswcl, of the Iammaay regiment took com
mand, but was soon shot, still the men stood their
iground contcndng against the NEST fearful odds Regi
after regiment Of fresh rebel troops rushing
in deadly vocys, while the tce Still swarmed with
1riemen who made the air black with bullets aimed at
our devoted little band. AT times the contendng parties
within four five feet Of each other, still
stood steadily returning their fire or punging at them
with the bayonet. SO near they at time that
our actually caught
4 REBEL LIEUTENANT PRISONER
by sciZing him from the ranks and dragging him OF.
They kept him, and sent him the river and
that night he was kept at our camp. He is aher
slender built and delicate appearing man-in fact almost
ga love Of man"-about twenty five years old. His Iea
class CAL aud he exhibits much intelligence His
hands small that no handcufs could be found
which he would not slip Immediately He was very
much alarmed and evidently entertained most horrible
ideas Of the ferocy Of hs custodans We have from
rebel pickots that the belief prey ais among their troops
that the California regiment carry rcvoyers and huge
bowie knives In addition to hcir rifles and the
delicate young prisoner in question probably sup
posed he hal fallen into the hands Of man eaters
Major Parrish visited him aud asked him il he
annoyed by the crowd Of soldiers that sar-
rounded his tent He appeared TO be quito nervous and
replied that he did not know what they would with
him."
.sOh replied the Major yon need feel no ears for
your personal safety The men have disposition to
harm yoa would not be allowed 10 so IL they had
erhay only curiosity nat ypur mon Sond