Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-29
letter from Hon. Amnsn Walker.


borhood, visited Edwards Ferry twice, saw
Gems. Mcclellan and Banks frequently. 1
think had good opportunity to learn The
opinions of officers and men, from highest to
lowest, in regard TO the conduct of our troops
in that unfortunate affair and can say conf.
IDENTIFY that all agree that the battle was fought
with great bravery. That the result was a
total defeat, is no fault of either the officers or
men on the ground, that the loss was terrific,
is not to be charged TO the cowardice or bad
conduct OF those who fought the battle. The
whole blame, and heavy blame it certainly
is, rests on those who planned The enterprise.
venturcd the opinion in my previous let
ter, that the movement was ga blunder," and
now it is everywhere admitted to have been
80. Gen. Mcclellan never ordered the move
ment. Gen. Banks knew nothing OF it. 1t
came like clap of thunder upon them. Nc
Celan was at Washington, and started at
once for The scene OF conflict, He telegraphed
to General Banks at once, who instantly put
his troops in motion. am at his
headquarters near Datnestown, and lad OPP
portunity to notice, with great admiration,
how radidy and easily large army would be
nut in motion AT five O'Clock the tents were
all standing in quietness, at seven the ground
was cleared aud the troops with loud huzzas
were on the march. No one knew the cause
of the movement at the moment, bu; the gen
eral himself.
The responsibility rests upon Gen. Stone
and Col Baker or both. The great point OF
delinquency consisted in attempting to send
some nineteen hundred troops over the Poto-
mac in two old canal boats, the bottom OF one
of which came out as it was returning with
wounded men, and twelve OF them, dear tel
lows, whose wounds had been dressed, found
awatery grave. The other boat, as you know
was swamped with the first load OF retreating
soldiers and about one hundred were thrown
into the stream, most of them 10 perish.
When these troops were ordered across the
river, it was well known that there was, or
might be, very large body Of the enemy in
the neighborhood OF Leesburg. OF course,
provision should have been made for rapid
transportation over, so that all might be landed
in season ; and Tor their safe return, in case OF
being compelled to retreat. More consummate
stupidity never was manifested, than in at
tempting TO convey such body of men
across Il great river with such totally made
uuate means. 1t is sad and dishearteuing
to contemplate such wretched management.
By the way, it is understood by many that
Gen. Banks has the entire command OF all the
forces on the right wing Of the Potomac.
This is not true. He has only the command
of a certain division assigned him, and Gen.
Stone commands an Independent brigade.
visited the hospital in which our soldiers
are placed, very often, while at Poolesville. l
found them just as comfortable as men can be,
in such circumstances. The building is an
excellent one for the purpose. Their heds
were comfortable and clean, and DR.. Bates
and his assistants were assiduous and atten-
tive. The patients were remarkably cheerful,
aud seemed 10 bear up nobly. When l lett at
II A. NJ, ON Thursday, all seemed doing well,
and when went to bid Col. Ward goodbye,
found him engaged in writing. AT the time
dressing wounds, assisted by DR.. Haywood of
the twentieth regiment, and Lieut.. Col. Ward s
limb was amputated by them DR.. Bates was
on the Mary land shore, also employed in
dressing, amputating, &c. l am glad to say
recent illness.
was quite gratiied to find that the men
of the fifteenth regiment, notwithstanding
the terrible disasters that had befallen them,
were in the best OF spirits, and ready for an
other encounter, if necessary. They do not
appear to be at all demoraized. They have
entire confidence in their officers, and more
confidence in themselves than ever before.
feel very DESTROYS that the PEG. lie oi Wor-
cester county should appreciate the bravery OF
their favorite regiment and be fully conscious
of the honor they have done themselves and
their country
don't know whether l mentioned in my
last the case of Lieut.. Greene of company +
who refused to surrender. Alter being sur
rounded be shot one of the rebels with his re,
volver, and was instantly fred upon by anoth-
er and fell. Lieut.. Staples was struck by a
ball, which tore out his breast pocket and
smashed his pipe and was afterwards thrown
over the bank by the falling OF wounded sol
der and somewhat bruised. Sergeant Doane
Of company T was struck on the head with a
ball, and bled pr9fusely. Two balls passed
Oh -, 81 !.
ball, which fatened one of his buttons, and
made Il slight confusion. Quartermastel
Howe was actively engaged during the whole
battle, went over with the first five companies
and acted as Col Devens' only staff officer un
til the other companies arrived. He receiv
ed one bali through his cap, and three struck
his scabbard. A hundred other interesting
incidents might be named of similar charac
ter if had time
1t seemed quite surprising that SO many es
capped across the Potomac, but it is ascertained
that two Of our men ran up the river, found q
negro, probably contraband,) who had a
small boat and they induced him 10 assist
nearly one hundred of our men over. The
sanitary committee, who returned from Poo!es
vile twenty-four hours after let, have giver
me the following statement, obtained by them
1t is probably nearly correct =
Killed or
No. in the fight. Lost, Wounded
Fifteenth regiment, 635 277 80
Twentieth regiment. 3l8 las IS
California regiment, 600 $50 %
Tammany regiment, 400 10 10
1868 842 100