Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-11-01

disastrous, times. The Conlederates Will
not do anything we wish them to. | now
proceed to the camp near tho Monocacy,
to observe movements.
MONDAY MoRNINd. -dho engagement
has been renewed this morning. At day
light, portions of the Massachusetts Doth,
Col. Lee, and the Massachusetts 10Th,
Col. Devens, not over 500 in all, crossed
over quarters of mile below Con-
RAIDS Ferry They crossed the island,
which at this point is about $50 yards
wide, and three miles in its extreme
length. These two companics-viz: |
and u, commanded respectively by Cap
tains Bartlett and Crowningshicld-ne
with no opposition on landing, and pushed
on until they had reached the open space.
This company (H, Of the 18th regimcnt)
went ahead as skirmishers, and were met
in an open field by company Of seventy
Confederates, who fred the first volley,
wounding ten and taking two prisoners
The company charged on them and drove
them back, but were in return driven
back by large cavalry force, besides a
Mississippi rife company.
This epded the contest for the morning;
but struggling fire was kept up on both
sides until l30 7. M, when the Con
federates renewed the engagement with
great fury, Theyattacked in front and
on the right flank. At this time Gen.
Bakers brigade was arriving. They
consisted chiefly of the Philadelphia
Zouayes, under command of Colonel
Baxter.
Colonel Vaughan, of the Rhode Island,
had also arrived, and, with the greatest
difficulty, succeeded in getting one of
his slx-poundor guns up the ascent,
being obliged first to dismount the gun
This piece, with the two mountain howit-
zers belonging to the 20th Massachusetts,,
were all the heavy guns on the field.
The fire was kept up from the right flank
and front with great activity, the Con
federates raining perfect storm of balls
upon the Union forces. The Twentieth,
although mostly raw recruits, stood the
enemy's fire like veterans They ran up
to the brow of the hill; delivered their
fire, and only fell back to reload and re-
peat. This continued until 81 z NJ. i,
the Union forces maintaining their posi-
ton steadily against the deadly, raking
cross-fre from the front and left Of the
woods
at this iuncture Gen Baker, who had
-ddiissfiiounted from hisaSaasse. sad was al
yaucing at the head Of his command
coolly,- but resolutcly encouraging his
men, received a ball through bis head,
killing him instantly. The Generals
blood despatched Capt Crowningshicld,
who stood beside him at the moment.
He never spoke. His body was immedi-
atcly taken to the rear by bis men, who
freely wcpt at their loss II was placed
in seow, and transported to the island
and thence to the Maryland shore. His
remains were sent to Edwards Ferry,
and thence to Poolesville. HIS horse,
which had been left standing, was after
wards shot A small canvas satcholl
containing his papers, | saw in the hands
of a young man to whom they were de-
liyered shortly before he fell
This was the turning point ofthc battle.
Confederates were five to one Of the
Union force, and the latter were finally
ordered TO leave the field. The retreat
was made after tho Bull Run pattern,
with slight improvements, the men roll
ing, sliding, and almost turning summer
saults down the hill, to escape the CALLING
4 fire which now assailed them from all
I points. The Confederates were constant
ly reinforced, screaming like furies at
each onset Before retreating they threw
( the six FOUNDER down the hill into the
river. The howitzcrs were left on the
fold, and fell into the encmy's hands.
I The fifteenth and Twentieth Massachu.
sets regiments suffered very severely,
losing a large part Of their numbers in
killed aud wounded.
Tho Tammany regiment covered itself
with glory. Capt. O'Meara often rallied
his command, throwing defiance into the
very teeth Of the enemy, and showing
the Confedcrates that he could scream
equal TO the worst Of them, Captain
O'Meara took charge Of the landing, and
refused to let any but wounded men enter
the boat ordering the sound troops to 90
back and pepper the Confederatcs. His
conduct was very gallant throughout,
evincing a true and lofty courage Lieut..
/ Messer took command Of the scow, and
continued to ferry over tho wounded,
who poured down the bill. Several times
the Confederates fred upon him as he
was crossing with the wounded men. ~
The fourth boat load vas capsized by the
men rushing into it III too great numbers,
and the whole party, about fifty in mum
Der, well and wounded, were precipitated
into the stream. Ten Of tho party, OF
least, were drowned. A great many
tried to swim tho river, and sank from
exhaustion One-half Of those who are
missing were drowned in this manner
/ IL is not yet known how many Of our
men have fallen into their hands. THE
destruction ofHJe has been far grcater, IN
yropoytioa 10 NE numbers cagaged, han
at BuH Rwt
The officers Of Company A, Massachu-
selts 10Th, are reported safe. Officers Of
I Company C.-Captaiu Dreher wounded
in the Eicc. Lieut. Wessolhoeft swan
the river, but has not been seen.
Captain Crowuingehicld Of Company
D, was slightly wounded in the arm, and
has not reported. Lieut. Perry has not
reported Neither has the Captain 1T.
Mossor, same company, vas exposed 70