The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
REPORT o. COLONEL. DANA.

asP0Ry oR THE OPERATIONS OF FIRST REGI~
xENr NINA tsarA VOLUNTEERS DURING THE
CROSSING, or THE POFJsAC AND OCCUPA
rIoN Or THE VIRGINIA. SIDE AT EDWARDS
FERRY, vRo2 eUNDAY, oCIOeSE 10Th 10
THURSDAY. OCT. 24TH, 1861.
AEAD-QUA srXRs FIRST REGinEsT SiIsNSsorA)
V0LUNrLEHA. CAaP NEAR EDwARD'~ PERRY,
October Z6lh, 1861.
Carr. JOHN Fl PELl.. Acting Assistant Adju-
sant General, ',ormshs Brig Aae.
1t WAS not ing intention 20 uake q de-
tailed report Ot he part taken by this Tegi
meat IN the dis advance mace into Viz
ginia by Edwards Ferry, our being called
on by the Brigidi General Commanding,
now proceed TO submit it as follows:
On Sunday last, at a0ou, oae o ciock P,
NJ, received a veroa order by 90 Aid-de-
Camp from Brigadier Genera! German, to
turn out my regiment Immediately ard
march il to Edwards Ferry, about TWO
miles distant.
Al this time there were shgee Companies,
viz: Company A, Capt. Coats, Company
b, Capt. Downie, and Company q, Capt.
Messick, on detached service as pickles, tx
tending along the Potomac from three to
twelve miles below the Ferry. The re-
maiCing seven companies Ct the regiment
were under arms and ready for marching 10
a very few minutes, with thirty rounds of
ammunition in each mans cartridge box.
Alter being displayed in line ON the bills,
in full view and easy range of the Virginia
shore, for some time, received an order to
march to the river bank at the Terry, aud
send two companies across 10 the three
small fat -boats which were there Having
taken position along the bank so as to cover
the crossing with the fire OF oar rifles,
Captains Morgan and Lester with their
companies, E and K, were ordered to cross,
which they did in gallant stJ lie under cover
Of a sharp fire from several pieces of artil.
ery posted on the bills in our rear, landing
on the enemy's shore at dusk, ard finding
his cavalry pickets still on the bank when
they were only fifty yards from it.
They depoyed as skirmishers along the
shore, and after remaining there about fif-
teen u M es, was o. dered to recall them.
The Bugle sounded twice before they re.
embarked, and although greatly disappoiut.
ed at no' being allowed to remain, they
were in good spirits. The regiment was
then orderei back TO camp, and the meu
sent to bed with orders to be ready for
marching at moments notice.
was at bed only three hours. when at
! y O'Clock A. NJ, on Monday morning, |
received an order to have the reg .nlent
aroused WITHOUT noise, breakfasted, and at
daybreak marched to the Ferry, with KNAPP
sacks, canteens, and one days rations.
Having reached the landing and received
instructions to cross the river, Captains
Farrell and Smith, with their companies, G
and d, were ordered to cross first and de-
ploy as skirmishers on the bluff on the Viz
ginia side, about tour hundred yards from
the landing. The boats afforded passage
for only two companies at trip, and the
first crossing was made 10 about nine MINI
ntes. The regiment crossed by boat loads
as rapidly as possible, and at about hall
past eight O'Clock it was formed 10 line OF
battle, Its lett resting On Goose Greek, and
with the two companies deployed as Skin.
mlshers about four hundred yards 10 front.
This position we continued to hold for three
days, during great portion OF which it
ralDed viClentl y and was very cold. Com.
panies A, b and u arrived from detached
service during Monday night. About the
middle OF that night, after twenty-five bun
dred troops, including thirty,slx cavalry
and two pieces OF artillery, had crossed, Or
ders were issued tc EecrOss the river and for
Minnesota to hold the position and cover
the crossing. With this purpose the regi
ment was formed and kept 10 line under
arms, whilst other troops wer9 crossing, but
the order was cOuntermanded 10 the course
Ofthe night, alter about half OF the troops
had crossed, and they were again recrOssed
to the Virginia side with others to reinforce
them.
The regiment was heavily drawn on for
outlying pickets and Tor fatigue parties of
men to work the boats. During one day
aud night five companies were on picket
guard Id different positions 10 advance. and
on tuesday afternoon company l, COM
manded by I'd Lieutenant halssg, was at
tackled BY the enemy, in force; with the loss
OF one private killed and aue wOauded,
heretofore reported. .,~>
About halt past nine O'Clock on Wed
nesday night, was sent forby Brigadier
Genera! 4Stene, who.aad assumed command
oil the whole force, which was then upwards
OF four thousand men, nearly two hundred
horses lincluding those belonging to mount
ed othcers) and two pieces Of artIlery,-and
informed by him that he had received Or
ders to retire, end had selected me to su-