The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-31

The Retreat nj tho Eedcfais from
Edwards Ferry The Federal Less
at Ran's Diuh, Capture oi'~a brig
by Confederate prisateor--Affairs
at Fortress Menroc, &c.

possession Of files of the Northera papers ss
aste Is saturday last, a4th instant, certainly
later than any date which had been received
in this city az to That time. Below will be
feunt, our summary of news taken from their
columns
TIE EsrsFAT or THE FTDgRALs FROM spwAsos
gERsY.
The special Washington correspondent Of
the Philadelphia Inquire gives the following
account of the retreat OF Banks and Stone
fro.a Fdwa ards Ferry:
Gen TcClelians headquarters were at
+ iys sr,tsss Ferry Thursday morning
Ssce closing ny dispatch yesterday Gems
McCleiian and Banks returned from the yir-
ainia side of the Potomac, and at about ten
o clock rode with strong cavalry escort
up 10 Courad's Ferry, Our troops had been
All bro4sh t from the Island over to the N ry
land shore. and the Virginia shore was
thickiy covered with the Con federates Tnev
N tide no attempt to fire upon oar troops. but
were very bold in showing themselves No
shots were tiTed by cur men, and, after con.
suitatton. all of eur troops, except a picket
guard, were marched to Poolesviile The
appearance OF some of them was the most dis
tT-Ssag sight we ever witnessed
Many OF them were nearly naked some
had oil nothing but overeoats some only a
pair of pants. and bat few with shoes most
OF ihem were without arms and ampUuition.
Goet Of tie wounded had been sent to PooEes-
vile And to the nearest caGps Captsin
Vaughn who was sent over with 4 flag OF
truce 10 act permission TO bring of the dead
aud render tue wounded what assistance was
Ia on power. had not returned ~ 10 the hour
which We write teieven & III j and Is no
doubt sent to the enemy's rear as a prisoner
About four Z, IL. yesterday the Coufede-
rates showed themselves in force upon the
mill. bout two miles and 4 half towards Lees
bErg where they had thrown up a dirt fort
Il VIZ soon found that they had two regi-
'nentl there and At the same time large force
vas arofted advancing on our left, on the
left .. Goose Creek, from the direction OF Fair
fax curt House Oar force was again rre-
pared 10 receive them. Gems. Mcclellan and
Bank :, who had just arrived. took up Il posi.
lion "a the high button this side From there
we & aid. see the whole country before US Tor
Two O. three miles back. and come eight M
aud down the country.
Guy batteries were ranged along the hill
and Gen Mcclellan on foot with Il large ma
zine eidss, Watchst; The whole neld Every
moileu h. was issuing orders to one battery
IL watch that road and that field. and to he
ready 10 fire as sooa rs the word was given -
! large force Of infantry were called M and
n&rche7 II the RIVER, some Of them upon the
double quick.
; ytI.A. batteries were taken down and u
aeet OF canal bOtts were run ont from, tha "a.
psl into the river, 10 cross The men in Every
fifteen minutes messengers would come over
and report from our |Ickets, and it soon De-
came evident that We would NOT De attacked
hsf0Fe morning, ana the enemy were only
drawing up their rein foree1aents in order 10
surround our little lQrCa, anu either take all
prisoners or else enact the Conrads Ferry dis
ssttT over AZ tin.
About Z. II orders were issued to have
the troops all brought back, and those who
f3d embarked to go over were unloadso ami
returaed TO their camps. Then commenced
tie work OF bringing them back safely Il
WAS done by canal boats. They would be
loaded and then poled across, landing half a
mile below the point from where they started
reached here ut A N and the appear
f nF sE,a,.,
rhey had stood III line of battle from II to II
hours without moving, ana without water or
foon. They had no sleep for two days and
Gights, and were nearly exhausted Soma
ragged their muskets along by the end. and
seemed TO sleep as they walked along.
The Minnesota First We're the nearest ex-
uausted of any, but We heard no grumb bling
AL seemed thankful To have got over safe; not
4 man was uinred in the re-crossing nor any
bigg ,ge lost; everything came over safe -
Generals Gorman and Stone personally supe
rtaten ed The crossing, and were the last TO
leave. General German has besl i'll the sad
die for two days and nights.
About daylight Il squad cf 1 or men came
running down 10 the shore, and, with cur
glasses, were seen by oar men, who foand
themselves left and were afraid they We're
lost \ boat was s-nt over after them. The
Confederates had not found cat that we had
retired. or, al lest had not l;-,!e ,heir appear
dlCe then.
About nine o'clock their cavalry scouts
we're seen ranging along the opposite hills
out did not approach nearer than a mile, and
none We're seen GA the fort. 4 wood to our
RIG Int, distant about two miles, is reported to
contain the Bisslsslppi brigade, who were IN
the battle ut Bati's Bun.
We are watching mOmentariiy for GONE
in partant move. Il now looks "a though we
would have the grand engagement OF the
cam y Ign near here
The Confederates had g. large force last
night less than three miles of.
I9tetre o'ri3ck N2o1.--A force OF Ccafeder-
.-
forts. They have four pieces, but have as yet
made no othef demonstrations
i correspondent of the New York Tribune
writing under date OF Edwards Ferry Sun
day, p. M (25th,l gives the following
graphic particulars OF the engagement at
Leesburg. The manner IN which Glen. Baker
was killed comedies with our account of the
affair, published q few days ago:
At this iuncture Gen. Baker, who had dis
mounted from his horse, and Was advancing
at the head OF his command, coolIy. but reso-
lutrly encouraging his men, received 4 ball
through his mead, killing him instantly The
Generals blood bespattered Cant CroWning-
shield, who stood beside him at the moment
He never spoke. His body was immediate
taken to the rear by his men. who freely wept
al their loss He was placed il Z scow and
tran ported TO the island and thence 10 the
Mary land shore. His remains were sent to
Edwards Ferry, and thence 10 Poolsgiiie -
His horse, which had been left standing, was
after wards shot. a small canvass sltcheli,
containing his papers, / stg in the hands CT Il
Young man II whom they were delivered
shortly before he fell.
This WAS the turning point of the battle
The Confeder5tes were i've to one of the
Union force, and the latter Were finally or
dered 20 leave the field, The retreat ~as made
after the Bull FUN pattern, with slight i'm
proyements, tie men rolling, Sliding, and al
most turniBg summersanlts DOWN hill, to es-
cape the CALLING fire which now assaiied them
from all points. The Contederatas were con-
stauLiy reinforced, screaming like furies at
each onset. sefore retreating they threw the
six FOUNDER down the hill into the river
The hoWiizers were left On the field, and fell
into the enemy's hands.
The Fifteenth aud Twentieth Massachusetts,
regiments suffered very severely, losing a
large part OF their numbers in killed aud
wounded.
The Tammany regiment covered itself
with glory. Captain O'auerra often rallied
his commaad, throwing defiance into the
very teeth OF tae enemy. and showing the
ontederaieS that he could scream equal to
the worst of them. Captain O'Meara t.ok
charge Of the landing, and refused 10 let any
but wounded men enter the beat. ordering
the sornd troops 10 so back and pepper the
{ onfederates. His conduct was very gallant
throughout, eyincing true and lofty courage.
i4ient. Messer took command of the scow,
and con tinued 10 ferry over the wounded,
who poured DOWN the hill. Several times the
Gon1ederaes fired upon him aS he was cross
ing with the wounded men. Tine fourth boat
load was eapsized by thu men rushing into il
IN too great numbers, ard the whole party
about fifty in Number, well aud wounded,
were precIpitated into the stream. Ten of the
party, III least, were drowned. great many
tried 20 swim the river, and sank from eg
ha ASTON. OGe hall of those who are missing
were drowned in this manner. II is not vet
known how many of our men have fallen
into tneir bands TIE desgurtiea ri lire has ben
far sr&ater IN proportion to the a4mbers engaged
thes. al BUD R@a
THE Associated Press Dispatched Il