Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-12
Statement of capt. BaiI.
From the RichmO a Enquirer, june ).


We ask attention to the letter of Captain Ball.
which Will be found in another part of this paper
He gives the particulars of his capture with frank
ness and accuracy no doubt, and the people of his
State will read them with interest. No suspicion
attaches to the integrity of Capt Ball. dis patriot
ism is vouched for by all who know him. His mis-
fortune is much to be regretted, and ought to
warning to all others who occupy responsible
positions in the field. Let them uigiLqntly guard
| against a surprise:
LETTER FROM CAPT. BALL. OF THE FAlRFAx CAVALRY.
desire, in justice TO myself that my State should
know the following circumstances:
On Friday morning, May 9th, about O'Clock
while asleep il my quarters at Alexandria, ! was
| reused by my guards from the Long Bridge. and
informed that large body of cavalry and foot had
! Just crossed the bridge from Washington, and
marched up the road towards DrummOnd's Gate,
| IleadiOg TO Arlington) ahd that body of troops
was following them from the bridge. DispatchiDg
my Orderly Sergeant and two men, with orders TO
proceed in the direction OF the Long Bridge until
they discovered troops advancing or failing to do
80 TO remain the forks of the road. half mI'e
from the bridge, till notified to leave; and also dis
patching Sergeant and one man up the Leesburg
Turnpike. with orders TO advance two miles and
| reconnoitre, / proceeded myself TO Col Territt's
quarters; and waking him. informed HIM of what
had occurred.
He arose and dressed. giving orders to procee1
at once TO Captain Pcweifs quarters and, IN con-
junction with him to throw sufficient to
keep him (Col. Terrett) informed of any further
movements IN the direction of Alexandria,. Invent
to Capt Powell and he volunteered to keep up the
guard till o'clock, at which time il was agreed
should relieve him. He Immediately started with
squad OF his in the direction of the Bridge and
soon after my guard returned and report troops
nesr the acqueduct and advancing towards Alexan-
dria / had my men reused and the horses saddled
and prepared for marching l went into my room
and waited quietly fer further information.
A short time after day-break Q NJ. Ford, of my
geant of Captain Powell's company had Just gone
by, who said he had orders to US from Colonel Ter
rett to get ready and leave the town by o'clock.
Not seeing the sergeant myself, nor understanding
what to do started on foot to Col TerreIt's quar-
tiers. On my way met the infantry companies
marching out of town. Advancing further, met
Col Terrett. and he informed me. lin answer to my
questions wbatto du)that flag oftruce had beens ut
from the Pawnee with orders to him to surrende
which he had declined; but that large column was
advancing from Washington, and that he had agreed
to evacuate the town. and that il agreed to do
so by s o'clock. l asked him what NUT do. He
said " you must remain behind and cover the
retreat of the infantry, and give notice of any
pursuit., and understood him distinctly to say
that by the agreement made, under flag of truce
it was not necessary to leave before o'clock.
returned to my quarters and commenced get
ting ready TO march. While getting ready
about Is minutes later, some of the uen Being
mounted, and others away, a citizen ran up to the
stable and with tears streaming down his face, beg
ged the men 10 fly, as the troops were almost on
Without order my men began TO fly; and 1t
only by running through the house and meeting
the COMPANY that succeeded in stopping and form
ing them I ordered the company to form, and
while they doing several of the mep(myself
among them) not having mounted, the head of the
enemy's column appeared about four squares of.
| went into the stable yard 10 if all the men
we're out, and, on returning, saw a company of
Zouaves marching fast up the street, and JUS
It that moment the Itillery company which led
their column wheeled their guns upon about one
hundred yards distant Stopping moment to put
back in the ranks two men who had left it when
their guns wheeled on and feeling perfectly
confident that under the GgreemsR ,oere 10 BE- per
nlifted TO depart, l was just proceeding 10 moun
NY horse, when CoIonel Wilcox rode up and en-
quired for the commander of the company. |
ldvanced ION foct) to meet him. He called |
on me to surrender, or he would fire. |
told him we would leave in a few |
minutes By agreement. He replied that he |
kcne,o Of no agreement, and that, unless l sur |
rendered, he should fire There were then two |
guns bearing US, cavalry. just behind the bat
terry, and company of Zouaves, almtst exactly in
rear of my line all distant about seventy five yards
with other troops and one more gun just behind /
Knowing it would be folly to resist | surrendered |
under protest of the agreement made under the " hie
Flag, and with the assurance of Col. Wilcox tn |
'whatever was honorable" quote his very words |
would be done.
We were Immediately deprived of our arms and /
horses and placed under guard. spoke several
times to Col. Wilcox about our release, but no in
formation did | get. Lieut., Grigsby ard myself
were allowed to go beyond the guard lines on
parole and about o'clock were removed to |
the Baltimore - brought to the Navy Yard at
Washington, and have been kept here since. ] have
made three applications to Gen Mansfield for a
hearing, but he has not noticed hem.
Since our captivity have been very kindly
treated by the officers who have had US in charge.
mention, particularly, Commandant D4hlgren and
D., ~ &k. NJ Va
Master WoOus, of the Navy, and the officers of the
Z lst Regiment. NJ. DALASY BALL,