Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-07
THE CORRESPONDENTS BETWEEN
DR.. BAKER AND 1t. COL COLBURN.

DR.. BAKER AND LT. COL COLBURN.
The following Ia the correspondence that
took place between DIR, Baker (brother Of Col.
Baker, and Lieut.. Col. Colburn, relative to
the battle sfBsli's Bluff.
Letter from Mr.. Geo. Wilkes to Lieut.. Col.
CoIbuTn.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1861
Col. CoLBURE-Dsar Sir: Having failed to
find you in, last evening, and the orderly at
your door having just informed me that you
could not be seen by any one to-day, take
the liberty Of sending you the inclosed note
from DR.. Baker in relation TO bis brother, the
late Col Baker.
prefer this course rather than wait a day
longer to hand 1t to you in person, as the mat
ter On which the letter treats is deemed of i'm
portsnce by Col. Bakers friends, and as Dr.
Baker desires to return q his regiment at
Poolesville as soon as possible.
You will therefore very much oblige me if
you will send me reply on the subject matter
OF the Doctors note as soon az your duties will
permit, or forward me an indication Of time
when may have the pleasure Of a personal
interview. Very truly, your obedisnt servant,
GEo. WILkEs,
Kirkwood's Hotel
P. S.-You will find in Monday evenings
Star the most prominent articles which DR..
Bakers note refers to- G.. W.
Letter from Dr. Baker to It. Col. CoLburn.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 80, 1851.
LIEUT.. Col. COLBURS.-Str: 1t has been re-
peatedly stated by Tbs Star of this city, back
ed by the authority of your name, that the dis
astrous result Of the late battle at Balls Bluff
was q direct consequence Of s'the disobedience
Of orders" by my brother, Col. Baker, who
commanded in that action. The Star has also
stated, on the same alleged authority, that
Gen. Stone placed at the command of Col Ba-
ker 800 men; that he gave Col. Baker orders
not to advance beyond Hsrrison's Island, un-
less his means Of transportation 10 and fro
were ample; and that Col. Baker moved for
wards when on the Virginia side, leaving no
guard, keeping up no Communication with the
rear, and sending out no scouts AS these
statements have probably never met your eve,
q copy Of them will be shown to you by nv
friend, Mr.. Geo. Wilkes and he will saw for
me that will feel obliged if ysu will return,
by note, such a repudiation of your name in
the premises as will enable me promptly to
arrest the SANDER. 1t Is, perhaps not out of
place in this connection for me to remind You
that Col. Bakers first order from Gen. Stone
was received at 2 o'clock q. m, on Monday,
and that the entire number of the troops placed
at his command was less than !, 900; that being
required to move at 4 o'clock, he had no time
TO create means Of transportation; and couse-
quently, the best he could do was TO avail him
self at once Of such means as he found at
hand.
The order from Gen. Stone was " to advance
the Califsrnia battalion 1880 mem in case OF
under the command Of Coils Lee and Devens'
then on the VirgiHia side. Under this order,
Col. Baker commenced moving his California
battalion across Conrad's Ferry, and while on
Harrison's Island, with but a portion of his
force, be heard the indication that the Massa-
ehusetts companies were engaged, and were
probably sinking under the overwhelming
f0reaa n ha Uhi O hoa
informed him could be brought against them.
fsu, nr, as . soldier, can tell what should
have been a soldiers duty under such an exi-
geney: and can also judge what would have
been the verdict Of the country, and has Gem
erGI, had be permitted these gallant men to
perish without an effort for their rescue
am proud to say that my brother was not
the man to wait for his "LchoEs brigade
(Which could net have been crossed in many
hours under such pressing circumstances
And for myself, let me state that heavily as
suffer by his death, have no regrets that he
persisted in rushing to the side Of his belea.
gusred troops in their dire extremity.
The minor statements as to Col Baker send.
ing out no scouts, and keeping no communica.
tlon with the shore, by which The tar, unde
Its assumed authority, seeks to deprecate the
conduct OF my brother, need not be exposed
70 you, In face Of the well-kHown fact that the
battle was fought near the river bank, and
that the communication with the stream was
not interrupted for moment during the fight
Feeling warranted in believing that the n nstu-
raj concern have in the reputation of my de-
parted brother will induce you to enable me t6
have, ss soon as possible, your name Withdrawn
from the injurious attacks upon his memory,
am, very respectfully, your sb't servant,
Surgeon CalifOrnia Regiment U. s.V.
Letter from Lieut.. Col. COibnrn to Mr.. Geo.
Wilkes
Mr.. GEO. WILKBs-Sir: have lust thi.
moment received your letter. inclosing one
from DR.. Baker. Had known that you were
here, should have seen you at the time
III agreeable to you, will meet you at thu
KirkwOod House at o'clock this evening.
have never read the articles referred to II
The Star.
Very respectfully your G6't % ssrv't,
Lieut.. Colonel and Aid de Camp.
At the appointed hour Lieut.. Col. Colburn
accompanied by Lieut. Col. Hudson, also of th,
regulars, and aid to Gen. Mcclellan, called OF
Mr.. Wilkes, and, after long interview, tn.
parties separated with the understanding tha
Lieut.. Col. Colburn should explain his rea
position IN the premises in letter to be ad.
dressed to DR.. Baker on the following day.
Letter from Lieut. COL Col5urn to DR.. Baker
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Nov. 1, 1851
n. Y. BAKER, Surgeon California Regimen
U. s. Vslunteers-Sir: Your esmmunicatior
Of the 30th ult. has been received had no
seen any of the articles in The Star referred
to By you. sincerely regret that my name
should in any manner be connected with any
statement which may In any way give pain e
any friend Of Col Baker. On my return from
Edwards Ferry made the following state
ments TO persons connected with the press, In
cluding the editor of Tie Star. The state
msnt was made from information received from
Gen. Stone and others at Edwards Ferry:
Gen. Stone gave Col Baker about ], 900 men
composed Of bis own brigade. the 18th and
10th Massachusetts,, and Tzmmany Regiment
together with more artillery than the enemy
was supposed to have. Col. Baker was directed
10 use bis own discretisA about crossins
his force or Withdrawing the troops alread =
over, and charged not to cross the river on any
account unless the means Of transportation
wa sufficient to eross his entire force; 10 send
out scouts to the front and on the tanks to as.
certain the strength and position of the enemy
and IL he desired to cross bis command to be
sure and keep open his communication, 50 that
he csul1 resross IL, IL necessary; not to engage
the enemy unless be could get his troops In q
strong position, with superior numbers. Gen.