New-York daily tribune., 1861-10-30


headquarters of Gen. McCalps movement to Drains.
vile to reconnoiter and draw ont the intentiym Of
the enemy at Leesburg, went to Edwards's Ferry,
at O'Clock p. m, with Gen. Germans Brigade, tn
Michigan, two troops of the Van Allen Cavalry, aud
| the Putnam Rangers, while four companies OF tha
18th Massachusetts Volunteers cent to Harrisoas
Island. under Col. Devens, who then had one CON-.
rany on tie Island and Col. Lee, with battalion Of
the Massachusetts, Goth, section OF the Rhode
bland Battery aud Tsmmany Regiment, was sent to
Coonrad's Ferry. section of Bunting New.York
Battery and Ricketts, Battery were already on duty
respectively at Edwards ard Conrsd's Ferries
! General McCalls movement had evidently at
tracted the attention of the enemy, regimen! Of
infantry having appeared from the direction Of
Leesburg, and laken shelter behind bull about one
mile aud half from position at the Ferry.
General German was ordered TO deploy bis forces
in view o. the enemy, and in 30 doing no movement
Of the enemy was excited. Three ma boats were
ordered and at the same time shell and spherical
case shot were thrown into the place Of the enernys
concealment This was dene TO produce On impress
zion that a crossing was to be made. The shelliag
at Edwards Ferry and launching Of the boats, ia
duced the quick retirement Of the enemys force seen
there and three boat loads Of IS EACH from tho
ls Minnesota crossed and recrossed the river each
trip occupying about Elk or seven minutes.
While this was going on, the men eyinced by theis
cheering that they Were oil ready aud Determined :,
! fight CALAMITY when the opportunity was presented.
At dusk. Gen. Gorman's brigade and the 'th michi'
gan returned 10 camp, leaving the Iamnany hegi-
meut and the companies Of the 10th Massachusetts
and artillery at Coonrads Ferry In position awaiting
| the return of scouts. Meanwhile, Gen. Stone 70.
mained at Edwardss Ferry. Az l0 ocioea ?. M,
Lieut.. Howe, Quariermaster OF the iJth Masssebu.
setts reported that scouts under Capt Phioicx nad
returned to the Island having been within one mile
of Leesburg and there discovering in the edge Of
wood an encampment Of 80 tents. so pickets were
out any distance, and he approached TO within y
rods without being even challenged.
Orders were then instantly sent to Col. Devens TO
cross four companies TO the Virginia shore, and march
silently under cover of night to the position Of the
camp referred to- to attack and destroy II a. day
break, pursue the enemy lodged there, as lar ~
would be prudent and return Immediately to tho
island, his return to be covered by company OF the
Massachusetts Goth, to be posted over the landing.
place. Col. Devsns was ordered to make close Oh
seryation of the position, strength and movements
of the enemy, and in the event OF there being no
enemy there visible TO hold on in secure position
until he could be strengthened sufficiently to make
valuable reconnaissance.
Al this time orders were sent TO CoL BAKER -
send the Let Californis Regiment TO Coonrads Jerry,
TO arrive there AT sunri.e and 20 have the remraef
OF bis brigade resdy to move early,
! Lieut.. Col. Wood, Of the 18th Massachusetts, was
also ordered TO move with battalion to the river
bank opposite Harrisn's Island by daybresk. Two
mounted howitzers, in charge OF Lieut. French, Of
Ricketts, battery, were ordered 10 the tow-pithoa
the canal opposite Harrison's Island.
Col Deyens in pursuance OF his orders, crossed
and proceeded TO the point Indicated, COL Lee re-
naming on the bluf with 100 men to cover bis re-
turn To distract attention from COL Devenss
movements, and TO make a reconnaissance Ia the d.
re,tion of Leesburg from Edwarjss Ferry, directed
Gen. Gorman 10 throw across the ryer al that polns
two companies Of the lat Minnesota under cover OIL
fire from Ricketts, battery, and sent out party cf
81 Van Allen Cavalry under Major Mix, aceomps-
MED by Capt Chas. Stewart, Assistant Adju,ant.
General, Capt. Murphy, and Lleuts. Piefte and
Goursud with orders 10 advance along the leesbug
Road until they should come 10 the vieniy OF =
battery which was known to be on that road, ana
then turn TO the left aud examine he tishts Ge-
tween that and Goose Creek and zee il any OF tnc
enemy were posted in the vicinity ind out their
numbers % nearly as possible their disposition, ea
anime the country with reference 10 tae pas
saee of troops TO the Ieesburg and George.
town Turnpike, and return rapis.y 70 cover
behind the skirmisheTs of the Minnesota lst.
This reeonnu;,san was most CALAMITY conducted
and the PARTY proceeded along the Leesburg road
nearly two miles from the Ferry, ard when near the
position Of the hidden battery came suddenly upon
Mississippi regiment about 35 yards distant, re-
ceiyed its fire. and returned il with their pistols.
The fire Of the enemy killed one horse, but Lieut..
Gouraud seized the dismounted man, and drawing
him on his horse behind him carried him unhurt from
the field One private of the 4th Virginia cavalry
was brought oil by the party prisoner who, being
well mounted and armed, his mount replaced the ono
lost by the fire of the enemy.
| Meantime on the right, Col. Deyens having in
pursuance of his orders arrived OF the position desg-
mated to him rs the site Of the euemys camp, found
that the scouts had been deceived BY the uncertain
light, and mistaken openings IN the trees for row
of tents. Col. Deyens found, however, wood Ia
which be concealed his force, and proceeded TO er-
anime the space between that and Leesburg. sending
back % report that thus far he could see no enemy.
Immediately receipt of this intelligence, brought
me by Lieut.. Howe, who had accompanied both the
Aotff.a md
cavalry to join Col. Devens for the purpose oil scour-
lug the country near him while engaged IN his recon-
noissance and giving due notice of the approscti
OF any force, and that Lieut.-Col. Ward witl.
1 Lis battalion Of the 10th Massachusetts saoum
move on to Suoos Mills half nile TO the right Oh
the crossing place OF Co Deyens, and see where IN
st rone position be could watch and protect The Hank
of Col. Deyens in his return, and secure secona
crossing more favorable than the first, and eonheeo"
Inv a good road with Leesburg. Capt. Candy, AS
sistant Adiutant-General, and Gen. Lauder aceo"''
panied the cavalry TO serve with H. FOR solle eassn
never explained 10 me neither OF these orders were
carried out. The cavalry were transferred 20 .he
Virginia shore but were sent back without having
lcli the shore to go inland, and thusCoL Desens Wa
derived Of Tie means of obtaining warning VI any
approach of the enemy. -,.
the Bl in the rear of Col. Deyens, instead OF osns
directed 10 the right. Col. Baker having arrives -
Coonrads Ferry with the lst California hey'me'xs
at an early hour, proceeded to Edwards Ferry anS
mrorted 10 me in person, stating that h's reeime:s
former place. and the ns1ss ssrss 0insi ssssd
him 10 Iarrisons Island TO assume connhnu, , saa a.
Sn,l ~ conversation explained to him The poeSu a a.
i then stood told him that Gen. MeC1n nss ss-
Vanced @ his troop. 10 Dansve, and thai wS o.;,;on s
temely desirous Of ascertaning the exact % p0''S soS
and force of the enemy N our noH1 tas
exploring as far as It was sale On '.S sa
rafap' riahs toward Leesbarg, and on the iss ="
toward the I.eesburg and Cum Spring road. ~;
:er.".aal Oh Raler TINT Gen. 0OrmAn, OpRoslsee