Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-29
WHO REUNBERED ON THE UPPER
pGTOMACf

teiligenccr as editorial, but came evidently
frem sonio source friendly to General Stones
reputation, who, while vindicating him indi-
rectly accuses Gen. Mcclellan. The writer
claims that Stone movement to cross the
river was a success, and that this success led
to no practical result, because "a subsequent
change of plau' was made by Mcclellan We
are not convinced by the writer of the correct
ness of this view of the affair, but here is his
statement -
"The enemy were in possession Of the Viz
einia shore, aui fully advised of Gen. Stones
intended movement There are two ferries
across the Potomac at that place-one OF them
Canrads, at the head of Harrison's Island, a
long narrow tract OF four hundred acres, in
mid stream, and the other Edwards six miles
below, on the direct road from Poolesville to
Leesburg. 1t was Gen. Stones plan to divert
the attention OF tile enemy from both these to
third polut ol bis own selection, five miles
above Edwrrds' Ferry, at the foo. of Hari
sons Island, and by making feint OF throw
ing over his whole column at that place, invite
the rebel attack; while at Edwards Ferry,
thus left free the main body could be moved
across without hindrance. And just this was
done.
Ii we are understood in this brief statement
the fact will stand that the little force OF the
gallant and lamenled Baker became as it were
forlorn hope, which, at fearful risk and re.
suit to themselves, purchased immunity and
safe crossing for the main body
Gen. Baker received the order Tor his move
ment on Sunday. The same evening Captain
Philbrick and Lieut.. Howe, of Col. Devens'
fifteenth Massachusetts, with twenty men,
crossed the river at the point above indicated,
and made thorough reconnaissance to within
IL Ill. I p,kvV r,s,,l
reporting that no enemy had been seen. All
through that night By facilities for transport tdr
100 incomplete and uamtlito'y Jorhe purpose, Gen.
Baker was throwing cover his force; and at
daybreak the fist line was formed at Balls
Bluff, about eighty feet above the river offer
ing on the Top an area OF several hundred
acres. surrounded by trees save III the angie
TO the southwest where clearing and corn
field with the corn in the shocks, opened out
to the main road.
The force OF Geu Baker was about 100
strong, made up of broken regiments. The
Massachusetts fifteenth had 100 men present,
the twentieth Massachusetts only three COM
panies the California brigade about 600 men,
and the Tammany IN. Y regiment two or
three companies. There were also two how
itzers OF Ricketts, U. S. battery, drawn by
drag ropes, and one James riled gun of the
81 Rhode Island battery, to the command OF
which Lieut.. Bramhall was detailed from the
New York ninth
The first attack of the enemy was made
abo4t six O'Clock, from rude rifle pits in the
cornfeld. This was met by gallant charge
of the Massachusetts fifteenth, who drove the
enemy from their coVerts at the point OF the
bayonet. After sharp work for some three
hours along the whole front of the little line,
the enemy being kept in check with the three
pieces OF artillery, they themselves using only
rifle and cavalry earbines in the action, lull
took place, during which it would appear,
had designed 10 create, the rebels were ddff7a3FS
ing their whole force from above and below to
strengthen the center of their line, which they
believed to be threatened by the head of our
main column.
While our troops were eating their dinner,
about two p. M, the rebel firing recommended,
at short rifle range from line extending on
three sides about cur battle front, from among
the trees and from the tree tops, many OF
which were full of sharpshOoters From this
time until night fall the fight knew no cessa-
ton. We cannot write its details they press
upon us from every hand, and the account
would possess wellnigh the melancholy aud
tragic interest OF Loyewells Fight
About four o'clock Gen. Baker fell, pierced
by four mortal wounds. The rebel sharp
shooters picked cut the officers with unerrlng
aim. Only one captain in the Massachusetts
fifteenth, Captain Phibrick, returned 10 their
camp; the other six, with five lieutenants, are
misslng-severat known to be killed The
entire loss set down as missing" to Col. Dew
ems regiment is three hundred and thirty one
nearly half their number in the field. They
were recruited in Worcester county. Said
Gen. Bakersfield two more regiments like
the Massachusetts, fifteenth, would cut my
way to Leesburg" The other regiments did
well and suffered nearly as severely.
Thus ended the fight at Harrison's Island
and meanwhile its purpose had been gained
the main body mad safely crossed, and were
in position ON tie Virginia side, with only
light diminishing, in which Gen. Lander re-
ceiYed ball in his ankle
Gen Banks, the same night and on Tues
day, was moving up his division from
Darnestown, nine miles below PoOlesyille
and on Wednesday began crossing to join
Gen. Stone, snd the work was within few
hours Of completion, wien, at five o'clock P.
NJ. on Wednesday, The order came from head
quarters (Gen. Mcclellan, with his staff, being
on the sp0tl 10 cross the river with the whole
force to the Maryland side, and this was en-
tirely accomplished by Thursday morning,
leaving at daybreait not federal soldier on
the Virginia shore and a few hours later the
rebel pickets were again thrown forward TO the
ferry on that bauk.
II was our purpose Of exp aiming the rela
ton Of this fight to Gen. Stones crossing the
river aUu III THAT respect Is worthy OF all
praise, and woald have done honor to the
bravest veterans OF Napoleon. 1t does not
dim their laurels that their brave sefsacrfce
has been rendered ofnO avail by subsequent
change Of plan. Ii is not our purpose to criti-
else or il our power TO explain"
Then follows description Of the attempted
retreat to Harrison's Island, which portion
of the troops effected, across rapid current,
and through storm of bullets. The writer's
statement, that Gen, Stone had meanwhile
successfully thrown troops across the river at
the two other ferries, is not correct. 1t does
not appear that single man crossed at Con-
RAIDS Ferry, and certainly no force reached the
Virginia shore at Edwards Ferry, that could
venture 10 leave the cover of the batteries ON
the Marylan side. 1t was not until tile day
after the fight at Balls Bluff, that the Skin
mishing took place in which Gen. Lander was
wounded. considerable force (4400 men)
crossed at Edwards Ferry during the first
twenty-f0Qr hours after the bloody affair at
the bluff, and their crossing was effected very
slowly, it is true, but without The aid of any
such numerous cantriyance for diverting the
attention Of the enemy. But now an army of
more than fifty thousand men, with wagons,
camp eqapage and artillery, was necessary to
make the crossing of any avail, and it was un.
doubtedly this consideration that led Gen. Nc.