The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-11-13
Battle of Leesburg.

Inc Northern papers are extensively
occupied with .he details Of the above
battle, which they know as that Of Balls
Bluff
1t appears that after the battle, Gen.
Mcclellan repaired in person to the scene
establishing his headquarters at Edward 3
Ferry, on the Maryland shore. On
Thursday, two days after the battle, Gas
well as we can understand the dates,
which are somewhat confused,) the enc.
my still lad considerable force on the
Virginia side, and Gen. Mcclellan was
preparing to throw across ADDITIONAL
troops. But the result of his dlicent
observations and scouting finally satisfied
him that tho Confederates wore in large
force, and were preparing to renew the
attack on Friday morning. He thereup.
on changed his mind and at 6 =. NJ,
on Thursday, gave orders for the return
of al. from the Virginia shore. The tran
sit was made in canal boats, and was ef
fected by o'clock the next morning so
that on Friday, not Northern soldier
remained on the Leesburg side. The
Federal troops were afterwards moved
still farther back, to Poolesville.
A correspondence Of the New York
"Tribune' states the following in his ac'
count of the Leesburg battle:
At this juncture, Gen. Baker,
who had dismounted from his horse, and
was advancing at the head Of bis com.
mand, coolly, but resolutely encouraging
his men, received a ball through his head
killing him instantly. The Generals
blood beSpa,tered Captain Crowningshield
who stood beside him at the moment.-
He never spoke. His body was immediI
ately taken to the rear by his men, who
freely wept at their loss. He was placed
on scow and transported to the island,
and thence to the Maryland shore. His
remains were sent to Edwards Ferry,
and thence to Poolesvile His horse,
which had been left standing, was after.
wards shot. A small canvass sa,chell,
containing his papers, l saw IN the hands
of young man to whom they were de-
Iivered shortly before he fe!l.
This was the turning point Of the bat
tie. The Confederates were five TO one
Of the Union force, and the latter were
finally ordered TO leave the field. The
retreat WAS made after the Bull Run pat
tern, with slight Improvements; the men
rolling, sliding, and almost turning sum.
mersaults down hill, to escape the CALLING
fire which now assailed them from all
points. The Confederates were constant.
ly reinforced, screaming like furies at
each onset. Before retreating they threw
the six Founders down the hill into the
river. The howi,zers were left on the
field, and fell into the enemy. hands.
The fifteenth and Twentieth Massachu.
sets regiments suffered severely, losing a
large part Of their number in killed and
wounded.
The Tammany regiment covered itself
with glory. Capt. OMeara often rallied
his command, throwing defiance into the
very teeth Of the enemy, and showing
the Confederates that he could scream
equal to the worst of them. Captain
O'Meara took charge Of the landing, and
refused to let any but wounded men en-.
ter the boat, ordering the sound troops to
60 back and pepper the Couiedera,es.-
His conduct was very gallant throughout
evincing true and lofty courage. Lieut..
Messet took command Of the scow, and
continued to .erry over the wounded, who
poured down the bill. Several times the
Confederates fired upon him as be was
crossing with the wounded men. The
fourth boat load was capsized by the men
rushing into it in too great numbers, and
the whole party, about fhy in number,
well and wounded, were precipitated into
the stream. Ten Of the party. at least
were drowned. A great many tried 10
swim the river. and sank from exhaustion.
One half Of those who are missing were
drowned in this manner. 1t is not yet
known how many Of our men have fallen
into their hands. The destruction OF life
has been far greater, in proportion to the
numbers engaged, than at Bull Run
The kirkwood Rangers, Capt SHAM