The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-11-08

den battery, came suddenly upon Missis-
sippi regiment, about thirty five yards dis
tant, received its fire, and returned it with
| our 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 Fourth Vir-
ginia cavalry was brought off by the party a
prisoner, who, being well mounted and arm.
cd, bis mount replaced the one lost by the
fire of the enemy. .. .,......... ., ,........s
Meantime, on the right, Col. Devons,
having in pursuance of his orders arrived at
the position designated to him as the site of
the enemy's camp, found that the scouts had
been deceived by the uncertain light and
mistaken openings in the trees for row of
tents. Colonel Devons found, however, a
wood in which he concealed his force, and
proceeded to examine the space between
that and Leesburg, sending back to report
that thus far he could see no enemy. I'm
mediateIy on receipt of this intelligence,
brought me by Lieut.. Howe, who had ac-
companied both parties, l ordered nom
commissioned officer and ten cavalry to join
Col. Devons for the purpose of scouting her
country near him while engaged in his recon.
noissance, and giving due notice of the ap-
proach of any force, ,and that Lieut. Col. Ward,
with his battalion of the Fifteenth Massa.
chusetts, should move on to Shoots Mills,
half a mile to the right of the crossing place
| of Col. Devons, and see where, in strong
position, he could watch and protect the
| flank of Col. Devons in his return, and Sc
cure a second crossing more favorable than
the first, and connected by good road with
Leesburg. Capt. Candy, Assistant Adjutant
| General, and General Lander accompanied
the cavalry to serve with it. For some rea-
son never explained to me neither of these
| orders were carried out. The cavalry were
transferred to the Virginia shore, but were
sent back, without having left the shore
to 60 inland, and thus Col. Devons was de-
prived of the means of obtaining warning Of
any approach of the enemy.
The battalion under Col. Ward was de-
tanned on the bluff in the rear of Col. Dew
ons, instead of being directed to the right.
Col. Baker having arrived at Conrad's
Ferry with the First California Regiment
at an early hour, proceeded to Edwards
Ferry, and reported to me in person, stating
that his regiment was at the former place,
and the three other regiments of his brigade
| ready to march. / directed him to Harri-
sons Island to assume command, and 10 full
conversation explained to him the position
as it then stood. | told him that General
Mccall had advanced his troops to Drains
vile, and that was extremely desirous of
ascertaining the exact position and force of
the enemy in our front, and exploring as
far as it was safe on the right toward Lees.
burg, and on the left toward the Leesburg
and Gum Spring Road. l also informed
Col. Baker that Gen. German, opposite
Edwards Ferry, should be reinforced, and
that would make every effort to push
Germans troops carefully forward to dis
cover the best line from that ferry to Lees
burg and Gum Spring Road, already men,
toned, and the position Of the breastworks
and hidden battery, which prevented the
movement of troops directly from left to
right, were also pointed out to him.
The means of transportation across, of
the suficiency of which he (Baker) was to
be the Judge, was detailed, and authority
given him to make use of section each of
Vaughn's and Buntings batteries, together
with French's mountain howitzcrs, all the
troops of his brigade and the Tammany
Regiment, besides the Nineteenth and part
of the Twentieth Regiments of Massachu-
sets Volunteers, and left it to bis discre-
ton, after viewing the ground, to retire
from the Virginia shore under cover of his
guns and the fire of the large infantry
force, or to pass our reinforcements in case
he found it practicable and the position on
the other side favorable. | stated that |
wished no advance made unless the enemy
were of inferior force, and under no circum-
stances to pass beyond Leesburg, or strong
position between it and Goose Greek, on the
Gum Spring ,.e., the Manassas road.
Col. Baker was cautioned in reference to
passing artillery across the river; and |
begged if he did do so to see it well support
ed by good infantry. The General pointed
out to him the position of some bluffs on
this side of the river, from which artillery
could act with effect on the other, and,
leaving the matter of crossing more troops
or retiring what were already over to his
discretion, gave him entire control of ope-
rations on the right. This gallant and en-
ergetic officer left me about 9 or 9h A. H.,
and galloped off quickly to bis command,
Reinforcements were rapidly thrown to
| the Virginia side by Gen. German, at Ed
wards Ferry, and his skirmishers and cav
airy scouts advanced cautiously and steadily
to the front and right, while the infantry
lines were formed in such positions as to act
rapidly and in concert in case OF an advance
of the enemy, and shells were thrown by
Lieut.. Woodruf's Parrott guns into the
woods beyond our lines as they gradually
extended, care being taken to annoy the vi
cinity Of the battery on the right. Messen-
gers from Harrison's Island informed me,
soon after the arrival Of Col. Baker opposite
the island, that be was crossing his whole
force as rapidly as possible, and that he had