Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1861-11-05
Balls Bluff Battle.

CZya1es' Dispatch Gen. Stones report Of
the battle OF BAH ; BluH was sent to the War
Department to-day. In Il occurs the follow
ing
Col Baker having arrived st Conrad's
Ferry with the lst California regiment at an
early hour proceeded 10 Edwards Ferry ana
reported to me in i.ersou, stating that his reg
lments of the former place, and three other
regiments OF his brigade were ready 10 mach
/ directed him 10 HarrIson's Island TO as
sumo command and IN full conversation ex-
piaiued 10 him the position as 1t then stood,
and told h!m that Gen. Mccall had advanced
his troops to DraInsyille and wss extreme
" anxious of ascer aiming the exact position
and force 81 the enemy II oar front, and eX-
piorIHE - TAR rs Il safe the right To-
wards Lecsburg and the GUm Spring road
l also informed Col. Baker that Gen Cor
man, opposite Edwards Ferry, shoaIi be re-
enforced, and that / would make an effort to
pnt Gormaus troops carefully srward to
discover the best line from tha- Terry to
Leesburg and Gum Spring road, ,yrealy men
toned and the position Of the breastworks
aud hidden batteries which prevented the
movements of troops directly from left to
right, were also pointed out 10 him. In the
means OF Transportation across, of the sulfi-
cheney of which he. Baker. was 10 be Judge.
was detailed, aud authority given HIN to
make USe Of the guns Of a section each of
with French's mountain howItzers. al the
troops of his brigade and the Tamuany reg
iment, beside the 18Th aud part of tie 20;h
regiment of Massachusetts, volunteers. and I
left it 10 his discretion aftcr reviewing the
ground TO retire from Virginia shore under
the cover of his guns. and the fire of the
large infantry force, or 10 pass our reinforce
neuts III case II should be found practicable
and tie position on the other side favorable
| stated that l did not wish the advance
made unless the enemy were OF inferior force
and uuief 10 circumstances % pass beyond
Leesburg or a strong position between it and
Goose Creek, on the Gum Spring road. Col.
Baker WIS cautioned IN reference TO passing
artillery across tie river and begged If he did
10 he we.l supported by good infantry. The
General pointed out 10 him the position OF
some of the bluffs this side of tie river from
which artillery could act with effect on the
othe~, and leaving the matter of crossing
more troops or retiring what We're already
o -er 10 has discretion, and gave him entire
control Of operations on the night.
After Col Devens's second advance. Col
Baker went 10 the field III person. and II Is :
matte oi regret TO me that Ec left no record
Of wha' officers and men he charged win The
care of tie boats and iusuriug the regulai
passage Of troops II any were charged with
the duty, II was performed. Tor The reinforce
ments, as they arrived, found 30 one IN com
mand of the boats, and great delay was thus
occasioned. Had one officer and q compau
remained &, each landing, guarding the boats
their full caPaoIty would have been made
serviceable. and sufficient men would have
been passed on 70 secure success. Tho for
wardinS Of artillery before is supporting
force of fanlry also impeded the rapid as
scmbling Of an imposing force on the Virgin
ia shore in the infantry line. At the time of
attack, probably enough 10 have given Us ;he
victory, Signed,
CHAs S. STONE,
Brig. Gen. Commanding.