The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-25
THE BATTLE AT CoNRAD's FERRY, MON
DAY, OCTOBER 81, 1861.

PooLEsvniE, Nd, Oct. 20 1861.
Yesterday was bloody dry at Conrad's Ferry about
six miles above this place. viii furnish you with the
particulars briefly possible for thee is much sad
ness pain and groarng within foot Of the which
write.
Colonel Dcvens, Of tho Fifteenth Massachusetts regi
ment having received orders to advance with detach
ment Of his regiment to the Virginia shore reinforce
mens having been promised him in lac should be at
tackled in force made preparations accordingly, and on
Monday morning last at o'clock, he crossed with five
companies, ,vz:--company A, Captain lockwood Company
c. Capt. Bowman; Company G. Capt. Walter, Torehani;
Company II, Captain Chase Philbrick and Company I,
Captain George c. Joslinin all about hundred ana
fifty men-to island in tho Potomac called Harfisons
Island The passage TO this place effected in fat.
boats. Arrived at tho island, whore Company Ii had
been en- picket duty for week previously, Colonel
Devens was informed by Captain Phlbrick, who had
been making reconnaissance short time before or the
virginia shore, that the enemy was not in sight Hc
then ordered his to to the shore, which
act they accomplished by means Of latboat aud
metallic loa.-a process both slow and tedious
Colonel pevons landed the shore without molesation
and proceeded within about milo Of Leesburg without
meeting the enemy lie then threw out Company II ,
Capt PhlD.ick, Us sk.rmshcrs, who encountered
company OF rebels, belonging TO one Of tho Mississippi
regiments. Capt =. fred upon them vcley which the
enemy rctHrned and then retreaed when Col Deyens
fell back to lis first position landing, and kept up
sort Of srmshing and bush fighting against 1900 10
500 rebels for some hours. About O'Clock p. II.
reniorcemcnts came up, under command of Brigaler
General Baker with two howitzers and brass twelve
FOUNDER The reinforccmcnts consisted OF part Of tie
Twentieth Massachusetts,, Col. Lee; the New York
Tainnany regiment, and part Of the Cali
fornia regiment-n all about ZOO men. In
tho meantime the enemy had been immensely reinforced
from eesburg to the number OF between 900 and COO
men. The fighting kept up until dark having COM
msnced about seven in the morning. with great loss
both sides. The Union forces compelled to retreat,
ard to avoid leaving their guns and equipments in tho
hands Of the enemy, they threw them the river by
order u their commanders. A large number Of the
Union men plunged into the river, and shot whe
attempting TO swim across. The encmys cavalry mado
but 1hage and with that exception the whole battle
bush fight, both sides exhibiting great bravery
The enemys loss Is arge-supposed 70 DO about 500.
They thoroughly sheltered by the woods. All about
artillery were shot down. Our guns were spiked aud
thrown into the river.
Colonel Devens struck by nusket ball. aud his life
savod 10y the bali striking square upon one the metallic
buttons on his coat
gs7IMaIgo rGes--KnIrD, WOUNDED AND MISSING.
fifteenth massachusetts, Colonel Deyeas $50
First California I5o
Twentieth Massachusetts, s....................... 50
First Rhode Island artillery detachment ......... 90
To,al............................5 Total. $40
OF this estimated total continually arriy-
irg and the actual loss may a considerably short u Tho
c0lgulaticn.
No list Of The killed Of either regiments has been pro-
cured Tho following list or wounded is Cleaned rom
visiting the various hospitals OF the Fifteenth Iassachl
rec ment, IN ioolesyc, where il will be obse ved
q number Of the poor fellows belonging 70 the other
regiments have found Accommodations. The tnen
loss IL large but rendered douby painful by the
death Of the brave and Beloved General Rakcr General
H. had been in action but about one hour before ho
shot dead, riadied with bas lye Of th9m certainly in
Aicting mortal wonds. He exhibited the utmost cool
IA the light and by bis gaantry inspired cnuid nee
in all the men saw his remains today the house Of
Mrs Poole, IN this place, whittier they had beet conveyed
by Mr. G. a. ackett, OF General Baker br gide one
Of the bullets penetrated the head jst below tn left ear
another ene co the right side Of the throat, third had
apparently passed his lsn arm and penetrated his
heart, fourth penetrated the abdomen, and
the lower extrrnlitlcs ballriven all over
His aYpeagance n death Is to-day cam
and placid Mhe. the writer had m
when the fallen hero living and in his pleasant.
est MOI de. All whom have today, the
wounded and tho dying II the hospitals spoik volumes
OF praises in honor Oh tl beloved eominiier, General
paker. The wouI dc Caiiofnuns sad very sad, in.
dted. The sights have IN the hospitals today
lave been enough to tho stCuest heart--and no
dead tho manged aad the manned are not al Ia yet