The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-11-01
The Edwards Ferry Battle.

ry, as publishedin the Buffalo papers
oil yesterday morning, are very full
aud complete. The condensing APP
paratus at that point, through which
he reports for the Western press
are put, mnst have worked moet
horribly. We clip the following
most interesting details following
most interesting details from the
Buffalo Eap,ess reports, commencing
at the point where Colonel Baker
had assumed command OF TIA, federal
forces:
The attack was commenced by
the enemy on the right, but was
soon directed moro heavily to the
center and the lef. For about two
hours the battle ragged terriiically, Il
complete shower OF loaded hal, pour
ing upon US.
Three several times the left Of the
line made an advance, but was com
PEELED to retire as often. The right
was better protected, and held their
position. An order came from Gen.
Baker to throw two companies OF the
fifteenth Massachusetts to the center,
which was Immediately executed
This produced the impression tha:
the battle was going against Us; yet
no confusion was caused. The left
was hard pressed. but remained firm.
About this time the news spread
that General Baker was killed
While 10 the act of pushing a can
non forward with his shoulder to
the wheel, he was pierced by six
balls. He was evidently the object
ithe enemy's sharp shooters. After
this there was a CESSATION OF fire for
lew moments, during which Col.
Cogswe!l, of the Tanmsny regiment,
arrived with twp companies - he
being the senior officer, the command
devolved on him.
In a slo't time it became evident
to Colonel G gswell that the day
was at, and he thought it best to
cut his way through to Edward 3
ferry, where General German was
in charge, throwing ov,r reinforce.
ments by direction oi General Stone,
who was within sight of the battle
field at Z wards terry directing the
general movements An order was
now issued to transfer the fifteenth
Massachusetts from the right to the
let, which was executcd as calmly
hs a battalion drill.
Colonel Cogsweli soon became sat.
isted OF the impossibility Of reach.
Ing Edwards terry as desired, and
gave all order 10 tall back towards
the river which was executed as
well as the icunstances would
permit. They reached the river
bank. about twenty minutes before
njghtinll. Here the fifteenth de.
ployed IA skirmishers along the
shore. The only means of convey
ance to the island was large boat
carrying about lorty persons, which
WAS over crowded aud swamped.
The troops remaining on the shore
made a desperate resistance, and it
is believed that the enemy took
comparatively few prisoners in con.
sequence. Those who could swim
pl ,nged into the water. those carry
i rg their arms who could, ard other,
throwing them into the river tC
prevent their falling into the hand;
OF the enemy. Some escaped by
availing themselves of the darkness,
an the heavily wooded banks, hu
several are known to have beef
drowned in the Potomac.
The behavior of our troops befor
u superior number of the enemy WA
III rked AS noble, brave and enduring
Near the close OF the action and afte
the day WAS irretriev ably lost, tn
two recently arrived COMPANIES O
the Tammany made a desperat
charge on the enemy, hut were me
with terrific fire. 1t is probable
that rebel officer was mistaken 70
one oi our commanders who appear
ed in 'front.' ami gave the order t
chars.
The bravo Lieutenant Bramhall
o' tho ninth New York battery, loe
one of his guns, and himself wound
ed severely, but not fatally.
The gallant Lieutenant French
, OF the howitzer battery, fired wit
his own hands four shots after til
| day was lost and his men scattered
He was shot in the left breast all
mortaly wounded. On reachn
, the island, which he did by THROWN
, his sword and revolver into the rive
/ and swimming across. Col. Deven
at once posted thirty OF his men |
, prevent any attempt Of the enem
at present. This force was subs,
quently augmented by the arriv'
q there OF other companies from th
I Maryland shore urder Col. Hinckl
a OF the nineteenth Massachusetts.
Colonel Devens received a sligl
i confusion in the breast from mu
a ket ball.
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= WAsHINGroN Cry. October 90
Several prominent Congressman sl
u here, consulting with the Cabin,
U rs to the conduct Of the war. Anon
: the rest is Senator Harris. The