Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-29
THE BATTLE OF BALLS BLUFF.
From the New York Worlds Correspondeurel
CAPT. FRANCIS G. YouHa's STATEMENT.

CAPT. FRANCIS G. YouEG's STATEMENT.
On Sunday evening" General Stone, being per.
suaded that no important force of the enemy
remained along the upper Potomac, and in obe-
dlence TO orders from headquarters, commenced
his passnge Of the river at Harrison's Island -
The point of transit was about five miles above
Edwards Ferry, and nearly an equal distance
from Leesburg. The island is u low, fertile strip
OF land, several miles in length so dividing the
river that the Maryland channel is not furlong
IN width, and that on the Virginia side not more
than two hundred feet.
Six companies OF the fifteenth Massachusetts
Regiment, under Col Devan, aud two companies
OF the twentieth (Tammany) New York, arrived
ut the river about A. NJ. on Monday and com.
menced to cross. At sunrise they were all on
the Virginia side.
Before daylight an order came to Colonel
Baker to march the first battalion of the Cali
fornia Regiment to Conrnd's Ferry, two miles
south of the island, and then, if he heard firing.
to go to the support of Coggswell and Deyan.
Accordingly, Lieut.. Col. Wistar advanced with
the battalion, Gs9 officers and men, and by sun
rise had reached the river and proceeded down
to the island crossing | accompanied the force
to arrange for transportation. Was sent to report
Tor orders to Gen. stone. Returned, having re-
ceiveu command to cross ut once. On my way
bnok overlook Col. Baker, who told me that
only the battalion were to cross lie had no
orders for the brigade.
Shortly after General Stone placed Colonel
Baker in command Of nil the forces on the Viz
gna side. Our battalion then, at about A.
NJ, commenced crossing to the Island, aud from
thence TO the further shore. Meantime we could
hear skirmisbng shots ON the heights, which
continued without much intermsson through the
morning Now we began to experience the diff
hculty which was the chief cause of the terrible
scenes which closed the day.
No adequate means Of transportation had been
provided. II seemed as if the column was ex-
peetcd to walk across on the water surface
Nothing but an old scow, capable of holding per-
haps forty men, appeared available on either side
of the island. If the Massachusetts, men had
had any other boats they were not visible in the
morning AT length discovered large scow
in the canal, and two hours were consumed in
getting il over into the Maryland channel. 1t
would hold about sixty men Colonel Baker.
Lieutenant Colonel WisIar, Assistant Adiutaut
General Harvey and myself went with the first
load to the island, and there superintended the
transit Of our men.
II was II NJ. before our first company landed
at the foot of the bush covered precipce which
rises abruptly over one hundred feet from the
river bed on the further side of the river Four
hours more had elapsed before the last company
landed. Sections Of the Second Rhode Island
Battery, comprising two howitzers, two field
smooth bores, and rfed gun, went over with us,
the men dragging them up the heights with great
difficulty aud spirit
Al this time irregular fighting was going on
above. 1t seems that Colonel Devan had in the
morning moved with a small detachment in the
direction Of Leesburg, shortly after his forces
had crossed, had advanced one mile, there met
the enemy's skirmishers in feeble force, and had
retired TO the brow Of the heights. Before this,
the Quartermaster of the Massachusetts, FifteeGtb
had gone alone to point within a mile of the