Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-10-28
LATEST NEWS
Ru the M0ils.


K0SSbG0Uo1os
PooLsavSLLB. Oct. =, 1851.
The foil loving report the battle 1t Balls Bluff
mid way between Csnrsis and Edwards Ferry.
and opposite Hsrrisons Islani, which occurred
yesterday, has. been cleaned from authentic sour
ces:
On Sunday night Colonel Devens Of the 18th
Massach usests, who bad for some time guarded
Harrisous Islan,i with one mpRny, ordered Capt.
Phllbrick, Of company Il, aud Quarternastsr Howe,
oi his stat, with detachment Of teenty men, 10
scout the Virginia shore in the direction OF Lees
burg. They crossed from the island to the shore
and executed tie order By approaching within
three-fourths Of mile of Leesburg. returning to
their starting point about ten o'clock At night, DIS
covering, as they supposed, small camp one mile
or more from Leosburg. On TepMting 70 Colonel
Devens, the latter, with about 800 men, pu.hed
fosWAld, by direction Of Gea. Stone, in the same
locality With orders to destroy the camp at day
break and return, and Col. Devens remained with
his command concealed and sen. w.rd that no
my vas In sight, Capt Pin bricks company taking
an advanced position, While the remaining CON-
panes were concealed as q reserve, in case Of IN
att .ck On toe al. ance. Whtn about = mile and
bali from the rlveT, and Eve hNndred yards in ad-
vance Of Col. DeveLs reserve, Capt brick, ac-
compsnied by Col. Devens il Yers on, attacked and
drove back company Of Mssissipf! ridemen, and
then Tell BACK to eserve, concealed ID The rear, on
the appeare nee of body OF rebel cava,ry. Ia the
sk'rmsh Capt. Philbrick had diff .uity IN getting
guns to ave much effect, whereas the other used
long range r. hes our forces
AT daybr eak, and at the same hour tn at Col
Devcns command lett the shore to make IL a4i-
vance. Col. Lee, Of the Goth MassAeb usetts, ent
over one Company Of his regiment which remain, u
on the shore to cover the of Col Deven.
Col. Deve as maintained his ground, and was rein
oreed dn ring the morning by Lrce hundred more
OF his regiment, under Lieut.. Col. v ard About
clock he was attacked by considerable body
of ri1em en-. who attempted to outf .nk him. Fear
ing they might be successful. and after resisting
them tor some time, Col. Devens slowly retreatei
IN perfect order 10 the river where General Baker
had arrived with battalion Of the California re
giment, commanded by Lieut.. Col Wistar
Geh Baker then took comma nj fl Il com ri ment.
ing col. Devens for successful resistance TO a SUI
peror force, and giving his command, now less
than 600 the right Of the line of battle the center
and left wing being formed Of about 300 OF the Mas
sachusetts 2Oth, under Col Lee, an the Caifornin
battalion, about 5OO in number, under 1t. Colone
Wstar Two mountain hOwifzsrs commanded by
Lt. French and enc piece OF the New York b.ttery
Commanded by 1t. Brsmball, we're in front Of the
center just previous to the commencement OF the
battle.
The attack was commenced by the enemy on our
night, but was soon directed more heavily to the
cen or snd LETT. For about two hours the bat tie
ragged errifcally, complete shower of leaden hail
poured UPON Us three several times the left MAD q
an advance, but were compelled to return as often
The right was better protected ana held their po-
siton.
An order came from Gen Baker to throw txo
companies Of the fifteenth Massachusetts TO the
cen'er, which was Immediately executed. This
produced the impression that the battle was going
against us, but caused no confusion The LETT was
hard pressed, but remained firm. About this time
The news spread that Gen. Baker was killed While
IN the act OF pushing cannon forward, with bis
shoulder TO the wheel he pierced by six balls
lie was evidently the object OF the enemys sharp
shooters.
After this there was cessation of fire for few
minutes, during which Col. Cogswe /, of the Tau |
many regiment, arrived with two CON panies. and |
he, being tn; senior officer the command devovcd
on him. In q short time il became evident to Col
nos that the day was lost, and he thought IT
besi to cut his way through to Edwards Ferry.
where Gen Gorman was IN charge. fhr"",,'no was |
rehOrcements h.s.sc uuid At Edwards Ferry, ii- |
iec ing the general movement.
an order was now issued to transfer the 18th |
Mas sachusetts from the right to the left, which |
executed calmly battalion drill.
Col. Cogswell soon became satisfied OF theim- |
possibility .! reaching Edwards Ferry, and gave
an order to fall back toward the river, which
executed as well as the circum stances would per-
nit. They reached the river bank about twenty |
miutes before nghtfall Here the 18th GeIloyed |
as kirmi shers along the shore. The only meaEs |
OF c,nve, ancc to the island was large boat, ca |
pablo Of carrying about forty persons, which |
owe crowded and -wamped. The troops remaining |
on the shore made desperate sisiance and is
believed that the enemy took comparatively few
prisoners in consequence. Those who could swi III |
plugged into the water, those carrying their arms
who could, and others throwing taem into the NV |
er TO prevent them falling into the enemys hands |
Some esca ed by availing themselves Of the dark
ness and the heavily wooded banks, bnt several |
are known TO have been drowned in the waters OF |
the Potomac The behavior If cur troops before n /
superior number Of the eI emy was marked as no
bic, brave and enduring. /
Near the close OF the action and after the day |
rrctri vably lost the two recently arrived |
companies Of the Tamm my regiment made des |
perAte charge on, but were met with terrific FIRE
by he enemy. 1t is probable that rebel oilic |
was IN staken for one OF our commanders, who APP
peared in front and gave the order to charge. |
The brave Lieut. i;ramhall, Of the New ! ork |
9h battery, lost one Of his guns. and himself
wounded severely, but not fatally.
The gallant Lieut. French Of the howitzer bat |
terry, fired with his hands four shots alter the
ay was lost and his men scattered. lie was shot
in the lett breast and ankle, but not MORALLY |
wounded.
lie reached the island, himself by throw
ing his sword aud revolver into the river and |
swimming across.
Col. De1ens at once posted thirty Of his men t. |
prevent any attempt OF the enemy At pursuit. This
force was subsequently augmented, by the arrival !
there Of other companies from the Mary shore
under Col. lIncks, vi the 18th ,.assachusett. |
Col. Devens receive slight conclusion in the |
breast fIom a u.ket ball.
NpErl NhYlrEN