Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-29

iillage, had return d, crossed the river, and |
epOrted TO Gen. Stone that there were no hos |
lie forces in that region.
But after Colonel Deyan fell back, his men |
were placed in a semi-circuar clearing or natur,
Il forest opening, covering five or six acres, with
ia base resting on the edge Of the heights and |
linked and tronted by forest. The enemy, be-
coming boller, advanced in scattered parties to
the edge of these woods, and from 10 a. NJ. till
4 7, NJ. kept up random annoying fire upon
our men The lattor sheltered themselves Ms
well as they could, lying just below the ridge,
and awaited reinlorcements.
At d. then, our whole force had crossed and
ascendcd, Colonel Baker and staff with the rest.
aud the troops were suffering somewhat from
the concealed enemys fire. Many had dropped
and been carried down the hill
We asked Colonel Baker what he thought of
Affairs. lie said that he thought We had n good
position could fall back for shelter behind the
ridge. "ies," said we, but what's in those
woods z" lie answered: ''l think the enemy
are concealed on our right"
private had reported that there was no force
on the left, but deep rayine, hidden 10y the
woods. We then proposed sending skirmishcrs
TO make reconnaissance on the right, and Cap
tain Markoe, Second Lieutenant Williams, and
myself advanced with Companies aud D Of the
California Regiment. Company A got in front
on rising ground, in skrmishing order, Company
D following in line.
The California battalion, to make the story
clear, were drawn up on the left of the open
field the Massachusetts, Fifteenth aud Tammany
on the right, and the Massachusetts Twentieth
nearer the centre, Col. Coggswell took charge
Of the artillery. Only four guns were planted
in the field, the rtled gun having been hauled
up ut n wrong place, and being atterward seized
by the enemy and spiked.
When our skirmshing companies had reached
the edge OF the woods, suddenly the enemy
hitherto concealed, rose with yell and fired u
volley then began fighting in their usual mau-
ner; first giving ye and yOlley; then load
ing aud firing at will for few minutes then
ceasing on equal time; then giving another yell
and vOlley, aud so on, pouring murderous fire
into our little band for the space of half an hour
Tue whole woods around swarmtd with them.--
They had no artillery and no cavalry. Our
Rhode Islanders, except the officers, deserted
their guns, but Colonel Baker, Lieutenant Colonel
Wistdr, Colonel Coqgswel and AdJutuRt Harpcy
maaRed Me battery, and fired The guns themselves,
aided by Company G, First California, led by
the gallant Captain Beira (The latter was
conspicuous for bravery throughout the action I;
is wounded but not dangerously, aud is now
safe on Maryland ground)
We kept up both musketry aud cannon fire
as well as We could, but half the time we could
not see the enemy, aud his cowardly discharges
were thinning our ranks still most of the men
stood firm and acted brayely. The enemy s
yOlleys aud yells increased in oudness, and il
wis evident that reiniorcements were pouring in
to his aid. Captain Stewart General Stones
adjutant, came on the field with the cheering
statement that General German would shortly
support us,
AZ o. +. NJ. we held council of war, md
resolved to stand our ground, Gen. Baker or
derlng Inc to 60 for reinfOrcements. by this
time Ooggswe was wounded-Wistar had fallen.
The enemy were growing more daring, rushing
out of the woods, taking some prisoners aud
firing hotly.
just then II rebel officer, riding white horse,
came out of the woods and beckOued to us to
coine forward. Col, Baker thought il was Gen
Johnston, and that the enemy would meet us in
open fight.
Part of our column charged, Baker cheering
us ON, when tremendous onset was made by
the rebels. One man rode forward, presented u
revolver at Baker, and fired all its charges at
him. Our gallant leader fell, and ut the snme
moment all our lines were driven back by the
overwhelming force opposed to them, But
Capt. Beiral. with hs company, fought his way
hack to Col lAker'a body, rescued il, brought
IT along to me, and then general retreat COM
menepd
IL was sduve qm peut l got the Coonel's body
to the island before the worst Of the rout, aud
then, looking TO the Virginia shore, saw such a
spectacle as no tongue can describe. Our entire
forces were rereating, tumbing, rolling, leaping
down the steep heights; the enemy following
them, numbering, and taking prisoners. Col
Devan left his command and swan the river on
horseback, Col. Coggswell, after unayaling
bravery, had ordered the retreat himself hut
being wounded, was taken.
The one boat in the Vrginin channel was
speedily filled aud sunk. A thousand men
thr0uged the further bank. Muskeis, eeats. and
everything were thrown aside, and all were try.
ing 10 escape. Hundreds plunged into the raj pid
current, aud the shiieks of the drowning added
to the horror OF sounds aud sights The enemy
bept up their fire from the cliff above All was
terror, confusion aud dismay.
captain of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, at
one moment charged gallnntly up the hill lead
ing two companies who still had their arms,
against the pursuing foe. A moment later and
the same oihcer, perceivng the hopelessness Of
the situation, waved a white handkerchief, aud
surrendered the main body of his regiment
Other portions of the column surrendered but
the rebels kept up their fire upon those who
tried to cross, and many not drowned in the
river were shot in the act Of swimming.
Night came on. At P. NJ. oil of our band
whose fortune it was TO return had landed on
Harrison Island, and the firing from the Virginia
heights had ceased.
The rebels took all our guns but one. When
left yesterday they had shouted to US, telling
us to come over and take away our dead sons Of
b--s under Dag of truce had also mounted
our own guns on the heights, and warned us to
leave the island iu four hours.
The cause OF this sad havoc was that We had
no proper means Of transit and retreat.