New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-05

yer, be spraSg from bis conch ~ once, enn goinB
o bis Caliiorpians, informed tbem in a tone OF
cheerful promise, that TIE opportunity had cone at
last, for them TO distinguish themselves 10 battle
He gave them hut two hours 10 prepare theiTrations
and then required them to rarch. In two hours
later he stirred the whole brigage, and having started
the California battalion or to Coonrad Ferry under
Lieut. Col wistar, he remained with tie bulk Of ~
iroops, 10 bring tEem on hiuself.
TIE OPERATIONS or MONDAY.
While Col Baker was thus preparing lis brigade,
Col Devine wns engaged in crossing from Hsrlfon's
Island 20 The VIRGINIA shore with his fsur companies,
hut though he Lad begun the operation as early ss
O'Clock the exact bour wien COL Baker received his
or5eis 1t was 6ay-brsak owing TO the fact of having
onlv two boas to effect the passage, before they were
ready 10 take up their march. As they debarked
from tie scows, Col. Lee of tie Massachusetts @O,h
.tood on The IigG Th 100 men u project tie crossing
and 70 eorer IRE return. repeat the Italics lere,
because il has been said in the report of Capt Hncks
that "the landing place on the Virginia sboIe was
unfortunately selected" and il is proper that the re-
rroach, if any, should not fall on Col Baker. Col.
Deyns set out on the fame road which had previ-
ousIy been taken by Capt Philbrck but to distract
stlt nion from his movements, Gen. s. one directed
Gen. German, at Edwardss Ferry, to send over two
companies of tie lst Mnnesota, and make, from the
same direction, reconnaissance, with squad "i
cavalry along the Leesburg road. Thie squad,
which was thirty in number, was under the command
of NJ sjor Mix, and it wae accompanied by Lord Tenn
rest Vsne, who, under The title of Capt. CT as Stew
art was acting AdjulantG fer Stonei and atc
bv Capt. Murphy ard Leuts. Gouraud and Pierce.
This party directed to 60 no further along the
Leefburg road, from Edwards's Ferry, than the
vicinity of hidden battery, which was known TO be
in that direction. They were then to turn Oft and
examine the country leween that and Gocse Creek,
and, If attacked 10 return rapidly TO cover behind
tie tkirmishers Of tie Minnesota Ist. This recon
pofsance, says the report Of Gen. Stone, was moe,
gallanily conducted. Tie party proceeded along the
Aetburs road until near the hidden battery, when
it came suddenly mon Il MisfissipIi regiment, re-
oeiv,d i,s fire at less than forty yards, and then,
wbIlDg round, returned II with their revolvers &c
n ey hurried of. One Of horses was thot down,
bot bis rider vas seized by Gouraud aud drawn upon
the saddle behind in; while the horse Was replaced
by tie capture Of one Of the Virginia cavalry, whom
tLey took prisoner during their gallop back.
Deyins, meanwhile, with bis Massachusetts, men,
kept advancing toward the reaeberousy silent town
Of Leesburg but wien lie arrived at tie position
designated ~ tie site Of III tmall camp, be found
nobe there, discovering that Philbrek, deceived by
the uu, ,eriain light, had mistaken openings in tie
trees for rows OF tentr. Finding good position
however, 10 conceal hs force, Devins rent back a
O.. l.. f,t,.afsa
ht tcordug to directions. In order to protect him
while be- was thus employed the General, on reeoiv-
ing report Of Lis position, sent ten cavalry l. JOIN
hin, aud slfo directed Lieut.-Col NaId OF tho ljh
Massacl ufetts with bis battalion TO pofi-
lio On tie right IN order that bo might protect the
ColoBels flank On his return. Capt. Candy Of Gen.
Laneers staff accompanied this ,quad, Tut for some
reason never explained 10 me- says Gen. Stone IN
bic report, neither Of tleee oIdus were carried
OUT. The cavalry crof,ed ard came back, but old
not advance firm the flore, "GLd tLus," continues
Gen. Sione, "CoL DeyiEs wGs deprived Of The
means of obtaining waning Of any approach Of ibs
enemy"
Thi, Is q serious and sweeping secuation, for had
not Col. Dsvins become 70 enaDgled with the enemy
that il required great sacrifice Oh Col. Bakers pant
California Brigade would bot lave been forced into
the tolls and tie draster Of the sequel would never
ave been known. But there il another thought
that con es up here and tLat Ia, that after tie
baikslion feut OF the previous afternoon bud put the
enemy upon ,be watch, Deyips wss probably under
observation from the moment Of bis lauding. The
enemy, acute in everything, and having him quite
sae, could Afford ,hsrk like, TO poise him,elf for
a heavier prey. This would have been a natural ar
tGce under d full knowledge Of tie circumstances,
and many nilitsry men believe it 10 have been the
clte.
Leaving the Virginia picture for while, and with.
ont soIIing to speculate upon the movements Of the
rebels rust return 10 tie gLt bank VI the Poto
mac, and notice tie proceedings there.
According to the programme laid down for Gen.
Baker, lie had forwarded his California battalion TO
Coonrads Ferry, and they remained there under
Wistar until near a. IN, at which time COL Baker,
having put bic brigade in shape, huriedforward and
~ pesred at the Ferry among them. As soon as he
rode up he asked Wistar, who WAS sitting on the
bank, If be bad received any orders and what they
were. ave are 10 cross" said Wistar, III We
hear heavy firing" Baker then looked ut the shore,
and not seeing anything the way Of poniooDs or in
the shape OF boats, except two email sized wretcbed
tcows, he turned again to Wlsar with a smile, and
ashed Nhat are you going TO Cross in p Wisiar
made no answer, as the condition OF affairs seemed
TO answer of itself, upon which the Colonel, with
the same tmile upon his face, tned his horses head
ard ealloped toward Edwardss Ferry.
Forwb bat took place at this interview between Col.
Baker and Gen. Stone we must refer to the Generals
report Gen. Stone rays in bis report, that after Col.
Baker bad reported TO him there in person, he ex.
aiDed 70 Baker tie advance Drainsville, by Ne
Gail, and the whole position OF aiIrs that had super
yened and then directed him 10 go TO Hanisons
Islaud n.snme comm and and add 10 Liz fnrmer fnrr