The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-01
THE ARTILLERY IN THE BALLS BLUFF
RATLl r.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE OFFICER IN COMMAND
Ar THOMAS OxlEY's HoUsE,
NEAR CoSRADs FERRY Nd, Oct. "a, 1851.
Captain T. B. BUNTING, commanding Light Battery X,
detached Ninth regiment, New York State Militia:
SIR beg to submit you the following report Of my
participation in engagement which took place upon the
Virginia shore Of the Potomac opposite Harrsons Island
upon the 2lst inst.
During tho afternoon Of the 10th Captain Vaughn, of
tho Third Rhode Island battery came down to my camp
with section Of his battery when the command OF The
artillery there consisting Of his section and mine do
volved upon him. Tho night was passed without any
alarm and in the morning Captain Vaughn left 30 s. TO
his camp at Poclesve, attend matters concerning
his battery. During mis- absence, about one Y. NJ, a
courier arrived from General Baker, bidding We report
with all despatch TO him upon the Maryland sie OF ho
Potomac opposite Harrson's Island. Being the senior
artillery officer present. took command aud arrived at
the point designated with the four pieces In less than
half an hour. Here joined by Captain Vans IN
whe goon left us temporarily discover point troT
whence to shell the enemy from our side with effect
At the time Of arrival but little firing heard
upon the opposite Shore and that only Gesuitory Al
about half past Two p NJ however the firing of mlskcy
suddenly became very brisk accompanied by occasional
discharges OF artillery At this time General Baker, who
had been actively engaged III supcrntcndiag tho dcsa "a
one olieer who, am informed, Major Young, Of his
command, leaving word TO forward the artillery with al
despatch The means provided for this purpose CONSIST
ed Of two scows, manned BY poles, and which, owing
TO tic swiitness Of tho current, consumed
great deal VI time in the trip from the
mainland TO the island. Captain Vaughn not
having yet returned took command and ordered the i'm
mediate embarhaton of the pieces crossed with Tho
first piece (Which happened TO be Rhpdc Island piecc}
accompanied by Colonel gswell, of the Iamnany req
ment, arriving upon the island after half hour hard
labor TO keep the boat om floating down the stream We
assembled the steep bank, made soft and Sloppy by tie
passage OF the troops, and Mt rapid gaitcrosscd the
island to the second crossing. At this point found
only which did not dare to the piece
and the horses together, and thus lost further time by
being obliged to make Two crossings Upon arriving
ece and carriage and haul the former upby the proongc
q 70 infantry assisting in carrying the parts OF the latter
TO- point about thirty feet up pecpitos ascent,
DER ii almost impossible with soft mud, where
mon cd the piece and hitchng up the horses draggc il
throu III perfect ihckot up the open ground above
where The lighting was going on.
purin all this time the firing had continued with great
briskncss and that The cncmys fire very cl.ctual
WAS cyie, from the large number OF wounded and dead
who were cng borEe to the boats. But few moments
To 1ming ino position the firing had and
y hon arrived found that our resting. many
With arms Sta, faed in front OF them. The gro nd upon
which Was ssch IF the tight as engaged in open
space forming paraieograni, encloscd entirely in
woods Oar men <eefe disp sei in aseicrcie the right
and loft tcmn Of hich rested upon the woods WITH NJ
near rs could discern skirmshers thrown out upon each
flank while the ny OF our iiaes skirted the clh
ovefhansns tie river AZ nd n9, r, @ i y
many yards The ground s. oped from point about forty
yards from the c!ia sufficient. 70 aofa very 'oefaoe
for
Upon order Of General Bas, Y moved my piece
Onward into position in tn 2 entire e7eidstant
rom two howzers POSTED resrct iVey upon .ne rlsha
and lett Of our iacs hal hardly 60 hio p sioh when
The enemy who occupied the woods in ROM al Tie Other
ev, entity Of the opening and portion o. me distance
vs, the right and LEFT, opened upon severe IRE,
teo,nanT two Of my conRoneers immedatay respond
"a aud CO. itinned rapid fire pnt all but .t"o " my
cannoncers were wounded and left me. Among 'hese,
tre n,reh AMI ,.,yard. Finding no other anya nor
nv primers Ia The lin her chest obtained the assistance
ii some infantry Sellers and halcd the piece down to
tie c@r; After fcv mn. 'sV an ss, ,i ,ioe pouch
found and brought TO me, tn "o't "i,m oo'efea
il showing painly tho cause of its disapp. ,o,,
Al this time there was but one cannoneer (ts. onop
~ the piece The piece was brought into position by the
aid Of General Eaker, Colonel Cogswel Colonel lee q
think that bis Eamc) and Captain stewart, OF General
stones staff Assisted by these gentlemen, the hng
was resumed AMI maintained until they were Obliged 10
for volunteers, whom obtained from tho IN antry
would b. glad % have been able to distinguish who they
that came 70 my aid, for they worked w.. frtat
zeal and cgon but the similarity 81 uniforms IRE.
vented would beg, however. IS call attention % che
young fellow wi9so nsue ! obtained lie is private
(Boothl CsInraRy T. California regiment who rendered
hue great assistance, al times being the only one with me
AZ the piece.
90 not trow how long ,lrnc the rccc was engaged
bit Judge 70 have be (silowng for all ineryas) ABOUT
ha'f hour The number Of rounds estimated at from
clgh,een 70 twenty. none e whi,h think failed
not IN any 40 yards rnd separate
times reserved tho Gre un could riainiy discern the
eremy advancing up the Slope 1t i0J 70 $50 eet distant
The expedcngyct this was demonstrated in the hasty
and dsordetcd returning Il the creny's centre. Tho
last round which cred VIXEN the eacmy had lanigcd
the left ani pouring ia deadly ire from that
quarter, Wei from the fr,t ato9t the moment
when Baker fell At tho head Of hts men Finding
that tbs battle 0ss and wlh but man lett
% ana tisooh o. tie California rsgimont), whom
have already mentioned and growing weak and stiff from
my wounds or Which received three, none Dangerous
eausi the piece To ~ drawn down the edge Of the
chs whence Afterwards thrown d0wn, lodging IN
the rocks and logs xh which tbe descent was cu,ntored
nni assiscd ~ Two prNates ~ The Fifteenth Massa
cAnsetis regrep na3e ny way - the BOAT aud over to
the llaAd Here f0nnl my section aud the other
piece belonging 10 tie Rhode Island secsin ore 81 which
had had and leaving diecilns ~ connaad the ford nj
the upper end q TIE Island VIII. peces aud 10 hold
tie other IN ~ act where crenfas ancas might
require ad e. tho retreat our own nfautrs
crossed 20 The mainland hal rsi Despatched snes;an
scr for Lieut. Clark = oiT battery Wh5 en ~ arrived
ami tofk command Tho only poeaiic with which fnf.
Munit'on chtfi was provided The JAes she'll Ihaye
bccn told by those from the rst and lost rho could cor
rtciy observe ther oci thai te brrsi and with graa,
elect Tbs short fercc a. Which they were bred would OF
course hardy adR.t ct any very agreeable deviation
from direct coaTsc, sGgl has been remarked
81 the p-ejactlc. capnot speak TOO wei ~ Tic
conGgct - the brave follows who belongeh IS he
Iecci Who I'D tue exception, rcr ned "a al ir pory
eui woanfei and driven away. ihesosgecisy 10 men.
ton seiteant Tucker, Private, cefmihael Mldiaons
(two bguihegs) tcg tcr with H. drivers and an others
wAoss nefacs O. rt arpw. ltAd ~ u nU n tha bar
terry horses as my saddle horse fmy cwh brp uGt for
uscl ulQa hat eAy, Nh.el Nas kAed b. bail through
the 10 enr The g.cce, hive since learned was tx
by tie eaemy Dh Tiers were ~, eight or ten rounds