The Hillsborough recorder., 1861-10-30
THE BATTLE OF LEEsBURG.


We are enabled to lay before our readers
some interesting particulars Of the great bat
tie near Leesburg. received from gentleman
who was in the immediate vicinity of the
fight. These statements. it will be remem-
bered, embody observations made on the
evening Of the 2lst., before the full extent OF
our victory was ascertained. The battle CON-
nrnced early Monday morning, and lasted
throughout the day. The Yankees crossed
the Potomac the previous night, and contin-
ued 10 come over in large numbers as the
fight progressed. until from eight to ten thou
sand we're landed on the Virginia side. They
were met BY the forces under Gen. Evans.
viz: The 9th Virginia regiment, Col. Hun
ton; the 18th Mississippi. Col. Bark sdale |;
the 18th Mississippi. Colonel Featherston,
and the 8th Mississippi, Colonel Burt.
The engagement very soon became general,
and the lighting was terrible on both sides,
the Yankees being protected by heavy for
est and having the advantage in ground and
position. They were routed three distinc.
times at the point Of the bayonet. and as often
heavily reinforced. In one charge the Sth yir-
ginia captured splendid brass battery and put
It's men to ingIorious flight. The enemy we're
finally pursued to the vi,er's brink, where,
being unable 10 recross with facility, they
made desperate stand, but their doom was
sealed. Our brave volunteers charged them
and scattered them like leaves to the winds
aud waters. Our informant states that they
were cut all to pieces. aud that the battle
field was thickly strewn with their dead and
wounded. The prisoners, Of whom great
number were taken. said without hesitation
that our gallant iroaps fought ike deUils."
The loss upon our side had not been ascer.
tsined with accuracy on Monday evening,
though our tclegraphic adsiees have since
reported il At three hundred in killed and
wounded. This, however. Is not comparable
to the loss Of the enemy. We have a, this
time no particulars, except that Col. Burt, Of
the 18th Mississippi, was badly wounded, and
Col. Tebbs. luf what regiment is MT stated, j
slightly. Our informant saw 500 Yankee
prisoners marching by. aud upwards Of 200
more were captured. These men reported
that at least 500 Of their comrades we're
drowned while attempting to reeross the Po.
tomac.
Our troops fought under great dissdvan.
tages. They underwent heavy march on
the previous day. with but two meals slept
on their arms in the open air all night. aud
went into battle on Monday morning with
but an apology fora breakfast. They fought
all day, without refreshments of any sort.
and without reinforcements. against a vastly
superior fnrce, to which constant additions
we're made from the Maryland shore. Tru.
". Providence has once more prospered cur
cause. Our victnry Is glorious aad com pleie.
No, one man on our side exhibited any signs
Of fear, but all fought desperately and brave
W to adopt The Language Of our informant
+" as only gentlemen can fight"
The object of this movement Of the FEEDER.
alisis seems to have been 10 ouliiank our ar.
my on the left, as part of McClellan's plan
Tor an advance upon our lines. The result
was so disastrous that the aspiring Federal
General may have to draw largely upon his
strategical science in the adoption Of some
other method or possibly he NAV be SUPER
seded IN consequence Of this great reverse al
the outset Of his career.
Other verbal accounts of the battle on
Monday represent that the scene az the river,
when the enemy attempted 20 recross, was
fearfol. The rattle Of musketry. and the |
sharp crack Of the Mississippi rife. mingled
with shrieks Of drowning men. and the panic
was scarcely less widespread than thai Of
the elst Of Jaly. just three months before.
The Federal prisoners. numbering 52S. we're
under guard on the battle field al Manassa
yesterday morning.
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