Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-10-29
che Ohio 6tatesmam
TEE rs.
TRrom the New York World.
BATTLE OF LEESBURG HEIGHTS
STATEMENT OF CAPT. FRANCIS q. YOUNG.
WAsHINoroN, Wedn esday, Oct. %.

Now comes the naked truth, In all its stun.
ming and distressing horrors. Col. Baker's BODY
has just arrived in town, guarded by squad of
Van Aliens Cavalry, and Ia now lying in the
mansion Of Col. ]. w. Webb. Capt. Francis
9. Young, of New York, Quartermaster OF
Bakers Brigade, came in command OF the sad
cavalcade, accompanied by Major Smith, OF the
California First. Having obtained surmise of
the real position of affairs, had started for
Edwards's Ferry this evening, but meeting the
procession have returned with my friend Capt.
Young, from whose lips take down the fol-
lowing terrible summary of Mondays events
condensing IL as much az possible in order to
forward 1t by to nights mail:
We have met with sickening repulse; one
involving the loss Of nearly one thousand men,
In killed, wounded, and missing, and of many
brave and skilliul officers; and accompanied by
scenes OF horror unequaled In any previous bat
tle Of the war.
CAPT. FRANCIS O. YouEG's STATEMENT.
On Sunday evening, Gen. Stone, being per-
suaded that no important force Of the enemy re.
mained along the Upper Potomac, and in obe-
dience to orders from headquarters, commenced
bis passage Of the river at Harrison's Island
The point OF transit was about FIVE miles above
Edwards's Ferry, and nearly an equal distance
hSm 1cOoSubs hO iutnuu 10 lOWS iCtbiO
strip Of land, several miles In length, 80 diyid-
ing the river that the Maryland channel is not
q furljng in width, and that on the Virginia side
not more than 200 feet.
Six companies of the Fifteenth Massachusetts,
Regiment, under Col. Devan, and two compa-
MES Of the Twentieth (Tammany) New York,
arrived at the river about 2 P. NJ. Monday, and
commenced 10 cross. At sunrise they were all
on the Virginia eide. 4.a
Before daylight an order came to Col. Baker
TO march on the first battalion Of the California
Regiment to Conrai's Ferry, two miles south of
the Island, and then, II he heard firing, 20 to
| the support of Coggswell and DevaD. Accord
lngly, Leut.-Col. Wistar advanced with the
battalion, 659 officers and men, and by sunrise
had reached the river and proceeded down to
the island crossing. | accompanied the force to
arrange for transportation. Was sent to re-.
port for orders to Gen Stone. Returned, hav.
ing received command to cross at once. On my
way back | overlook Col. Baker, who told nc
that only the battalion were to CROSS. He had
no orders for the brigade
Shortly after General Stone placed Colonel
Baker in command Of all the forces on the Vir-
ginia side. Our battalion then, at about A.
NJ commenced crossing to the island, and from
thence to the further shore. Meantime we
could hear skirmishing shois on the heights,
which continued without much intermission
through the morning.
Now We began to experience the difficulty
which was the chief cause Of the terrible scenes
which closed the day.
| No adequate means of Transportation had been
provided. IL seemed as if the column was ex-
pected to walk across on the water surface
Nothing but one old scow, capable of holding
perhaps iorty men, appeared available on either
side Of the island. II the Massachusetts, mer
had had any other boats they we're not visible II
the morning. At length discovered q larg,
scow In the canal, and two hours were consum
ed In getting it over into the Maryland channel
IL would hold about sixty men. Colonel Baker
Lieutenant Colonel Wistar, Assistant AJjutant
, General Harvey and myself went with the frs
load to the Island, and there superintended tn
transit Of our men
IL was l2 NJ. before our first company lande,
at the foot OF the bush.covered preclpice whiol
rises abruptly over one hundred feet from th
river bed on the further side of the river. Fou
hours more had elapsed before the last compa
ny landed. Sections OF the Second Rhode Isl
and Bat cry, comprising two howitzers, two fell
smooth-bores, and one riaed gun, went over will
Us, the men dragging them up the heights will
great difficulty and spirit. @
All this time irregular fighting was going o
above. II seems that Colonel Devan had in th
morning moved with o small detachment 10 Oh
direction Of Leesburg, shortly after his force
had crossed, had advanced one mile, there me
the enemy's skirmishers in feeble force, an
had retired TO the brow of the heights. Befor
this the Quartermaster Of the Massachusetl
Fifteenth had gone alone 10 o point within
mile Of the village, had returned, crossed th
river, and reported TO General Stone that ther
were no hostile forces In that region. But afte
!, c. lionel Devan fell back his men were placed
semi circular clearing, or natural forest opeI
ing. covering FIVE or six acres, with its bas
resting on the edge Of the heights, and fanke
and ironted by the forest. The enemy, becon
iug bolder, advanced in scattered parties TO Ii
edge Of these woods, and from 10 A. M. till
P. M. kept random, annoying fire upon ou
men. The latter sheltered themselves as we
as they could, lying just below the ridge, an
awaited reinforoements. n. -sr.
At 4, then, our whole force had crossed an
ascended, Colonel Baker aud staff Nithlthe res
aud the troops were suffering somewhat fro
the concealed enemy's fire. Many had dropps
and been carried down the hill.
We asked Colonel Baker what he thought
affairs. He said he thought we had q good pos
tiou could fall back for shelter behind the ridg
UYes," said we, but what's In those woods
He answered: "I think the enemy are conceal,
: on our right" A private had reported that the
was no force on the left, but deep ravine, hi
den BY the woods. We then proposed sendiI
skrmishers to make reconnaissance on d
Fright, and Captain Markoe, Second Lieutena
. Williams, and myself advanced with Compani
!, "A and d Of the Calfofnls Regiment. Comp
q ny A got in front on rising ground, In skirms
q ing order, Company d following in line
~ The California battalion, 10 make the sto
e clear, was drawn up on the left Of the op
D. ield; the Massachusetts Fifteenth and Tamm
ny on the right, and the Massachusetts Twen'
eth nearer the center. Col. Coggsweli TOT
charge Of the artillery. Only four guns We
planted In the field, the riaed gun having be,
. hauled up atthe wrong place, and being ate
| ward seized by the enemy and spiked. u b.
When our skirmishing companiee had reac
liz ed the edge OF the woods, suddenly the enem
3 hitherto concealed, rose with yell and fred
oi yolley; then began fighting In their usual ma
ner; first giving yell and volleyi then loa
ing and firing at will for q few mlIiutes; Oh
cessing an equal time, then giving another y
q and yolley, and 90 on, pouring q mnrderous Q
into our little band for the space Of half
hour. . The whole woods around sWarmed wi
!. them. They had no artillery and no caval
:. Our Rhode Islanders. except The officers, desc
= ed their guns, but Colonel Baker, Lieutena
- Colonel Wistar, Colonel .Coggssell, and Ad
tsnt Harvey manned tho battery. and fired
guns themselves, aided by company G. Fl
California, led by the gallant Captain Beir
(The latter wasg conspiouous for brave
throughout the action; is,wounded. but .
; dangerously, and 10 now safs on Maryla
ground) u eC--qSa,xiz.a .a4EesgS- STLs ,
1, We kept mp both o muakesry and cannon Z
40 well ~ We could, but bali the ume we COZ
} Z notsss the enemy. aud his eowsrdly disoharl