Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-11-14
The Battle of LeesbVrg,


The correspondent of Philadelphia paper thus de-
scrbes the appearance of the troops when carried back
from old Virginia shOre:"
All reached here at A. NJ, and the appearance of
some of them painful indeed. They had stood in
line of battle from twelve to fourteen hours without
moving and without water food. They had sleep
for two days and nights, and nearly exhausted
Some dragged their muskets along by the end and SEEM
ed to sleep as they walked along.
The Minnesota First were the nearest exhausted of
any, but we heard no grumblug. All seemed thankful
to have got over safe; not injured in the
crossing, nor any baggage lost; everything
safe. Generals German and Stone personally superin
tended the crossing and we're the last to leave Gen
German has been in the saddle for two days and nights
The appearance of some of our troops was the most
distressing sight witnessed Many Of them were
nearly naked; some had nothing but overcoats some
only pair of pants, and but few with Shoes most Of
them were without arms and ammunition Most of the
wounded had been sent to PoolesvlIe and to the
est camps.
A correspondent of the New York Tribune states
the following il his account Of the Leesburg battle:
At this juncture Gen. Baker, who had dismount-
ed from his horse, and advancing at the head Of his
command, coQy, but resolutely encouraging his men,
received ball through his head killing him instantly
The Generals blood bespattered Capt. CrownngsaieId,
who stood beside him at the moment. He spoke
his body immediately taken to the rear 10y his men,
who freely wept at their loss. He placed ScoW
and transported the island and thence to the Mary
land shore His remains to EdWurds Ferry, and
thence to Poolsve. His horse which had been left
standing, was afterwards shot small canvass satch-
ell containing his papers, saw in the hands of young
man to whom they were delivered shortly before he fell
This was the turning point of the battle The Con-
federats were five to of the Union force and the
latter were finally ordered to leave the field The
treat was made after the Bull Run pattern, with slight
improvements the men rolling, sliding, aud almost
turning summersaults down hill, to escape the calling
fire which now assailed them tromal points The Con-
fderatcs were constantly reinforced, screaming like tu
res at each onset. Before retreating they threw the
six pounder down the hill into the river The howitz-
ers were lot the field and tell into the enemys hands.
The Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts, regi-
ments suffered very severely losing large part Of their
number in killed and w0uIded.
The TanmaDy regiment covered itself with glory
Capt o Neara often rallied his command, throwing de-
ance into the very teeth Of the enemy and showing the
Opfedgates that he could equal to the worst Of
them Captain O'Meara took charge Of the landing,
and refused let any but wounded men enter the noa
ordering the sound troops to go back and pepper the
Confederaes. His conduct very gallant through
ont eylncing true and lofty courage. Lieut.. Messer
took comsand of the sc0w and continued to ferry over
the wounded who poured down the hill Several times
the COnfederaes fired upon him be crossing with
the wounded men. The fourth h0at-load was capSzed
by the men rushing into it N too great numbers and
the whole party about fifty in number well and Wound-
ed were preciptated into the stream Ten OF the par
~ at least were drowned A great many tried to SWIM
the river and sank from exhaustion One halt OF those
who are missing were drowned 10 this manner Ii is
not vet known how many OF our men have fallen INTO
their hands The destruction efhfe has been far g. eat
er, in proportion to the numbers engaged ina" al b
Run
| THE sHARPsH0OTERs OF THE BATTLE.
Tho New York Journal of Commerce thinks there
were some rebel shappshooterS at the battle OF Leeshug
and indulges in the following specuatlons: :
The battle of Edwards Ferry supplies another proof
that harpshooting is the chief characteristic nj thIf
war. OF the California Regiment the Coonel was klll
cd the Lieutenant Colonel Major and Adjutant wound
cd and FIVE Captains are dead and missing, and tWC
wounded. Of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment
the Colonel and Leuenant-Colonel were wounded, hVe
| Captains killed and three wounded
These two regiments were in the beat of battle and
| suffered most severely. The number OF klleo anO
wounded officers is far out of proportion to that OF tne
nrivates Every man with a sword and shouder-strap
who could be seen in front by the SIDE OF MS col
mand was without doubt, the common target OF cozen
of rebel sharpshooers concealed IN Woo0s
or rife pits at distance OF from two TO tour nunoret
yards Colonel Baker pierced with Six oallS ON
or officers with two or three and those who escaped un
hnrt were orazed once or twice. 1t is said that Ont
officer was hit four times in various parts OF nlS unO1A
and eouipments without personal injury Inc Klilne
or manning of all these officers was equivalent 10 de
eatng the two regiments. In the absence OF aruier.
and cavalry the rebel sharpshooters may claim 70 naV
won the battle of Edwards Ferry. How much haVo
our sharpshooters caused among the enemy there Is n
means of knowing but it is rot unlikely lna1 'a
number of their officers too were dropped
Against these deadly Minnie balls there no eiieetV
nrecaution that brave man would wish 10 ADOPT
Nothing but complete coat of mail from c own 10 SOL
conld save him from the searching bullets. A Dali
nroof chain armour f one could be made or the seE
breastpates worn by the Cent Gardes of Napoleon LII
would be of no avail The chest might escape but pre-
sently bali from some shapshooter OF extraerdlnar