The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-11-13
1HE BATTLE UF LEEsBJ RG.

Bluff, midway between Conrad's Ferry, aud op
pOsiGe Hsrison's Island, has been gleaued irou
authentic sources:
| On Sunday night, Col. Devens, OF the Fiteenlt
Massachusetts, Who had Tor some time guar deo
HsTrisou's Island with one company, ordered
Capt Phiibrick, of Company II, apd Quarter
nisster Howe, Of his staff, with detachment VI
tweAty nen, 10 scout the Virginia shore Ia the
direction oi Le.sbarg. They crossed fiom the
Island 10 the shore. and executed the order b,
approaching within three ioui tbs OF a miie vi
Leesburg, returning 10 their starting point about
lU O'Clock al night, discOve. ing, as they suppo
sed, sniAil camp one nile or more isom Lees
burg
On reporting TO Col. pevens, the latter, with
about 500 men, pushed forward by direction oi
! Gen. Stone IN the saline locality, with oiders IL
destroy the camp at day-break and return, aid
Col. Devens reniaining with his COMMAND
concealed, sent back word that no enem,
Vas i'll sight, apt. Phllbrick's company taking
all advanced position while the remaining com
panes we're concealed as a reserve III case vi al,
attack OF the advance. When about mile an0
halt from the fiver, aud 5VU yards II, advane,
of Col. Devens reserve, Capt. fnilorick, accom
panied by Col. Devens III person attacked aud
drove back COMPANY OF Mississippi Iihe
Men, and then Tell back 10 the resei ve concealed
III The rear, Oh the appearance vi body OF reb
el Cavalry. La the skIi mish Capt PhIlsrick haG
dfhcuiIy IN getting near enough 10 the enem.
for Ills smooth bore guns 10 have much effect,
whereas the other used long range rifles on oui
forces.
Al day break, and at the same hour that Col
Devens' commaud lett tie shore TO make the al
vance, Col. Lee Of the Twentieth Mass, sent
over one company of his regiment, which re
NAMED on the shore to cover the return OF Col
Devens.
Col. Devens maintained his ground and Wa
reinforced during the morning by three hundred
more OF his regiment, under Lieut. Ward. A
bout O'Clock he was attacked by a considerable
body of rlfemeu, who attempted to Outtiank
him. Fearing they might be successful, and al
ter resisting them for some time, Col. Devens
retreated III perfect order to the river, where
Col Baker had arrived with battalion of th,
California Regiment, commanded by lieutenant
Colonel Wster. Col. Baker then took the com
mand, first complimenling Col. Devens for his
successful resistance to superior fo,ce, and Civ
ing his command, now less than six hundred
men, the right OF the line OF battle, the center
and left wing being formed Of about three hun
dred OF the Massachusetts Twentieth, under
Col Lee, aud the California battalion, about five
hundred IN number, urder Lieut. Col. Wister
rwO mountain hOwltzers commanded by Lieut.
French, and one piece of the New York battery,
commanded. by Lieut. Bramhall, were in front OF
the center just previous to the commencement
vi the action.
The attack was commenced BY the enemy on
our right, but was soon directed more heavily to
the ceLter and lett
For about two hours the battle ragged terrf
cally, a complete shower of leacen hail pouring
upon US. Three several times the left of tn.
line made ali advance, but were compelled to re-
turn as often. The right was better protected,
and held their position.
All order came from Col. Baker to throw two
companies of the fifteenth Massachusetts, TO the
Center, which was Immediately executed. This
produced the impression that the battle was 60
ing against us, but caused no confusion or dis
:uay. The .eft was hard pressed, but remained
hrm. About this time the news spread that Col.
Baker was killed While in the act of pushing
u cannon forward with his shoulder TO the wheel
he was pierced by SIX balls tie was evidently
The object OF the enemy's sharp p-shOoters. After
tins there WAS Cessation OF fire tor "A few MN
utes during which, Col Cogs~el of the Tam
many Regiment, arrived with two companies,
and he being the senior officer, the command
devOlved on him. In short time it became
evident to Col. Cogswell that the day was lost
and he thought il best TO cut bis way through
10 Edwards Ferry, where Gen. Gorman Ia
charge throwing over reiniorcements by drec
ton OF Gen. Stone, who was in sight of the bat
tie field at Edwards Ferry, directing the genera
movements.
An ord now issued to transfer the Fifteenth
Massachusetts from the right TO the LETT, whici
was executed as calmly as a battalion drill.
Col. Cogswell soon became satisfied of the i'm
nfr Il IA
ted, and gave an order to fall back toward tn,
river, which was executed as well as the crcum
stances would permit. They reached the rive'
bank about twenty minutes before nighttall
Here the Fifteenth deployed as skirmisheri
along the shore. The only means OF convey
ance &c the island was large boat capable o
carrying about forty persons, which was over
crowded add swamped The troops remaining
on the shore mace a desperate resistance, and 1
is believed that the enemy took conparativel!
few prisoners IN consequence.
Those who could SWIM plunged into the water
those carrying their arms who could, aud Other
throwing them into the river TO prevent thei
falling into the enemy's hands. Some escapes
by svailing themselves of the darkness aud tn
heavily wooded banks but several are known q
have been drowned in the waters OF the POtO
mac. the behavior OF our troops before a su
pcriOr number OF the enemy, was marked as We
~ noble, brave aud enduring.
Near the close OF the action, and after the da
was irretrievsbly lost, the two recently arrive
companies of the Tammany Regiment made
desperate charge, but we're NET with terrl6
fire by the enemy. 1t is probable that a reb,
officer was mistaken for one of our commander.
who appeared in front ard gave the orders {
charge.
The brave Lieut.. Bramhall. Of the New Yor
Ninth Battery, lost one of his guns, and va
himself wounded severely, but NOT fatally.
The gallant Lieut. French, Of the HowitZe
Battery, fred with his own hands four shots ate
the day was lost, and his men scattered. II
was shot in the LETT breast and ankle, but NJ
mortaiy wounded.
On reaching the island, which he did by throw
ing bis sword and revolvers into the river, al
swimming across, Col Devens at once poste
thirty Of his men TO prevent any attempt of th
enemy at pursuit. This force was subsequent
augmented by the arrival Of other companis
from the Mary land shore, under Col. Hincks,
the 18th Massachusetts,. Col Deven5 receive
a slight confusion in the breast from a musk,
ball
The forces which crossed the Potomac vel
, as follows:
First battalion of the Cal. Regt. $50
Mass. 18th Reg't-, about 1,0O0
Mass 2oth Reg't., about 500
} Tammany Reg't., 200
Total, 2,3s9
The California Regiment took over Of me
and officers six hundred and eighty nine. II
dro~ned are about 6ity; the killed thirty; Il
prisoners three hundred, and the wounded OF
hundred and twenty five; total five hundred Al
five- safe ahout one hundred and 81 oht -fou