Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-10-31
{ From the National btelligencer, Oct. %.
Battle Of HarriSOn'S Island.

by the reports OF letter writers and panic
makers as dsgraceful to the Federal arms
as well as bloody, but which, in truth,
was so eminently honorable to the cour-
age and conduct of our troops. that we
are glad to be able to lay before our
readers the subjoined correct history of
the brilliant affair. for which we are in
debted to very intelligent gentleman.
who was near the scene when the battle
was fought, who afterwards informed
himself authcritatively of the particulars
Of the engagement and its objects, and
who left Edwards Ferry day before yes
terday,
THE AFFAIR AT HARRISON'S ISLAND
In one respect the engagement on
Monday at Harrison's Island, by Gen.
Bakers brigade, of Maj General Stone s
| advance, was among the most remark
able in the rld's annals of battles. OF
sixteen hundred men engaged, who held
out for niue hours against an overwhelm-
| ing force Of the enemy, little more than
half have returned to their camps on the
Maryland shore. On rare occasions in
the history of battles has such per
centage of loss been witnessed. 1t
abundantly attests the cool courage and
daring of the troops, and will stand the
Thermopyle of this war.
An impression most incorrect with
regard to the morale of this battle en-
dangers the reputation of the survivors,
and does great injustice to the real cha
racter and results of the movement, as
devised and planned by General Stone
Though our troops have now been with
drawn from the Virginia shore and the
lines of rebel pickcts now confront Ed
wards Ferry, change of plan we are
not here to discuss, we desire that it
should not be fors gotten how gallantly
and we'll the crossing Of the Potomac
was won, in the face of and thwarting
the intentions of the enemy. Not to
speak of false impressions we desire to
correct, we have before us the result of
the careful investigations of reporters
who have visited the locality and the
camps of regiments engaged, and we are
greatly mistaken if it does not appear
therefrom that in all respects the achieve
ment was real and valuable one, though
purchased at heavy loss.
The enemy were in possession Of the
Virginia shore, and fully advised of
Cen Stones intended movement. There
are two ferries across the Potomac at that
place-one of them Conrad's, at the head
of Harrison S island, long narrow tract
of four hundred acres, in mid.stream,
and the other Edwards ferry, six miles
below, on the direct road from Pooles-
vile to Leesburg. 1t was Gen. Stones
plan to divert the attention of the enemy
from both these to a third point, of his
own selection, five miles above Edwards
ferry, at the foot of Harrison's island,
and by making feint of throwing over
his whole column at that place invite the
rebel attack; while at Edwards's ferry,
thus left free, the main body could be
moved across without hindrance. And
just thus was done.
If we are understood in this brief
statement the fact will stand that the
litt,o force of the gallant and lamented
Baker became as it were forloru hope,
which, at fearful risk and result to them
selves, purchased immunity and safe
crossing for the main body.
Gen. Baker received the order for the
movement on Sunday. The same eve.
ming Capt Philbrick and Lieut. Howe,
of Col Devens' 18th Massachusetts. with
twenty men, crossed tie river at the
s0'at e'sav -aaA
IS vitl.. mile
aou : .,,af Leesburg, and returned,
reporting thS. no enemy hsd been seen.
al through that night. ~ fs ciities Tor
transport far too incomplete and unmili.
tafy for the purpose, Gen. Baker was
throwing over his force; and at dav.
break the first line was formed at Balls
Bluff, about eighty feet above the river,
offering on the top an area of several
hundred acres, surrounded by trees, save
in the angle to the southwest. where a
and corn field, with the corn in
the shocks. opened out to the main road
The force Of General Baker was about
l ZOO strong. made up of broken regi-
ments. The Massachusetts 18th had |
700 men present. the Goth Massachu-
sets only three companies, the CaIifor-
MIA Brigade about 600 men, and the
Tammany On. " Regiment two or
three companies. There were also two
howitzers of Ricketts, United States
battery, drawn by drag ropes, and one
James's riAed gun of the Sd Rhode
Island battery, to the command of which
Lieut. Bramhall was detailed from the
New York 9th.
The first attack of the enemy was
made about six o'clock. from rude rife
pits in the corn field. This was met by
| gallant charge of the Massachusetts
18th, who drove the enemy from their
'overts at the point of the bayonet.-
After sharp work for some three hours
.long the whole line, the enemy being
iept in check with three pieces of artil-
cry, they themselves using only rifles
md cavalry carbines in the action, a
ull took place. during which it would
'ppear, from the very misapprehension
General Stone had designed to create,
he rebels were drawing their whole
or,o &c.,. bo,a onJ ba1ou,