The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
NEW SERIES-NO. 4I8

ness, aud for short time the firing was ra.
pid, when the two pieces of artillery opened
upon the enemy well directed fire,
doing fearful execution, causing them
to give way in very great confusion, and
make hasty retreat within their breast
works near Leesburg, suffering ioss of
sixty killed and wounded, as ascertained
from their wounded and from citizens in
the vicinity. The loss in my brigade is one
killed, and one severely wounded, both be.
longing to Company |, First Regiment
Minnesota Volunteers. On the 23d. by the
Generals order, directed further intrench-
ments around the enemy's works. | also
had the fences, yards and lanes barricaded
ond strengthened with logs, rails, old plows,
wagons and lumber. On The night OF the
23. about Sc en- O'Clock, the General ordered
me again to proceed to the Maryland side
and take charge OF the crossing OF artillery
anu more troops. On arriving, | started
across tour more pieces OF artillery. A storm
of wind, which had been prevailing all day,
seemed to forbid the possibility of crossing
further re nt0rcements IRON this side. Pro-
visions were getting short the artillery on
tie Virginia side were getting short OF aps
muntlon the wind Was setting strongly
from the Virginia shore; the means of
transportation were heavy scows and clumsy
canal boats, managed by poles--when at
eight o'clock f. NJ. received notice from
Major Gen. Banks that General Mcclellan
bad ordered the withdrawal of the whole
force from the Virginia to the Maryland
sde--aDd orders TO proceed with all energy,
bot quietly, to make necessary arrange.
ments on the Maryland side--and direct me
10 call to this work the boatmen and Ium>
bermen OF the First Regiment of Minneso-
Ia Volunteers: as it Was now evidnt that
everything depended on the energy, courage
ana muscle OF the boatmen to contend
against the adverse wind storm. This de-
tail was made, to which was added 100 men
from Colonel Kenty's Maryland Regiment,
100 more from the Thirty>iourth. New
! ork Volunteers, and $50 from the Sew
enth N cbigan Regiment. The plan being
matured, the seemingly impossible enter
prise was entered upon with q spirit and
energy that knew "no such word as fall"
and between o'clock T. NJ. OF the 23d
and 8 O'Clock A. NJ. of the Oath, every
man, horse, aud piece of artillery was safe.
ly withdrawn from the Virginia shore and
landed on this side again without an acct
dent or the loss Of man Or hors., save the
causilty OF the fight. The fortitude, en-.
durance and energy displayed by the men
detailed to perform this work, deserves the
highest commendation. The Minnesota
lumbermeD performed their part with such
skill as to merit special notice. -
The courage and GOODNESS OF the officers
and men Of my brigade, 10 most part, as
exhibited Ill their crossing the river, engag.
ing the enemy, and their orderly Withdraw
al across again, give reliable assurance of
their efficiency. Il may not be improper
here to say that the result of this move
ment, as reconnaissance, must prove
highly beneficial to any future movement
in that direction. Each order Was strictly
followed, and the desired result accomplish
ed. Trusting that have performed sat-
lstaciOrlIy the somewhat difficult aud re-
sponsiOle duty to which General Stone and
General Banks assigned NE,
am, very respectfully. your obedeut ser.
want, w. A. GORMAN,
Brigadier General.