Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-11-01
A LETTER FROM cARlBALDI.
!Herald's Dispatch.1

Information has been received today from
the Lower Potomac, that the rebel steamer
Paige crossed the river with a large force on
Monday, from Shipping Point, and entered
ChicamoXen river The rebels did not discm-
bark, but a boat containing 20 men left the
steamer and went to schooner lying at
anchor in the river near by. The Captain of
the schooner was questioned about the
strength and position of our forces With
out molesting the vessel, the boat proceeded
to the south shore of the river, lanued, and
would have been bagged by Capt. Tayor's
Sd N. Y. regiment but for the accidental
blast of bugle. The rebels became alarmed,
took to the boat, and as soon as they reached
their steamer, moved out into the Potomac,
throwing shell in every direction on the Ma.
ryland shore, but without doing any mis-
chief. The steamer went over to Virginia,
and did not return again during the day.
Yesterday one of our steamers opened fire
upon rebel battery below Acquia Creek,
and the rebels returned the fire with consid-
cradle energy. A large number of rebels APP
peared on the ramparts. The steamer, after
engaging the battery for some half hour,
steamed up the river.
This engagement was witnessed from the
Maryland shore, and reached us by mes
sengcr from Gen. Rockers Division. The
steamer has not arrived at the Navy Yard
yet 1t is not known whether she is dam
aged or not
There seems to be no inclination of the
rebels to cross the river, and their move
ments are interpreted as altogether defensive,
fearing Gen. Hooker would cross and attack
them.
Deserters from the rebel camp confirm the
statement to this effect.
A dispatch received here to-day from Gen.
Rosencrans, states that he had advanced five
miles in the direction Of the rebels, and was
preparing to make another forward move,
with a view Of driving the rebels from that
entire section of country. He had received
intelligence that for several days they had
been retreating, and he intended following as
soon as the necessary arrangements could be
made
[Tribunes DIpatch.1
Gen. Stones report of the battle of Balls
Bluff was sent into the War Department to-
day. In it occurrs the following:
Colonel Baker having arrived at Con-
RAIDS Ferry with the lst California regi-
ment at al carly hour, proceeded to Edwards
Ferry and reported to me in person stating
that his regiment at the former place, and
three other regiments Of his brigade, were
ready to march. directed him to Harrison's
Island to take command, and in full con-
versation, explained to him the position as it
then stood. 1 told him that Gen. Mccall had
advanced his troops to Lewinsville, and | was
extremely desirous of ascertaning the exact
position and force of the enemy in our front,
and exploring as far as it was safe on the
right towards Leesburg and Gum Spring
road. also informed Col. Baker that Gen
German, opposite Edwards Ferry, should be
reinforced, and that would make an effort
to push Gormon's troops carefully forward to
discover the west line from that ferry to the
Leesburg and Gum Spring road, already men,
toned and the position Of the breastworks,
and hidden batteries, which prevented the
of troops directly from left to right, |
were also pointed out to him.
The means of transportation across, of the
sufficiency of which Baker was to be judge,
was detailed, and authority given him to
make use of the guns of {. section each of
Vaughan's and Bunting's batteries, together
with French's mountain howitzers, all the |
troops of his brigade and the Tammany reg
iment, besides the 10Th and a part of the Goth |
regiments, and | left to his
discretion, after viewing the ground, to re-
tire from the Virginia shore under cover of !
his guns and the fire of the large infantry
force, or to push our reinforcements, in case
he found it practicable, ard the position on
the other side favorable. stated that I
wished no advance made unless the enemy
were of inferior force, and under no circum-
stances to pass Leesburg, strong position
it and Goose Creek, on the Gum
Spring road Col. Baker was cautioned in
reference to passing artillery across the river,
and if he did, to be supported by good in
fantry. The General pointed to the position
Of some bluffs on this side of the river, from
which artillery could act with effect on the
other, and leaving tie matter of crossing
nore troops, OF retiring what were already
over, at his discretion, gave him entire con-
trol of operations of the night. After Gen.
0eyin's second advance, COL Baker went to
he field in person, and it is matter of re-
,ret to me that he left no record of what off,
:ers and men he charged with the care Of
be boats and insuring the regular passage
~ $50