The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-10-31
The Fight at Leesburg, va...Interestine
Particulars.--CoI. Baker.
PooLsyILLE, Tuesday. Oct. %

Inc fOllOWlng report OF the battle OF
Balls Bluff. midway between Conrad's
and Edwards Ferry. and opposite Har-
rison's Island, which occurred yester-
day, has been cleaned from authentic
sources:
On Sunday night, Col. Devens of
the 18th Massachusetts,, who had for
some time guarded Harrison's Island
with one company, ordered Capt Phil
brick of Company III, and Quartermas-
ter Howe of his Staff, with detach-
ment Of twenty men to scout the Vir-
ginia shore in the direction of Lees
burg. They crossed from the island to
the shore and executed the order by
approaching within three-fourths of
mile of Leesburg, returning to their
starting point about 0 o'clock at night
discovering, as they supposed, a small
camp one mile or more from Leesburg.
On reporting to Col. Devans, the lat
ter with about 800 men pushed forward
by direction of Gen. Stone, i'm the
same locality, with orders to destroy
the camp at daybreak, and return; and
Col. Devons remaining with his com
mand concealed, sent back word that
no enemy was in sight; Capt. Phil
bricks company taking an advanced
position, while the remaining compa-
nies were concealed as reserve as in
case of an attack on the advance.
When about mile and half from the
river, and 500 yards in advance of Col,
Devens' reserve, Capt. Philbrick, ac-
companied by Col. Devens in person,
attacked and drove back a company of
Mississippi riflemen, and then fell back
to the reserve, concealed in the rear,
on the appearance Of rebel cavalry. In
the skirmish, Capt. Philbrick had diff
ficulty in getting near enough TO the
enemy for his smooth bore guns to
have much effect, whereas the other
used long range rifles on our forces.
At daybreak, and at the same hour
that Col. Deven's command left the
shore to make the advance, Col. Lee,
of the goth Massachusetts, sent over
one company of his regiment, which
remained on the shore to cover the re-
turn of Col. Devens.
Col. Dsven's maintained his ground,
and was reinforced during the morning
by 800 more of his regiment, under
Lieut. Col. Ward. About O'clock he
was attacked by a considerable number
of rifemen, who attempted TO outhank
him. Fearing they might be success
full, and after resisting them for some
time, Col. Devens slowly retreating, in
perfect order, to the river, where Col.
Baker had arrived with battalion OF
the California Regiment, command I ccaa q
by Lieut.. Col. Wistar.
He then took command, first compli-
menting Col. Devens for his successful
resistance to superior force, 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 hundred of the
Massachusetts 2Oth, under Col. Lee,
and the California battalion, about five
hundred in number, under Lieut.. Col.
Wistar. Two mountain howitzers,
commanded by Lieut.. French, and one
piece of the New York battery, COM
manded by Lieut.. Bramhall, were in
front of the center just previous to the
commencement of the action. -.t,T
This attack was commenced by the
enemy on our right, but was soon di
rected more heavily to the center and
left. ]4t yrat5F 20 sIasa, Z sGi
For about two hours the battle ragged
terrifcally, complete shower ofleaden
hail pouring upon us. Three several
times the left of the line made an ad
vance, but were compelled to return al
often. The right was better protected.
and held their position. -+....,.....
An order came from Col. Baker to
throw two companies of the 18th Mas
sachusetts to the center, which was i'm
mediately executed. This produced
the impression that the battle was go.
ing against US, but,caused no confusion
or dismay. The left was hard pressed
but remained firm. About this time
tho news spread that Col. Baker was
killed. While in the act of pushing .
cannon forward, with his shoulder to
the wheel, he was pierced by six balls
He was evidently the object of the
enemy's sharp-shooters. After this
there was a cessation of fire for a few
moments, during which, Col. Coggs.
we'll, of the Tammany Regiment, ar
rived with two companies, and he be
ing the senior officer, the command de
volved on him. In short time it be
evident to Col. Coggswell that the day
was lost, and he thought it best to cu
his way through to Edwards Ferry
where Gen. German was in charge
throwing over reinforcements by direc
ton of Gen. Stone. who was in sight
of the battlefield at Edwards Ferry.
directing the general movements.
i An order was now issued to transfer
the 18th Massachusetts, from the righ,
to the left, which was executed as calm
ly as at battalion drill.
Col. Coggswell soon became satisfied
of the impossibility of reaching Ed
wards Ferry as desired, and gave an
order toward the river, which was ex'
ecuted as well az the circumstances
would permit. They reached the rivel
bank about twenty minutes before
nightfall.
, Here the 18th deployed as skirmish