The weekly sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1851-1869, 1861-11-02
rhe Fight at Leesburg, Va.

Posarillt, Oct 22d.-The following report
4 tby cattle at Blus' BluG, midway between
-"tisds aud Edwards Ferry, and opposite IIsr-
fiscn Island, which occurred yesterday, has
been CLEANED from authentic sources
On Sunday night Colonel Dsvsns Of the 18th
Massachusetts, who had for some time guarded
uari,,n's Island with ons company, ordered
Capt. HhiOrick OF company "A, and quarter
IA n1stor nOye oi his staff with a detachment Of
wcn'y med 10 scout the Virginia shore in the
direction # Lee, burg.
Tney crossed fiom the leland 70 tho shore,
and executed the order by approaching within
three fourth, Of mile Of LeesDurg, returning to
thuif starring point about ten o'clock az night,
.itee"ver'ns as tney, supposed a small camp, one
.rile Or more from Leesburg.
On repo tiug % Col Dsve1s, the latter, with
1'"ui $40 men, pusnel forwi'd by di rec'i,n Of
Gen. y one, IN the sAms loc Ji " with orders 10
r-uoy the camp at daybrelk and return and
Col. DeyeDs rem ain with his command conceal
g.. sent back word tna the enemy was
u silht; CAPT Phibri,k', company taknr
N advanced position, while tho romlinins
companies were cOnccalci as reserve
n cve Of an attack on toe advance when about
. mile and half from the river and 800 yanls
IN advance Of Col. Dovens reserve, Col. Phil
brick, accompanied by Col. Dsvens In person,
attacked aud drove back a company of Missis-
couceaed In the roar, on the appearance Of a
body Of rebel cavalry. In the skirmish Capt.
Philbrick had difficulty in getting his men near
enough TO tue enemy for his smooth bors guns
10 have much effect, whereas the Other used long
range rifles on our forces.
at day break ard at the same hour that Col.
Dsvers command left the shore 70 make the
advance, Col. Lee, Of the 10th Massachusetts,,
sent over one company Of his regiment, which
emalred on tte shore 10 cover the return of
Col Devens.
Col. Dev5n' maintained his ground and was
reinforced during the morning by three hun.
dred more of his regiment, under Lieut.. Col
Ward. About 1 o'clock, ha was a atscksd by
considerable body Of riilemsn, who attempted 10
OuthAnk hin.
Fearing they might be successful, and after
resisting them for some tims Col. DOvens slow
ly rs'relted in perfect order TO tho river, where
Col Baker had arrived with battalion of the
CalifUrnia regiment, comm Nndet by Lieut.. Col.
Wistsr Col. Blker then took command, first
complimenting Col Devet for hi, successful re-
sisianco to q superior force, and giving his com
u6nd, nov less than 600 men, the right Of tho
line ut Daitls, the GENRE and left wing being
formed Of about 8 N,of the MSlsach sets 20th
urd.r Col Lee, and the California battalion,
about i've hundred in number, under Lieut..
| Col Sisblr. Two mountain howitzers COM
| manded by Lieut. French, and one piece OF the
| New York battery, COMMANDED by Lieut.. Bclm-
hall, were in front ot the centre Just previous
TO the commencement OF tho action.
The attack was commenced 10y the ems my on
our rie ht, hut was soon directed more heavily
| to the centre and left.
| For about two hours the battle ragged terrid-
| cally, q complete shower Of leaden hail pouring
upon us. Three several times the left OF the
lne made an advance, but were compelled 10
return as often. Tho right was better protected
and held their position.
DEATH OF COL. BAKER.
An order came from Colonsl Baker to throw
two companies Of the 9th Massachusetts, 10 the
centre, which was Immediately executed. Thli
produced the impression that the battle wa.
| going against us, but caused no confusion or
dismsy. The left was hard pressed, but remain
cd firm. About this time the news spread that
| Col, Baker was killed while In tho act ol
pushing a cannon forward with his shoulder "a
the wheel, he was pierced by six balls. He
was evidently the object Of the enemies SHARP
shooters.
ARRIVAL or COL. coGswELL.
Alter this there was cessation Of fire for q
few minutes, during which Col. COgswell, Of
! the Tammany regiment arrived with two com
palies, and he beng the sosi officer, the com
mand devolved on him. In a short time II be-
came evident 10 Col. Cogswsll that the day was
| lost, and be thought 1t best 10 cut his way
thrtugh e. Edwards Ferry, where Con. Cor
man was in charge throwing over ronfOrcs'
mcnts bs a direction Of Gen Stone, who was
within si,At of the battle. field at Edward
Ferry, directing the gener Al movements.
40 order was now issued 10 transfer tho 18th
Massachusetts, from the right 10 the left, which
was executed as calmly as a battalion drill.
THE RErREAT.
Col. Cogswtll soon became slt'9God Of the
impOssiblity Of reaching Edwards Il 'ry as de-
sired, and gave an order 20 fall back towards
the nver, which was executed as we'll as The
circums ances would psrmit. They reached the
river b,nk about 20 minutes before nighiall.
Herr the 10th deplOyed as skiunishers along
the shore. Tho only means OF conyeyAncs tC
the Island was a large beat, capable Of carrying
about 40 persons w1ich was Overcrowded AND
swamped, The troops remaining on the shor'
made a despaIa ate resistance, ana II Is believed
that the enemy took comparatively few prison
srs in consequence
Those who could swim plunged into tho wa
ter, those carry ing their arms who eould, anC
others throwing them isto the river to preven
their falling into the enemies hands. Sumo es
capped by ayailing themselves Of the dRTkd
and the heavily wooded banks, but several ar
krown 10 have been drowned In tho wAtars 0
the Potomac. The behavior OF our troops beioi
a superior number Of the nemy, was marked a
molly brave, and enduring.
GALLANT CHARGE.
Near the close Of tho action, and after the da
was irretrievably lost, the two recently arrive
companies Of the Tammany regiment made
desperate charge, but were met with terrih
are by the enemy. II is probable that rob
. ers, who appeared In front and gave tho ord
. 10 charge.
Tha 6sYs Lieut.: gsmhsll, q the N.y II