Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-25
TnE EDwARDs FERRY nArrLn.

On Monday last, battle Of some Importance
took place at Edwards Ferry, near Leesburg, in
Virginia, in which the gallant Col. Baker Of the
California regiment lost his life, while leading
his men to a charge.
The forcCs engaged consisted Of part of the
command of Gen. Stone, numbering eighteen
hundred men, and large body of Confederates
under the command of Gen. Evans.
The facts, as far as they can be CLEANED from |
the mass of rubbish which always accompanies
such matters to a greater or loss extent are here
given from our exchanges -
Gen. Stone crossed the Potomac with one
portion Of his command at Edwards Ferry and
another at Harrisons Island The object of
this movement was to secure the command Of
the Virginia shore, that his own and General
Binks's divisions might be safely transferred to
the Virginia side of the river.
Gen. Stone, after crossing his advance, sent
out Col. Baker, with portions of three regiments
his own, the Massachusetts, fifteenth, and the
New York Tammany Regiment, numbering in all
about eighteen hundred men, forming the right
wing of Gen stones cOmmand-to rec nuoitre
10 force in the direction of Leesburg.
Both his wiugs-his right and left-werc
attacked as early as 0 o'clock, n. M. but they
repulsed the enemy wherever he appeared.
hut at about p. m. the right wing found
itself confronted by near four thousand of the
enemy under Gen. Evans, with artillery. Evans
attacked Bakers command in front and on both
tanks. Baker gallanty essayed a charge, in
making which he was killed, aud his command
suffered considerable loss. The officer left in
c mmnnd of it by his death then very properly
gave the order to fall back to position near the
river bank, where he could be supported by
Gen. Stone and the other portion of his army,
which hal by that time effected a crossing of the
river. This command was obeyed in good order,
our troops bringing of with them all their
wounded and dead.
0n reaching the position selected the right
wing turned, and both wings held their own
upon it, though under the fire of the enemy,
which gradually slackened until midnight, by
which time it ceased having for some hours
previously become little more than picket firing
Throughout the night the remainder of Gen
stones force crossed the river and threw up
temporary works that rendered his position
secure, and enabled him to command the cross
lug of the river In the mean time Gen. Banks's
division arrived at the Maryland landing of Ed
wards Ferry, aud commenced crossing
Both divisions are now in position on the Vir-
ginia side of the rlyer-that being the object Of
their moyemeut-and Gen. Banks has assumed
tue command.
The total loss of Gen. Stone, in the battle,
including killed, wounded, and missing, is about
two hundred. Col. Baker, of the California
Regiment, as stated, was killed. Col CogsWen,
the commander of the New York Tammauy Re-
giment, Capt. COgswell of sth Infantry United
States Army,) is among the missing. lie is be-
icved to be wounded aud prisoner. Lieut..
q Col Ward, Of the Massachusetts Fifteenth. was
4 wouuded-losiug leg.
q Col. Baker was wounded by two balls in the
head, one through the heart, one in the body,
r. and another in the arm. After he fell the rebels
4 endeavored to secure the body, hut his friends,
4 after vigorous contest succeeded in bringing
n it away
The President was greatly afflicted by the
g death Of Col, Baker. lie seemed, indeed, to
n feel the loss as if of brother, md paced the
floor of his room through the night in the
, greatest grief. It was the desire of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Lincoln that the body of Colonel
Baker should he taken to tho White House and
placed in the East Room, hut that course WAS
not practicable