Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-10-31


to the left, which was executed as calmly as
a battalion drill
Col. Cogswell soon became satisfied of the
impossiblity of reaching Edwards Ferry as
desired, and gave an order to fall back to-
wards the river, which was executed as we'll
asfthe circumstances would permit.
+ They reached the river bank about twenty
minutes before night-fall. Here the 18th
Massachusetts, regiment deployed as skir-
mishers along the shore. The only means
ofSconvcyance to the Island was large boat
capable Of carrying about forty persons,
which was overcrowded and swamped, and
one of smaller dimensions. The troops re-
naming on the shore made a desperate re-
sistance, and it is believed the enemy took
mparatvcly few prisoners in consequence.
Those who could swim plunged into the
water-those carrying their arms who could,
and others throwing them into the river to
prevent their falling into the enemy's hands.
Some escaped by availing themselves of the
darkness of the heavily wooded banks, but
several are known to have been drowned in
the waters from the Potomac
The behavior of our troops before supe-
rior number of the enemy was marked as
nobly brave and enduring Near the close
of the action, and after the day was ire
trievably lost, the two recently arrived COM
panies of the Tammany regiment made a
desperate charge but were met by terrific
fire by the enemy.
1t is probable that Secession officer was
mistaken for one of our commanders who
appeared in front and gave the order to
charge.
The brave Lieutenant Bramhall, of the
New York Ninth Battery, lost one Of his
guns and himself was wounded severely but
not fatally.
The gallant Lieutenant French, of the
Howitzer battery, fired with his own hands
four shots after the day was lost and his men
scattered. He was shot in the. left breast
and ancle but not mortally wounded.
On reaching the island, which he did by
throwing his sword and revolver into the
river and swimming across, Col. Devens at
once posted thirty Of his men to prevent any
of the enemy from an attempt at pursuit.
This force was subsequently augmented by
the arrival of three other companies from
the Maryland shore, under Col. HinksO
thaaN Nineteenth MASSACHUSETTS,.
Cor: DUvpns receTveu s1TgHt cUHrus1uH
in the breast from musket ball.
The following is list of the killed and
wounded:
LLED--MAssAcuUsETTs 10TH REGIMENT.
Captain lockwood, Company A.
Captain Simons, Company B.
Captain Bruman Supposed killed) Com
pany c.
Captain Studlcy, Company D.
Second Lieutenant Grout.
Second Lieutenant Vassae, Company E.
Captain Gatchell, Cook.
WoUNDED-sAME REGIMENT.
Lieutenant Colonel Ward, leg amputated.
Captain Sloan, Company f, slightly.
Captain Frehand, Company G..
First Lieutenant Holden, Company G..
Capt. Philbrck. Company II, slightly.
Col. Lee, of the Massachusetts, Twentieth,
and COL Cogswell, of the Tammany Rcgi-
ment, are probably prisoners.
Lieut.. Col. Wistar, of the California Re-
giment, is supposed to be mortally wounded.
AS an instance of the weight and concen-
tration of the encmy's fire the clothing and
equipments of Quartermaster Hone, of the
Fifteenth Massachusetts, bore the marks of
four distinct rifle shots, one ball passing
through the crown Of his cap and another
fattening in the plate Of his belt, yet he
escaped uninjured.
Most of the wounded have been conveyed
to their respective encampment hospitals
The enemy's forces were very large, and
their positions well selected, from familiar
knowledge of the country.
There is at present no means of ascertain
ing their loss, but it must have been i'm
mense, as our few pieces of artillery were
served with accuracy and terrific effect.
1t is proper to state, in connection with
the foregoing, that Gen. Stones orders to
Gen. Baker were to advance brigade, in
cluding a battery, to the support of Colonel
Devens, and to attack the enemy in force
only in case of knowledge of their inferior
numbers and Of his ability to defeat them,
but under no circumstances to bring on a
general enga cement between the main forces
Of both sides.
Another Account.
The following account Of the battle near
Leesburg, in which Col Baker was killed,
is from one of the regular reporters Of the
Philadelphia Press at Washington:
Washington, Oct 22.-The contest yes
terday, in which the gallant Baker fell, was
not premeditated by either army, certainly
not by ours. 1t was brought about in this
ay:-The scouts of the enemy were dis
covered by the Thirteenth Massachusetts
troops. who were at their breastworks on
Hamilton Island. Five companies of these
troops on the island were ordered to advance
and repulsc the enemy, duty which they
performed and returned to quarters. The
enemy soon re-appeared in concealed num-
bers, and made an attack upon our men,
Reinforcements from the Massachusetts Fif-
teenth, with some cavalry, under command
of Van Allen, were sent to their aid, Gen.
Stone in the meantime passing his men over
with all possible despatch at Hamilton Is