New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-24
The Position of the President in the
Matter.
THE BATTLE NEAR LEESBURG.
pJsHEARTENING DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR.
NUMBERS OF OUR MEN DROWNED
UPWARD OF 1000 MISSING
s,..,., n,,.,,.h "a TIL. n Y. Tribune

TIE REMOVAL OF GEN. fhh'"o
The President had made up MS niinu ~
oovs Cen. Fremont some time before tne III
xo,t;0ation into his administration was made
M ,ct Of removal may be said to be pecu-
E.rIv his. His purpose was not formed by
sbe upanimity with which his Cabinet pro-
p6vpced Gen. Fremont to be unequal to his
command. 1t was only supported by it. The
removal was determined on by the President
over two weeks ago. 1t is probable that the
order TO Gen. Fremont to surrender his COM
mand to Gen. Hunter was delayed until to-day;
but the original order sent out on the 18th was
copied this forenoon, and will 60 out to st.
Louis tomorrow.
THE BATTLE NEAR LEEsBURG.
A Gentleman attached TO Col Bakers Brigade,
who witnessed part Of the engagement, furnishes
the following particulars: Two battaliOns, l,OOO
men of the California, the Tammany and Massa-
chusetts 18th Regiments crossed ON Monday
morning at COnrad's Ferry and landed. Pickets
were thrown out and large force of rebels dis
covered. About O'Clock, Bakers, Owens, and
Morehead's regiments, of Bakers Brigade, arrived
scows used in the morning having been sunk, one
while taking cannon across and the other IN re-
turning after the first repulse, with about hund-
red men, who jumped on board in the widest con-
fusion, many ofwhOm were drowned
Col Baker was killed when making the frSt
charge after successfully rallying his men.
No cannon was used by the enemy In the
engagement, aod the Union forces got but one
across. There were seven in position on this
aide. two at COnrads Ferry and five at I'd
wards's Ferry, about six miles apart. AT the
inter. two scows and canal-bOat were used
% convey troops across all day
A considerable number had assembled on the
virginia side of this ferry when the battle
commenced, but ii was not considered safe 10
reinforce Col. Baker from that point. Ii took
each scow, with so men, over an hour to make
a trip; 80 that much valuable time was lost,
owing to the limited means of transit.
Col. Devins of the Massachusetts, regiment
escaped to this side by swimming the river
and many of the troops followed bis example.
Several we're drowned in the attempt, the
river being fifteen feet deep
The enemy was seen in and around fOrt-
6cation opposite Edwards's Ferry in the morn
Ing, and the guns on this side were opened
upon them under the personal direction OF Gen.
Stone. At the first fire the Rebels struck their
tents and fled.
The loss on our side is unguestiOnably very
large-larger than that of the enemy.
Col. Bakers remains, escorted by a squad
of Van Aliens Cavalry, under command OF
Capt. Young, and accompanied by deceaseds
son. Lieut.. Baker and his brother, DIR. Baker,
both of whom were in the engagement, arrived
at tho residence Of Col. j. w, Webb this
evening
The funeral will take place tomorrow. The
arrangements have been assigned to Brigadier
Casey. The body will be inferred beside that
of Gen. Gibson, in the Congressional BuryiDg-
ground.
A presentment of Col Bakers death came
20 him on Friday. At night he made his will;
10 the morning he told Mr.. Webb that he
should be killed within as hours, and asked
him to take care of his body. His wife is on
her way to California.
Lieut.. Col. Wistar of Col. Bakers regiment,
was brought from the field with leg, al
arm, and his lower jaw shattered. Assistant
Adjutant-Gene Harvey of the brigade, and
Capt. Markoe, were captured. The brigade
returned to its former encampment, five miles
from COnrads Ferry, the same evening. Scores
of men, nearly naked, arrived at the camp
yesterday, having thrown away their clothes to
swim the river. Upward of 1000 were missing
yesterday.
THE ARMY RETIRING BOARD.
The Army Retiring Board has been adjourn
ing from day to day since the 18th, waiting
for President. Col. Cooke of the I'd Cavalry,
just arrived from Utah, was appointed to Gen.
Nsnsheld's place to-day, and either he or Pay
master-Gen. Larned viii preside, according 10
seniority of rank as to which there is a tech
meal question.
THE FRENCH PRINCES.
The French Princes on Gen. McClellan's
staff were not required to take the oath of al
legiance-onIy an oath to be faithful during
service. Col. Rankin, now engaged in raising
A regiment Of LancerS, is understood to have
taken similar oath.