The Evansville daily journal., 1861-10-30
Batsle ofRaII,a Bum.

men lost his life. We copy tho following
account from the New York Tribune as be-
ing more connected than any other that we
have seen. So FAR, however, from Colonel
Bakers having violated orders be died In
obedience to orders, copy of which was
found 10 his hat, saturated with his blood
and brains. The whole expedition seems to
have been another Of those splendid feats of
Generalship, for which the army the Po-
tomac have becoem so famous. We were In
| hopes that when Mcclellan took command,
there were to be no more such disasters, but
our hopes were illusive. 1t is but just to say,
however, that with the exception of the
Rhode Island battery " no ingloriously fed,
the soldiers behaved with great coolness and
bravery. They contested every inch OF
ground until their ammunition was exhaust
ed " hen numbers deliberately threw their
/ guns into the river and attempted to swim
to the opposite shore:
/ On Saturday afternoon a Captain and Is
/ men of Colonel Devens 18th Massachusetts
/ Regiment were ordered by Gen. Stone to
cross the river at Harrisons Island, follow
4 a bridle-path which had been discovered, to
/ the vicinity of LeesbuTg, and report what
was seen. The captain thought he saw 80
rebel tents, and brought back word to that
I effect. Acting upon the report, Gen. Stone
/ sent five companies of Col. Devens' Regi-
meut supported by Eve companies Of Col.
/ Lees Massachusetts 10th, to capture the
supposed rebel camp. Oa arriving ct the
/ spor, they found no tents and saw no enemy.
] 9alI baf
lion, and sent word back.
/ Gen. Stone, having information that the
rebel Gen. Evans had ), 900 men near Lees
burg, and that be had sent his baggage over
Goose Creek to the south, that be might not
/ be mpeded in retiring to Manassas if at
| tackled by a superior force, and perceiving
that the coast was clear, concluded to at
tempt the capture Of Evans whole force
Col. Baker took command. General Stone
gave him 1900 men, being Col, Bakers
own brigade and the Tammany Regiment,
with cavalry aud as much artillery as the
enemy bad, and the residue of the 18th and
20th Massachusetts,, being the best regi-
meats be bad. Now begins the conflict of
statements. According to Col. Colburp,
Col. Bakers orders were 10 cross at HarrI-
sou's Island not 30 go beyond the island,
unless bis means of transportation were an1o
Pile; not to move from the Virginia bank {
the river until the whole force was over ;
l when be advanced, to be careful In sending
out scouts and skirmishers; in protectiug (
his tanks and guarding his rear; aud on no
accountto make a demonstration unless so
posted as to feel sure Of success.
! Col Baker, however, according to Col.
Colburn's statement, moved forward before
more than 700 or 500 had crossed With that
number, leaving DO guard at tue river, and
keeping up no communication with It, go
| that their companies, which subsequently,
| crossed, were unable 10 join him. After be
had been joiued by the nine hassachuseIts
| companies, under command OF Col. Devens,
he, With about 1900 nen, was attacked by
Gen. Evans's whole force, with the excep-
ton Of his battery, which remained or q
! bill opposite Edwards's Ferry, being threat
ened by Gen. Stone, who made feint Of
crossing in order to keep it thers.
During the fight, our men, although out
numbered three to Que, fought with the
utmost bravery throughout, as bravely after
the fall of officers as before, and TO the last
of their ammunition. Gradually retrealing
to the river, they were there ordered by
theIr officers 10 throw their guns into the
water, to save them from the enemy, and
/ all that could to swim for the Island The
| boats were not to be found. They had been
! swamped in carrying over the wounded,
! how many Of whom were drowned is net
! known, SIS swimmers were shot IN the water.
/ Gen. Mcclellan is delighted with the be-
! haVior of the troops throughout, and is ia
excellent heart at knowing that such men
are in bis command He found neither
| those that were in nor those that were out
| of the engagement demoralized in the
| slightest, but eager to fight.
On hearing of the disaster, be telegraphed
| Ger. Banks to take command, and to cross
portion of bis force Immediately. Accord
/ ingly, on Monday night, 4 400 men were
i taken across at EdWards's Ferry. Gen Nc
Clellan found them on the Virginia bank of
| the river on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday,. report came from the
other side that the enemy was about to at
tack our position. Preparations were made
! to re-enforce, Il was, however, blowing g
! gale, and the river was very high, seven
! feet on an average. The hrst to cross was
! fojled, although the boat was taken a mile
| up stream. Luckily the threatened attack
turned out to be false alarm.
! The loss in killed, wounded, aud missing
was estimated this morning when Gen.
| Mcclellan left, at 625 men, of v hom 70 ars
/ thought to have been xii ed, and l2o
wounded. Gen. Stone telegraph this even
| ing, however, that many Cf the missing are
coming in. The Sergeant Msjor aud
| Cap ain Of the Massachusetts 18th, at frst
! reported lost, have returned.
While our I, 400 men were on the Virgin.
ia bank OF Edwards Ferry, Gen. Lander,
who was here when the engagement was
reported, but rode up the river immediately,
made a reconnaissance toward Leesburg with
| 400 or 500 men. he encountered body of
rebels estimated at Z, 1000, and put them 10
fight, taking possession of the field, on
which eight bodies were found. Ths only
casualty on our side was Gen. Lander, who
received a severe fesh wound in the calf of
his leg.
TIE DAVIS FAMtLY viii give one more