The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
Interesting Washington News.

THE BATTLE OF BALLS BLUFF-REPORT
OF GEN. STONE-COL. BAKER RESPON,
SIBLE FOR THE DISASTER.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.-The Tribune
says Gen. Stones report of the battle Of
Balls Bluff was sent into the War Depart.
ment to-day. In it occurs the following:
Col. Baker having arrived at Conrad's
Ferry with the LIST California regiment at
an early hour, proceeded to Edwards Ferry
and reported to me in person, stating that
bis regiment was at the former place and
the three other regiments of his brigade
were ready to march. l directed him to
proceed to Harrison Island and to assume
command, and in a full conversation ex-
planned to him the position as it then stood.
I told him that Gen. Mccall had advanced
his troops to Drainsvile, and l was extreme.
ly DESTROYS of ascertaining the exact posi-
ton and force of the enemy in our front,
and exploring as far as it was safe on right
towards Leesburg, and left towards the
Leesburg and Gum Spring road.
l also informed Col. Baker that Gen.
German, opposite Edwards Ferry, should
be reinforced, and that / would make an
effort to push Germans troops carefully
forward to discover the best line from that
ferry to Leesburg and Gum Spring road,
already mentioned; and the position of the
breastworks and batteries, which prevented
the movement of troops directly from left
to right, were also pointed out to him.
The means of transportation across, of
the suficiency OF which he, Baker, was to
be the Judge, was detailed, and authority
given him to make use of the guns of
section each of Vaughan's and Bunting's
batteries. together with Frenchs mountain
howitzer, all the troops of his brigade and the
Tammany regiment, besides the 10Th and
part of the Goth Regiments of Massachu>
sets volunteers.
left it to his discretion, after viewing
the ground, to retire from the Virginia
shore under cover of his guns and fire of his
large infantry force, or to pass our rein-
forcements in case he found it practicable
and the position on the other side favora-
BILE.
stated that l wished no advance made
unless the enemy were of inferior force,
and under no circumstances to pass beyond
Leesburg, or strong position between it
and Goose Greek, on the Gum Spring
Road.
Colonel Baker was cautioned in refer
ence to passing artillery across the river,
and / begged if he did to be we'll supported
by good infantry.
The General pointed out to him the DO.
sition of some of the bluffs on this side of
the river from which artillery could act
with effect on the other side, and leaving the
at crossing more troops, or retiring
what were already over, to bis discretion,
and gave him the entire control of the OPERA
tiOns of the night.
After Col Devens' second advance, Col.
Baker went to the field in person, and it is
matter of regret to me that he left no re.
cord of what officers and men he charged
with the care of the boats and insuring the
regular passage of troops. If any were
charged with this duty it was not performed,
for the reinforcements as they arrived found
no one in command OF the boats, and great
delay was thus occasioned. Had one officer
and company remained at each landing
guarding the boats, their full capacity
would have been made serviceable and suf
icient men would have been passed on to
secure success. The forwarding of artillery
before its supporting force of infantry also
impeded the rapid assembling of an impo-
sing force on the Virginia shore. If the
infantry force had first crossed difference
of one thousand men would have been made
in the infantry line at the time OF the at
tack, probably enough to have given US
the victory.
[Slgnedl CHAS. P. STONE,
Brigader General Commanding.