The sun., 1861-10-24
POSTSCRIPT.
The Fight at Leesburg, Va.

of the battle at Bslls' Bluf, midway between
Ccursds and Edwards Pory, and opposite Hr-
rison Islssd, which occurred yest.rdsy, has
been CLEANED from authentic sources
On Sunday night Colonel Dsvens of the 18th
Massachutests, who bad for tome time guarded
Hsrrison's Island with enc company. ordered
Capt. Philbflck Of company II, and quarter
master Howe Of his stsf, with detAohmsnt q
twenty mon to scout tho Virginia shore in the
direction of Leesburg.
They crossed from tho Island 10 the shore,
sn< executed the order by approaching within
three fourths q . mile Of Loesbnrg. returnisg TO
| their starting point about ten o'clock az nixht
discovering as they supposed q small camp, ons
mile or more from Lsesburg.
On reporting TO Col. Devens, tho latter with
about 800 men, pushed forward by direction of
| Gen. Stone, IN the same locality, with orders to
| destroy the camp at daybreak and return, and
| Col Devens remain with his command conceal
| ed, sent back word that the enemy was
| in sight, Capt. Philbficks company taking
an advanced position, while the remaining
companies conce ted reserve
in oafe Of an attack on the advance, when about
| a mile and a balf from the river and 800 yards
in advance Of Col. Devens' reserve, Col. Phil
| brick, accompanied by Col. Devons in person,
| atb cked and drove back company Of Missis-
sippi riflemen ard then fell back to the reserve,
col cealed in the rear, on tho appearance Of a
/ body of rebel cavalry. In the skirmish Csp,.
Il
enough TO the enemy for his smooth. bore guns
20 have much effect whereas tho ott er used long
| range rifles on our fencss.
| Al daybpak and at the same hour that Col.
| Cevens' command left the shore 10 make the
| advance, Col. Lee, Of the 20th Massachusetts,,
| sent over ono company OF his regiment which
remained on tie shore 10 cover the return or
| Devens.
Col. Devens msintainod his ground anl ,,,s
| reinforced during the morning by n.,tee hun.
ARoA nl ia ant ts.I
Ward. About o'clock. ;, a was a,tarled bv .
considerable body of T.iiom, n. who attempted 70
| ouinibk him.
ftarir Z they might be succ .esful, and after
] fesisting them for me tins, Co Devens slow-
4 ly retteatod in perfect orc,r 10 the river, where
Gen. Baker had arrived Wit a bAtallon Of tho
| California regiment, comm sndci b. Lieut.. Col.
Nesbar. Gen Bikor tben took command, first
complimeDtinR Col DeveI for hi successful ro-
| sistaDce to superior force, and giving his com
| mand, new less than GOO men, Tho nght of the
line ot battle the centre ard loft wing being
| formed f about 8Ceof the Mpsachusets goth
| under Col. Lac, and tho California battalion,
about five hundred in number under Lieut.
/ Col Nisbar. Two mountain howtzGrs, COM
| manded by Lieut.. Fiench, ant one piece OF tho
New York battery, commanded by Lieut. Bran
hall, were in front Of the centre just previous
TO the commencement OF the action.
| The attack was commenced by the entmy on
| our right, but was soon objected more heavily
| TO the centre and left.
For about two hours the bittle ragged terrh-
cally, a complete shower q leadan hail pouring
upon US. Three several times the left OF tho
lna made an advance, but were compelled to
return a. often. The right was better protected
snd Leld their position.
DEATH or col BAKER.
An order camo from General Baker TO throw
| two companies of tho 18Th Missachu setts 10 tho
/ ,.t.fta btph aV,, Nt.l.1 taI
| produced the impression that the battle was
| going against M, but caused no confusion or
dismsy. The left was hard pre- sod, but remain
cd finn About this time tho news spread that
Gen. Baker was killed while in the act Of
| pushing "A cannon forward with his shoulder &
ihe wheel, he was pierced by six balls. Ho
was evidently the object Of the enemies shs'p
| shooters.
| ARRIVAL or COL. CoGswELL.
| After this there was cessation Of fire for a
few minutes, during which Col C)gswell, Of
tie Tammsny regimont arrived with two com
| puies. ard he being ths seSir officer, the com
lnand deyoved on him. In short time it be-
, | came evident TO Col. CCgsw,ll that the day was
, | lost, and he thought 1t boat to cut his way
through TO Edwards Ferry, where Gen. Cor
4, man was in charge throw ing over reinforce"
| ments by a direction Of & N Stone, who was
within sight Of the battle field at Edward 1
Ferry, directing the general movements.
An order was now issued TO transfer the 18th
Massachusetts, from tho right to the loft, which
, | was executed a3 calmly a a battalion Grill.
TIE RETREAT.
Col, Cogswell sooR became sAtisfei Of tho
, | Lrpo,slUility Uf reaching Edwards Ferry as de-
/ slTed, and gave an order to fall back towards
l | the river, which was executed well as the
circumstances would permit. Tbey reached the
! river bank about 20 minutes before nlghuall.
!. Here the 10Th deployod as sklrmishers along
~ | tia ahora Tho oulx mna M %
J. the Island was large blat, capable Of carrying
about 40 persons, wIich was Overcrowded and
: swamred The troops remaining on the shore
made desperate resist lnc', AMI II IS believed
that the enemy took comparatively few prison
els in consequence
Those who could swim plunged into the wa
! ter, those carrying their arms who could, and
! others throwing them into the river to prevent
4 their falling into the enemies hands. Some es-
capped by avsling themselves Of the dark ies
: and the heavily wooded banks, but several ar
= | known TO have been drowned In the waters O
y the Potomac The behavior of our troops befor
q superior number Of the nemy, was marked a
molly, brave and enduring.
Z. AoALLANr CHARGE.
10 Near tho coso Of the ac'icu, and after the dl
was irretreivably lost, the two recently arrive
l. companies Of the Tammauy regiment made
desperate charge but were net with a terrt
ire by the enemy. IL is probable that a reb,
officer was mistbken Tor one OF our command
ID ers, who appeared in front and gave tho ordc
=. 10 charge.
10 The brave Lieut.. Bpmbsll, of tho Now Yor
9TH battery lost one of his guns and himse
was woundcd severely, but not fatally.
The gallant Lieut.. French Of the HOwitzt
=. | Battery, fred with his own hands, four Sh
-. after the day was lest, and his men scattera
~ ~ lie was shot in the lett breast and ankle, b
~ not MORALLY wounded.
-, On reaching the island, which no did
~ throwing his sword and revolvors into the rive
"a | and swimming acIos5.
w Col Devcns at once posted 30 Of his men
prevent any attempt of tho enemy at pursu
This force was sutsequenily augmented by t
arrival there Of other companies from tho NJ A.
ito land shore, under Col. lliacks of 10. III a
Iur achuseus.
IN. | THE KILLED.
The following are the X lied ;-Commissior
officers Of the Massachusetts l5th-tapt RO.
wood, Co. 4 Capt. Simond' Co. B Ca
nv Bowman, Co G, (proAablyD Capt Studey, {
Inc ID; "a Lieut.. Grant III Lieut.. VssSd, Co.
Iv. Capt. GatCLe!l, Co. X.
MIA WOUNDED.
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