The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-10-31
Report Of tho Bal. BI.G B.,,Io.

General Stones report TO the War Depart
msnt state, that on the 2O;h inst al 10 o'clock,
P. NJ Lieutenant Howe, QulrsermAster Of the
Fifteenth Massachusetts, reported that scouts
under C,ptain Phi.brick, had returned, having
be within one mile Of Leesburg and there
discovered in the edge Of wood an encAmp-
me mt Of 80 tents.
Orders w,re then instantly sent to Colonel
Devens to cro's four companies TO the Virginia
shore, and msrch silently under cover of night
10 the petition OF the enemy referred to, to at
tack ard destroy it at daybreak, pursue the
enemy lodged there, as far as would be pruden',
and return Immediately 10 the island. Colonel
Deven3 was ordered to make close observation
Of II position strength, and movements Of the
enemy, and in the event OF there being no ene-
my there visible, to hold on in a secure position
until he couli bs strength nsd sufficiently to
make u valuable T, connoissance.
A. this time orders were sent 10 Colonel
| Baker TO send the Firs, California reg nent to
| Conrsd's Ferry, to arrive there ut sunrise, and
to have the remainder Of his brigade rosdy 10
| move early.
Colonel Devens, having in pursuance of his
orders arrived ut the position Designated TO him
~ the site &C the enemy : camp, found that the
| scou had been deceived by the uncertain
| light and mistsken openings in the trees for a
row Of tents. Colonel Dsvens however, found
a wood in which no concealed his forcs, and pro-
|
Ltesburg, sending back to report that thus far
| he could no enemy. Immediately on re
csipt of this intelligence, ordered a non COM
missiontd officer and ten cavalry 70 join Colonel
| Levens, for the purpose OF securing the coun'r
| near h IN, while engaged in the reconnoiss ancs,
and giving due notice Of the spproach Of any
| force snL hat Lieut.. Col. War1, with his b at.
talon of the IL h Massachusetts, should move
on 70 Smoots Mills half mile to the right Of
tho cross sing place OF Colonel Devens, and 9
~leIe, in a strong position, he could watch aud
protect the flank Of Colonel Devens in his TO
turn, ard secure q second crossing more fAvora-
bic ihAn the frat, and connected by q COOL road
with LeesburS For some reason nsreT erplnH'
ed % me, neither Of N % OrCsrS toeTe cdTI'd
out. The cavkry were Transferred to the Viz
giuis shore, buVwcre sent back without havrQ
/ fl the shore TO go iIland, and thus Colone
Devens was deprived OF the means OF obtaining
warnir OF any approach OF the enemy. Thu
hst alton under Col. Ward was detained on the
bluff in the rear Of Col. Devens, instead Of DO
inP directed to the right.
| Colonel Baker having arrived at nnrld
FrITy with tho First California regiment At a
eally hour, proceeded 10 Edwards Ferry, an
reported TO mo in person, stating that his regt
ment was at the former place, and the thre
other regiments Of his bri ,ade ready 70 march
| directed him to Hsrrison's Island to assum
command, ard in full conversation explsins
TO him the position "a 1t then stood. told hiI
that General Mccall bad advanced his tTooI
l 10 Drainsville, and that was extremely -
sirous Of asc-rtAining the exact position al
Z force of the enemy in our front, and exporin
l as far as It WAS fafe on the right toward Lee
, burg, and on the left toward the Leesburg An
4 Gum Spring road. Messengers from Harrison
. Island informed ue, soon after the arrival
Q Colonel Baker opposite the leland, that he vi
b crossing his whole force as rapidly as possibl
i and that he bad caused an additional hat-ooat
n DO rafled fTom the canal into the river, and Ia
provided limo to cross tho boats more rapid!
i In the n wing = sharp tkirmish took pa
. between two companies Of tho 10Th Mas ich
sets and about ono hundred Mississippi rid
= n en-, during which body Of the ensmy's ca
n airy appeared. Colonel Devens then fell bA
in good order on Colonel Lees position. Pr
sently he again advanced, his men bshavi
admirably, fighting, retiring and advancing
1t perfect order, and exhibiting every proof Of hi
70 courage and good di'cipline. Had the cAvAl
d. scouting party, sent him in tho morning, be
y with him, then he could have had timely war
irg f the approach Of . superior force viii
" altar ssrds overwhelmed his regiment.
Altar Colonel Devens second advance, Co
d mel Baksr went 70 he field in person, and 1t