Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-25
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
p,r.IoulRrs of the Battle of
- TiI,,1r. Opposite IInrrisOn's Is
i.nd. ON the Upper Potomac.
ReDorted for the Daily 1ntelligenoer.)

POoLSvILLE, MD, OcL. 81 He LOllOM-
ing report of the battle of Balls Bluff,
midway between Conrad's Ferry and Ed
wards Ferry, and opposite Harrison's Is
land, which occurred yesterday, is Cleaned
from authentic sources:
On Sunday night Col. Devin, OF the 18th
Massachusetts regiment, who had for some
time guarded HarrisOns Island with one
company, ordered Capt. Philbrook, of Co.
H, and Quartermaster Howe, of his staff
with a detachment of 2O2 men, to scout
the Virginia shore in the direction OF Lees
burg They crossed from the Island to the
shore, and executed the order by approach
ing within three-fourth of mile OF Lees
burg, returning to their starting point
about ten O'Clock at night, discovering, as
they supposed, a small camp one mile or
more from Leesburg. On reporting TO Col.
Deyin, the latter, with 300 men, pushed
forward MS directed by General Stone, IN
the same locality, with orders to destroy
the camp. At daybrCak the scouts re-
turned to Col Devin, who remained with
his command concealed, and word was sent
back that no enemy was i'll sight. Capt.
PhiIbrook'S company took an advanced
position, while the remaining companies
were concealed as n reserve, in case of an
attack on the advance. When about amile
and 81 half from the river, and 500 yards
in advance of Col. Devin's reserve. Capt
PhiIbrook, accompanied by Col. DevIn in
person, attacked and drove back Il comPn-
ny OF Mississippi Rifemen, and then tell
back to the reserve. concealed in the rear,
on the appearance of Il body of rebel cav
airy.
In the skirmish Captain Philbrook had 4
difficulty in getting near enough to the
enemy for his smooth bore guns to have
much effect, whereas the others used long
range rifles on our forces.
At daylight, and the same hour that
Col. Devin's command left the shore to
make the advance, Col. Lee. of the 10th
massachusetts, sent over one company of
his regiment which remained on the shore
to cover the retreat of Col. Devin. The
Colonel, however, maintained his ground
and was reinforced during the morning by
300 more OF his regiment, under Lieut. Col!
Ward About l o'clock he WAS attacked
by considerable force OF ritiemen, who
attempted TO ont flank him. Fearing that
they might be successful. and after resist
| ing them for some time, Col. Dcvin slowly
retrcated in perfect order TO tue river,
where Col. Baker had arrived with II bat
TALON OF the California Regiment, COM
manded by Lieut.. Col. WiSter. Col. Baker
then took command. first complimGn!ing
| Col Derin for his successful resistance TO
Il superior force, aud giving his command,
now less than 600 men, the right OF the
! line OF battle, tue centre and left being
turmed of about 300 of the Massachusetts
goth, under Col. Lee, and the California
battalion, about 500 in number, under
! Lieut.. Wislcr. Two mountain hOwitzers,
commanded by Lieut.. Freuch and one
piece of the New York battery, command
ed by Lieut.. BramhuIl, were i'll front OF
the centre post previous to the commence
mcnt of the action.
The attack WAS commenced by the enc
my on our right, but was soon directed
more heavily to the centre and lett. For
about hours the battle ragged trrriiica!lv.
Three times the left made an advance, hut
were compelled to retire Il; often. The
regiment was better protected, aud held
their position. An order came from Col
Baker To throw two companies of the Mas
| sachusetts 18th to the centre. which was
Immediately executed. This produced the
impression that the battle WAS going
against us, but caused no confusion or dis
may. The left WAS hard pressed but re
NAMED firm.
About this time the news spread that
Col. Baker was killed While in the act Of
pushing a cannon forward with his shout
der TO the wheel he was pierced by six
balls. He evidently the object OF the
cncmy'5 sharp shooters. After this there
was i cessation of the fire for few min
utes during which. Col CogsweIl. of the
Tammany Regiment, arrived with two
companies, and he being the senior officer
the command devOlved upon him.
In short time it become evident to
Col. Coggswell that the day WAS lost, and
he thought it best to cut his way through
to Edwards Ferry, where Gen. German
was in Charge, throwing over reinforce
ments, by direction of Gen. Stone, who
was within sight of the battle field ut Ed
wards Ferry, directing the general move
mcnts. An order was now issued to trans
fer the 18th Massachusetts from the right
to the left, which was executed us calmly
as at il battalion drill.
Col. CoggsweIl soon became satisfied OF
the improbability of reaching Edwards
Ferry, as desired, and gave an order TO fall
back towards the river, which was exc
cuted as well as the circumstances would
permit. They reached tnc river bank
about 20 minutes before nightfall. Here
the 18th Massachusetts dcployed us Skin
mishers along the shore. The only means
of conveyance to the Island was a large
boat, capable of carrying about 40 persons,
which WAS overcrOwdcd and swamped, and
another boat of small dimensions. The
troops, marching along the shore. made Il
desperate resistance. 1t is believed the
enemy took comparatively few prisoners
in consequence. Those who could swim.
plunged into the water, many carrying
their arms with them, and others throwing
them into the river to prevent them falling
into the enemy's hands. Some escaped by
availing themselves of the darkness and
the heavily wooded banks but several are
known to have been drowned in the waters
of the Potomac. The behaviour of our
troops before = superior number of the
enemy, was marked by noble bravery and
endurance.
Near the close of the action, and after
the day was considered irretrievably lost,
the two companies of the Tammany IN