New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-24
MORE ABOUT THE FIGHT AT EDwARDss
FERRY

The following account of the battle near Leesbnrg
in which Col Baker wac killed, is from one of tho
regular reporters Of The philadelphia Pre-"
Washington: .,
WASHINGTON, Oct. - 1861.
The contest yesterday IN which the gallant baAsS
fell was not premeditaied by either army, certainly
not by OUR. IL was brought about IN tins way;
The scouts Of the enemy discovered by the io.h
Massachusetts troops, who were at their breastwoIks
on Hamilton Islsnd. Five companies Oh these trooPs
on the island were ordered TO advance and repul;e
the enemy duty which they performed and returned
to quarters. The enemy soon Fesppeared In con-
cealed numbers, and made an attack npon our men.
Requirements from the Massachusetts 18th, with
some cavalry under command Of Van Allen, were sent
to their aid Gen. Stone IN the mean time passing his
men over with all possible dispatch at Hamilton Island
and at Edwards Ferry. The enemy appeared II
strong force of 1900, under command Of q Gen.
Evans with artillery. The contest at this point was
severe. Col. Baker re-enforced our army by taking
the night with his regiment, lie in person leading hs
men on. He fought upward Of an hour, with disas
trous effect upon the enemy. Urging thsua on 20
several times waved his bat, and advanced until rs
was cut down and carried dead from the field. Gen.
Stone Immediately took command OF the right, oas
the death Of Col Baker caused disorganization OF
the right wing OF the army from which Gen. stone
was unable TO recover, and ordered retreat, bring
ing OFF his dead and wounded. Gen. Stone bad about
10000 in his command, but portion only OF then
were enabled 10 the river in time TO afford ala
to those engaged in the conflict.
Gen, Banks's division had orders early IN the
evening TO advance toward Edwards Ferry aud
Hamilton Island, and his division, IL, 600 strong.
Ia now in Virginia, with Gen. stones DIVISION,
The New-York Tammany Regiment, Colonel
Cogsweu was In the engagement, and tne
Colonel is among the killed or is prisoner. Lieut.
Col Ward OF the 18th Massachusetts, is wounded.
Our killed and wounded are reported 10 number one
hundred and seventy Five; that of the enemy mob
stated, but Is believed to be much greater.
Our troops held possession OF the ferry ana tns'
island during the night, with occasional snos ion,
the enemy reaching them without injury. Inc hr'ns
ceased finally, and our men employed themselves ~
throwing up breastworks near the river, while tns
balance OF Gen. Stones division were croseips-
They were all over before day. and were immediately
followed by Banks's division. Ine enemy as near
as can be ascertained now H. strong IN ircni
of Banks and intimations have been received Sy
Gen. Banks that re-enforcements are coming for
ward. Banks has %, 900 men in Ds united COM
mand Another engagement may be expected at
any hour.
Another reporter of The Press furnishes the fol-
lowing account Of the affair:
The skrmish at Edwards's Ferry and in the VIZ
ciuity Of Leesburg, on Monday, was more serious
than at first apprehended. The Rebels allowed oor
forces TO cross the river without opposition and, a.
they marched forward in the direction Of Leesbar4
opened upon them from ambnscades and NAKED bat
teries. A portion of Gen. Stones division had the
advance, when the commander, feeling TIA, toe
Rebels outnumbered him nearly four TO ones be@ee