New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-01
INCIDENTS OF THE BALLS BLUFF
FIGHT.
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From Our Special Correspondent.
WAsHISGToN, Oct. %, 1851.
note few detached incidents of the action Of
the ooh Massachusetts Regiment in the engagement
at Balls Bluff Undoubtedly the experience Of
other regiments would furnish host Of stirring
ecdotes, but ii s not easy either TO find the partc-
pants or to collect their narratives when they have
purely personal relation.
Af.er all was finished, and the fragments Of the
regiment were brought together at the waters edge
it was determined TO push upward along the shore,
with the uncertain hope OF finding some means of
recrossing to the Mary land side. In the event Of
meeting the enemy, however, it was determined to
surrender at once since any contest under the car.
cumstances would be q useless sacrifice Of life After
progressing mile 30, the officers Capts. Bartlett
and Tremlett and Lieuts. Whittier and Abbott dis
covered mill, surrounded by cottages, about which
numbers Of persons were seen moving. Here it
seemed that they must yield themselves. The OFF,
cers ordered Lalt and directed the men to cast all
their arms into the river, 30 that the enemy should
gain as little as possible by the surrender Shall
we be accountable il we throw them awayl' asked
one or two "Gaess not, said others, if an officer
orders u.s." go everything went over. Lieut.. Whit
tied ON his sword 10 be used when occasion should
demand. The fret porson met was In old negro,
who, though greatly terrified at encountering large
and une xpected assemblage, ocntrived to reveal
that an old boat was stored near the mill, which
might be bailed out and used to convey the fugiys
across the river. A gift Of FIVE dollars insured hs
services. and tie boat was in due time launched and
ready for use. IL was small, and only few couh
pass AZ each trip. Until dawn Il passed back ard
FORTH until all were transferred in safety. One o.
Ger went over in the third boat 10 keep the wal
together on tho Marys sde the others waited Gil
the last.
Many Of the survivors Of the fight escaped by
swimming. Capt. Grow ninsheld, long known in
Harvard as the strokeoar of the boat club swan to
Harrison's Island, without clothing. and saving
nothing bat his watch, which be carried in his mouth
Being greatly fatigued, he turned in beneath the
most convenient hay-rick, aud slept till moning,
when, in the hurry of departure, and the especial
anxiety of procuring clothing he departed without
giving a thought to the watch which he had sken
,uch paine to keep possession Of the night before
and which be had tucked away beside him before
going TO sleep.
A German sergeant, on seeing his Captain fall.
toward the close Of the fight, collected four five
iles of his company, about dozen men stogeher,
and CRYING, "Boys, we can only die once; we'll
ayeuge the captains DEATH" led them fighting into
.be very heart of the enemy position. He innedi-
ltely disappeared and nothing afterward seen of
lim any Of his band.
When most Of our force was driven back in con
uson, the Goth men lay down at the edge Of th,
eep river bank, guarding themselves until rally
ould he made. Some Of the officers remained stand
ng. Col. Lee called to them to lie down also, and
specially urged Lieut.. Whittier not to needessly ex.
,ose himself, bu, take shelter, as he was doing.
Lieut.. Whittier then dropped 10 the ground, and at
almost the same instant a rush of bullets all around
md above bin told that he had been taken as par
icular mark, and that another second would have
been too late TO save bis life.
Before starting upon the expedition on Monday
norning the men had left their knapsacks and blan-
kct5 upon HaTison's Island In the retreat il was
impossible for more than few to gather them up
ae lin. A lieutenant volunteered on Wednesday, |
after the island had been visited by the Rebel scouts
10 20 over with five and collect what remained. he
did 90, and returned with more than hundred KNAPP
sacks and blankets to tho great comfort Of many os
the men who had suffered from the icy weather. |
While there, the men secured nearly the whole
island but could not be persuaded TO enter the build
ing which bad been used as hospital, In which 30
many oorpses Of their former comrades lay.