St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-12-12
Report Of Colonel Dana.
Ht1p:QuARrzRs FlRsr REC. MINI. N, J
.'VoL's, CAMP NEAR EDWARDS
FrRRY, Oct. 26th, 1861. ~"

CAPT. JOHN H. PELL, Aoting-Assistant
Adjutant. General, Gorman', Brigade,
1T was not my intention to make 4 de-
tailed report Of the part taken by this reg.
iment in the late advance made ipto Vir-
ginia Ly Edwards Ferry, but being called
on BY the Brigadier General Commanding,
I now proceed to submit It 'as follows: II:
Oh Sunday last. at about one o'clock P.
NJ, I received verbal order BY an ABIDE
Camp from Brigadier-Gen Gorman, to
turn out my regiment Immediately and
march 1t to Edwards Ferry, about two
miles distant. -:
| At this time there were three Compa-
nies, viz: Company A, Capt: Coates, Com
panv B, Capt, Downie, and Company G.,
Captain Messick, on detached service as
pickets, extending along the Potomac
from three to twelve miles below the Fer:
ry. The remaining seven companies Of
the regiment were under arms and ready
for marching in very few minutes, with
thirty rounds Of ammunition in each mans
cartridge box. After being displayed in
line on the hills, in full view and easy
range of the Virginia shore, for some
time, l received an order to march to the
river bank at the ferry, aud send two
companies across in the three small fat
boats which were there. Having taken
position along the bank SO as to cover the
crossing with the FIRE of our rifles, Captains
Morgan and Lester with their companies,
E and K, were ordered to cross, which
they did in gallant style under cover of a
sharp firs from several pieces Of artillery
posted on the hills in our rear, landing on
the enemy's shore at dusk, and finding his
cavalry pickets still on the bank, when
they were only fifty yards from it. 80.
They deployed as skirmishers along the
shore, and after remaining there about fif-
teen minutes, was ordered to recall them.
The Bugle SCUM ded twice before they re-
embarked, and although greatly disappoint-
ed At not being allowed to remain, they
were in good spirits: The regiment was
then ordered back to camp, aud the men
sent to bed with orders to be ready for
marching at a moments notice.
1 was at bed only three hours, when at
II o'clock NJ, on Monday morning, 1
received an order to have the regiment
aroused without noise, breakfastcd, and at
daybreak marched to the Ferry, with KNAPP
sacks, canteens, and one days rations.
Having reached the landing and receiv-
ed instructions to cross the river. Cap
tains Farrell and Smith, with their compa-
nies, c aud D, were ordered to- cross first
and deploy as skirmishers on the bluff on
the Virginia side, about four hundred
yards from the landing. The boats afford
ed passage for only two companies at>a
"trip; and the first crossing was made in
about nine minutes. The regiment cross
ed by boat loads as rapidly as possible,
and at about half past eight o'clock it. was
formed in line Of battle, r. its left resting on
Goose Greek, and with, the IitAo comptnies
deployed as sklrmisher. abent four hun
dred. yards ink nkfftopt s lthis position I'VE
continued tto bold, for, three dsys, wing {.
great portionof which il rainsd Violently
and was very cgla. Comp4uis,I A, B and
G arrived IRON dstao ohed sel,ice during
Monda y nig i;li AbSut the I$iddle oft6at
nigh, atfet fkenta Five hqndred troops:
inclqdpg Thirty six cavalryyand two pieces
ofartl1lery, had crossed, orders were issued
to recross the river and for Minnesota to
hold the position and cover the crossing
With this purpose the regiment wa. form
ed and kept in line under arms, whilst
other troops were crossing, but the order
was counterm Anded in the course of the
night, after about half of'the troops had
crossed, and they were again recrossed to
tho Virginia side with others. to reinforce
them. @":>2, ']' .s,.:!:,t'>t' . !" .'''}. I,
/ Tho regiment was heavily drawn on for
outlying pict cts and for fatigue parties Of
men to work the boats: During one LAY
five; companies were on picket guard, in
different positions iu advance, and on Tues
Eday afternoon company l, commanded by
I'd Lieutenant Halsey, :, was attacked; by
the enemy, in force, with the loss. ef. one
private killed and one wounded, hereto
fore reported. .,. -, .,1I,.r.,z 4, ..riyj !.
About half past nine o'clock on We'd
nesday night, was sent'for by Biigadier
General Stones who had assumed COM
mand Of tho whole, force, which was then
upwards Of four thousand men, nearly two
hundred horses, Gncluding those belong
ting TO mounted of6cefs) and two ppieccees of
.rtillery,-and informed by him that he
had RECEIVED orders to retire, and had Sc
lected me e superiptend the -embarkation
j Of tho left, wing, and detail the lst Min.
Eneseta 9to cover the retreat and hold the
position, ifi fiattaoked, to the last .35"V7" ii
|. ? J. anpouneed tho instructions and ex-
IplainE.a.da E..a the dlelcacy efthe sservieeIta tho
oseIs as'se Of thf regiment Eheh
leaptd ftrwstd Will htheir imdeenn men aaad occd,, 81,
1pjedtka lines itodtanoSlWhflet tkN>u >ui6-