, 1862-10-18
Death of Gen. I. I. Stevens.

| correspondent OF the New YORK ITI0une, IN
describing the battles which occurred near Fair
fax and Centerve, en- the frsi of September
last, has the following relative to the death of
Gen. Stevens of Washington Territory, who fell
in the battle of Chantilly
WASHINGTON, Sept 5.-The same hour that
Gen. Stevens was killed in battle, number of
prominent gentlemen filling influential positions
were in consultation in this city and in other parts
of the country, with view of having him assigned
to the command of the army of Virginia Sue
cessive manifestations of ncapacity during year
of war have induced thinking men to cast about
for leader. These gentlemen had fixed upon
Gen. Isaac |. Stevens as the man. His splendid
conduct in the battles of Friday and Saturday
had just attracted attention to him. 1t was re-
membered that in pure capacity he had always
been first, having taken the honors at West P Point
with scarcely an effort, and though old political
enemies, these men resolved to ask that he be
given leading command-while they were con-
sultng he led on his men and fell.
The Importance of The engagement of Monday
ney, has not been generally understood. The truth
is, it was not mere episode, made noteworthy
by the death Of two such leaders, but a crisis,
where nothing but decision and sacrifice on the
part of those leaders availed to prevent disaster
The army was retreating from Centerville. The
battle was fought against rebel force that had
penetrated five miles nearer Washington than our
rear, and was moving to strike upon the flank
Gen. Stevens division, the advance of Reno's
corps, was on the left of the road taken by the
trains and intercepted the enemy. He saw that
the rebels must be beaten back at once, or during
the night they would stampede the wagons, and
probably so disconcert our retreat that the last
divisions would fall prey to their main force
He decided to attack Immediately, at the same
time sending back for supplies. Having made
his dispositions, he led the attack on foot, at the
head of the Seventy ninth (Hghlanders.) Soon
meeting whitening fire, and the Color Sergeant,
Sandy Campbell, grizzled old Scotchman, being
wounded, they faltered. One of the color guard
took up the flag, when the General snatched it
from him. The wounded Highlander at his feet
cried, For Gods sake General, don't you take
the colors they'll shoot you if you do" The
answer was, Give me the colors If they don't
follow now, they never will )" and he sprang for
ward, crying, We are all Highlanders follow,
Highlanders forward, my IIighanders !" The
Highlanders did follow their Scottish chief, but
while sweeping forward ball struck him on his
right temple. He died instantly. An hour after
wards, when taken up, his hands were clenched
still around the flagstaff
moment after seizing the colors, his son,
Capt Hazard Stevens, fell wounded, and cried
to his father that he was hurt. With but glance
back, that Roman father said +" l can't attend TO
you now, Hazard Corporal Thompson, see to
my boy"
The language have given as Gen. Stevens
was taken down on the field by member of his
staff He has often remarked that if it were his
fate to fall in battle, he hoped he should be shot
through the temple and die instantly.