New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-18

,g and shortly AFTER MS troops mafcneo III ana
o,,,ed on Bolivar plain, at our left. Col. Downe'
9th hi, regiment, had iined him at Shepardsc vn.
An orr foices were now concentrated at the ferry.
Gen. White, who, by rank, became comr lander of
the forces waived his right, and tende red his SER
vices and those of bis troops, to CIl. Miles. As
complaints have since been made lat no order was
Issued stating who was to be comlr andsnt it proper
TO state that an order wac prepared by Col. Miles,
and copy sent to Gen. White. at whose request the
order was withheld from PRONUNCIATION TO brigade
commanders.
On Saturday, Col. Downey, with the Sd Maryland
Regiment, was ordered TO Maryland Hights, and
subsequently the ll5th New-York was sent over
There was some brisk fighting during the morning
the Rebels slowly working their way over the crest
of the hill, and our boys dsputng their way cour.
ageously. Here the 10th behaved very badly and
the fault lies with some of the officers as well as the
men. They broke ranks and ran, some even throw
ing their gus away, and two companies never
STOPPED till they reached tie pOntoon bridge There
Lieut.. Binney, Aid-de-Camp 10 Col Miles, sue
ceeded in stopping the rout with drawn saoer' ana
sent the fellows back to the HILL
COL Sheriff. urged his men not to disgrace them
selves by running, and did all in his power TO rally
them while doing W hich he received ball in his
law infficting severe wound. Adutant Barras
also distinguished himself by his galantry ard exer-
ton TO stop the panic, and received the thanks oil
Col. Miles for his conduct. In their haste TO hee
from the mountain, the men ran over the 39th New
York ard also the 81 Maryland. The officers Of both
these regiments ordered their men 10 stop such pro-
ceedngs at the point of the bayonet The other
New-York regiments are ashamed Of the conduct OF
the Tooth. The excuse that they were green troops
will not suffice as the l5th il also new corps and
stood their ground, fighting manfully.
As tie fight progressed our troops concentrated
nearer the battery, when Capt. McGrath and Capt.
G raham both opened upon the woods with shells,
and succeeded in efiectually Smelling the Rebels
back again. The positions OF Capt McGraths and
CAPT Gfaham's batteries were such that they could
prevent any large force from advancing in body
upon the guns. The firing of musketry had now
ceased, but the batteries continued Smelling the
woods making them very uncomfortable for any
human being. Judge with what surprise, then, the
the occupants of Bolivar Nights saw long column
of infantry marching from Maryla land Higbts to the
Ferry. Can it be that they are eyacuating! was
the query every ones lips.
Looking to the camps the artillerists were OBJ
served at their posts, and each tried to persuade the
other that il was only some But, alae, it was
too true Col Ford had ordered the evacuation, for
what reason the men could not learn. Captain
McGrath, as true and brave soldier walked,
upon receiving the order 10 spike Lis guns, was
astounded that he refused to obey it, and not until
he saw infantry deserving him, could be be induced
to perform the disgraceful task. He sat upon his
guns-his baby-wakers, as he called the Dahlgrens
and wept ike a child, telling Col. Ford that :" no
matter by whose order ii done, it piece of
treachery."
This abandonment Of the key 70 the whole posi-
ton certainly requires the most careful investigation
at the hands Of the proper authorities. Col. Ford
had positive and written orders 70 hold the place to
, the last extremity. Five thousand troops and all
our batteries TO aid him. Col. +. bad remarked
that " he had looked the bill all over and made mp
bis mind to stay there" that " not man should
come down until they had been whipped from it,"
Subsequent action certainly gave the lie to bis
words Col Miles, who was at the extreme left
upon learning that the troops were leaving, rode
hastily toward the spot, but met the men on their
way up the hill, and learning that the guns were
spiked, did not order them back as he intended
doing. As there was much talk 10 whom belonged
the responsibility Of the evacuation Of this battery
and position your correspondent asked Col. Miles if
| i. was done by bis order. 6" No. Sir, but in direct
opposition TO them" was the unequivoca reply.
The Dahlgreen guns Were thoroughly spiked, and
tipped off the platform into the dirt. Had infantry
remained to assist they would have been preciptscd
] ,.,e Al - 81
howitzers were also rendered useless. Officers and
men were thunderstruck at the performance, and
Col. Utassy, commanding the frs. brigade, offered
10 reake and hod the position but Col. Miles refused.
The evacuation received the merited condemnation
Of officers and men. Every that the way
for the Rebels was now open the door locked, it is
true, but the key hung outside. Hardly had the
bill been deserted ere the Rebels appeared on Lou
don Heights in considerable force and commenced
signalling. Capt. Graham opened his batteries upon
them and made three excellent line shots, the third
scattering the party, and driving the signal flag into
the woods. Capt. Won Schelne's battery also com
menced firing upon them and did execution. No
notice was taken by the Rebels of our firing; that
they busily at work getting battery into posi-
ton was apparent. To whom they were signalling
could not be seen. Our batteries lred upon them
occasionally during the afternoon, ard must have
done some serious damage the shells fell right in
their midst.
During the day Gen. Whites troops were assigned
positions. Capt. Phpss battery ordered to
tie extreme right, the Goth Illinois supporting it. |
These joined the first brigade d classy. The 10Th |
New-York was assigned 10 Col. Trimbe, command .
ing the second brigade. The battery Of Capt. Won
schelem, occupied the center and that of Captain
Rgly the left. The left was clearly our weakest
point, and bTeastwork was thrown up to protect
the nnns md men nnder the a recfinn of Cnrf