The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-01-08

when happening to have business at the
Post Office, we again met. Of course,
after the usual salutations, the conversa-
tion naturally turned upon the late disas-
trous battle of Balls Bluff.
And with tears in his eyes, the noble
fellow related to me the particulars of the
fight, from the moment the troops were
thrown across the Potomac till Baker fell,
and the shrill bugle notes ordered re-
treat 81
"But." said he at this proint of his
narration, "You talk about romance and
fiction, there's little incident connected
with Col. Baker and the battle, that seems
beyond belief, but its true, nevertheless.
1.-The fight had reached the point where
the enemy began to leave cover and come
down on us pretty heavily and our lines
were shaking, and wavering, and gradu-
ally falling back. Just then Colonel Ba-
ker, who had been helping to serve a
couple of howitzers, saw the critical con-
dition of affairs, and sprang forward bare
headed from the guns, waving his sword
and shouting:
Steady, boys F! steady Charge bay
onets Forward Follow me y
"The waVer in the lines instantly stop
ped, and the boys, bringing up their
pieces firm and square, did follow him, I
tell you, with most terrific yell And,
in spite of everything although the South
erners outnumbered US four to one, if
Col Baker had lived fifteen minutes Ion
ger, we would have cleared the field
But, unfortunately, at the very moment
we were beginning to drive our foes back
and they fought splendidly-our gal
liant leader fell in the middle of a squad
of rebels that he was trying to break up.
y rebel captain yelled out at this mo-
ment:
"That's Baker, men. Get him away
quick - -H.
And the Mississippians made dash
for the body. -.-...-..-
"As they did so, light built, but
beautiful shaped soldier, sprang forward
out of the ranks and screamed in shrill
feminine voice:
"Save him Save dear Edward !"
"Our men instantly gave yell, and the
moment following, dozen of US headed
by this private and Captain Beriel, were
| fighting hand to hand with the foe over
the dead body Of our beloved Colonel
The Captain at last getting hold Of the
] - In, bo al,
inc in behind him effectually prevented
the rebels from approaching him. Not
one Of us however, fought with the valor
of ferocity of The private who had irst
sprung to the rescue and who was now
battling devotedly with the enemy.
There was mysterious attachment and
curiosity, that | cannot account for, that
drew me towards the noble fellow, and [
made icy way 10 HIM AS reached his
side he fell pierced by rife ball -
Throwing down my own piece. | quickly
caught up his PROSTATE form, and bound
cd away for the river, which providen-
italy, | reached unharmed. But upon
coming to the bank | found that it vas
impossible to get across, and so, carrying
my charge to Il dense tbicket, in piece
of popular woods near by-for the pursu-
ing enemy were shooting US down from
the bluff above-I concealed him and N.Y.
self from immediate harm.
"His wound was in the left breast, and,
as perceived, it must soon prove fatal,
my efforts were all directed to making
him as easy as possible. Stripping off
part of my clothing, [ made pillow for
his head, and placing my own canteen to
his lips, gave him good drink. This re-
vived him, and, looking thankfully up in
my face, he said g:
"God bless YOU for your kindness.
''Then, after a short pause, during
which he lay as one asleep, he opened his
eyes, and said in an altered tone, in fact,
the sweetest voice | ever heard.
"Comrade, am dying but before |
90, | wish to confde to you my strange
story. I am not as [ seem. | am fe-
male, and my name is Ellen LeClere. -
Many years ago, when Col. Baker lived
in Illinois, saw him by chance, and fell
In love with him. But for long time,
| dare not make known to him personally
my passion for him for although edu-
Gated and handsome, I was an outcast
from society.
"'At last my love passed all bounds,
and SO, one evening, as he was walking
out alone, [ accosted him, and made
known my feelings, at the same time tell
ing him who | was, and, alas what I was
If [ loved him before that night, however,
| loved him tenfold more dearly after that
first and final interview After listening
to me, and gaining from me my entire
history said
1EEAlacl NV LII "