The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-08-05

the camp. il practicable. before returning
country. will under all circumstances. keep hi
command well in hand and not sacrifice them q
any supposed advantage Of rapid pursuit.
Having accomplished this duty, Colonel Deven,
will return to his present position. unless he shall
see the Virginia side nearer the river, which
he can undoubtedly hold until reinforced, and one
which can be successfully held against largely
superior numbers. In such case, he will hold on
and report CHARLES p. STONE,
a7dl Brigader Genenl.
Great care will be used by Colonel Devens to pre-
vent any unnecessary injury Of private property;
mand for curiosity or plunder will be instantly shot
CHARLES p. STONE,
Brigadier General.
HEADQUARTERS CoRrs or OBsERvArIoS,(
Edwards' Ferry, October 81, 1861. 1l
COLONEL: In case of heavy firing in front Of
Harrison's Island you will advance the California
regiment of your brigade. or retire the regiments
under Colonels Lee and Devens, now on the Vir-
ginia side of the river
Very respectfully. Colonel, yours. most kindly.
CHARLES p. STONE.
inJ Brigadier-General Commanding.
Colonel Z. D. BAKER, Commanding Brigade.
HEApouARrERs CoRrs or OssERvArroS.l
Edwards Ferry, October 81, IL so.
COLONEL: am informed that the force of the en-
emy 10 about four thousand all told If you push
them you may do so as far as to have strong posi-
tion near Leesburg if you can keep them from before
yoI avoiding their batteries. Ifthey pass Leesburg
far, but seize the first good position to cover that
road. Their design is to draw on. IL they are
obliged to retreat as far rs Goose Creek where thew
can be reinforced from Manassas. have strong
position Report frequently, 90 that when they are
pnshed German can come in on their flank.
full ox,1 trt,lxv
CHARLES P. STONE.
Brgadier- General Commanding.
Colonel Z. ID. BAKER, Commanding Brigade.
Thus il Is shown that Colonel Baker had
reason TO expect reinforcements, for the enemy
were n te pushed upon their flank by Gen.
At two o'clock on Monday norning Col.
Devens crossed tho river uron a rcconnoisr
sance with four hundred men Al Balls Bluff
opposite Harrison's Landing, rs directed by
Gen. Stone. At day light Col. Baker was
orlcred 10 cross to the support Of Col. D"v-
ems. have read his orders. One scow and
two small boats were Their only means OF
At eight o'clock on Monday
morning the fight commenced by Col. Dsv-
ems, and Col. Baker wss placed in command,
as is alleged, with discretionary orders. Col.
Baker knew that Smith and Mccall we're at
Drainesville, or within striking distance, that
our troops were crossing at Edwards Ferry,
or, in other words, that forty thousand effec
tive men were within twelve miles Of him,
and that at least thirty thousand were npon
the Virginia side Of the Potomac, and that in
tho nature of things he must he reinforced.-
He did not know that at half past ten A. NJ,
Of Monday, or two and one half hours after
Col. Devens commenced the fight, The divis
10 g of Smith and Mccall commenced their
retreat, by the express orders Of Gen. Nc
Cle!lan. He knew that Col. Devens was
with greatly superior forces. and,
like gallant soldier as ho wa, he hastened
to his relief with all the force he could cross
with his nd quate means Of transportation.
Col. Baker has been charged with impru
dence and rashncss; but ueither the facts nor
the testimony support the charge. Instead Of
r'shly or imprudently lvancing in'o the en"-
my's lines, as was alleged, hs did not m v tn
rods rom the Bluff, and the only sustaining
witness to this charge was one officer, who
swore that he thought Col. Baker imprudent.
Iy exposed himself to the enemy's bullets
This kind Of rashness is usually pardoncd af.
ter the death Of the pcrpetrator. At two
command Of about eighteen hundred men up
On Balls Bluff, including Colonel Deveus'
men and three guns: and the fighting com
mcnccd. The alternatives were fight and
conquer, surrender or be captured. That no.
bic band of heroes and their gallant COM
nander understood these terrible alternatives
rs well upon that bloody field as we do now.
md molly did they vindicate their manhood.
During all these long hours, from 2 o'clock p.
NJ, until the early dusk Of evening, the gal
ant Baker continued tho unequal contest,
when he fell pierced BY three bullets and in
tantlv expired. A council OF war was called,
after the frigh'ful death struggle over bis life
ess remains and for them,) and it was decid
d that the only chance of escape was by
'utiing through the enemy and reaching Ed
wards Ferry, which was at onco decided up
IN; Tut willie forming for the desperate en-
counter. the enemy rushed upon our little
,and Of heroes in overpowering numbers, and
he rout was perfect.
Colonel Devens says:
"As we were talking, Col. Cogswell came up.
md it appeared in moment that he was the officer
entitled to take the command. Colonel Cogswell
aid TO me, Colonel Devens. we should, think,
make an effort to cut our way TO Edwards Ferry;
hat is the thing TO be done ] replied to him. as
had to Colonel Lee, that would take any order
" his"
Colonel Lee says:
Captain Harvey, of Colonel Baker's staff his ad-
utant General, come up, and said that he believed
hat Colonel, Cogswell was the senior officer. Col.
Cogswell was stranger TO me; l knew he was on
he field; but whether he was my senior or his,
vas a question would not there. but as Captain
Harvey stated it confidently. accepted it as fact;
or il was no time 10 dispute about rank on field
# battle like that. said, Very we'll; what are
'our ordersT L think said Colonel Cogswell,
that we had better Try TO cut our way through the
nemy to the left, and reach Edwards Ferry;
which is from two and half to t.ree miles distant
rom where we were"
Major Mix, third New York cavalry, says, !
n answer TO the question:
"What number of men would have driven of the
ncmy at Balls Bluff If you had gone up.
Answcr.-I think almost any number would, be- |
ause we would have attacked them ON theiV flank |
md rear. / think twenty-five men would have !
cared them of, for being in the woods, and coming
light out upon them they would have thought there
vas something terrific coming. " '
Question-How many men had you over there |
Edwards Ferry at the time you wanted TO 60 up
N Ralvs IlIuHy