New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-10
BULL RUy-BALL,s BLUFR.
Ueutiuued from First Page.

.xv,tl L.
.nder orders from Gen. Mcclellan 10 Drsnes' hso
and its immediate neghborhood. portion %
force was moved some miles 6eyone ~ III. as
and within eight ten miles Of Leesourg 0Ei
recalled TO Drsinesville, by order OF Gen. acCeran
sbout sunset Of that day. The enure oivsion oi
WIN. +. Smith was also sent out within supporting
distance of Gen. Mccall.
G,n Mccall testIiies that he was direc,eu 70 naho
~soonnossances in all directions for three or Tour
,nus from Drainesvle, noting particularly the cosr
- of The country. About 10 o'clock on sunday
S,orn;no he informed Gen. Mcclellan that he should
not he able TO get through his work that DAY, and
received in reply "H you finish In the morning. re-
On Sunday, the Goth, Gen. Mcclellan directed a
,Ieg,am to be sent TO Gen. Stone, at P0oesvile, OF
which the following is copy furnished your Com
mittee: ,o., 49,, cu., cImr
Gen Mcclellan desires to inform yon thai Gen, McCsi
occupied Dsnevie yesterdsy and teeIe, VIII sena
point The General desire. that you keep good lookout
upon Leesbu this movement mas ,ne enec. 70 NV
them away Perhaps slight denomination on your Pn'
"'"'' A. '. COLBURN. Assistant Adjutant- General
On Sunday AFTERNOON Gen. Stone moved some
forces 10 the bank Of the river at Edwards Ferry
and crossed over one or two companies 70 'ne VII
Einia side, but very soon recalled them. ..o
Col Deyeus Of the 18th Massachusetts testihes
that be received from Gen. Stone, about CLOCK Oh
Sunday, the following order:
HEADQUARTERS CORPS OF OBSERVATION,
PooLRsvrLLR October 20, 1851. J
COLONEL: viii send orders TO the canal 70 nave
the two new stboss there opposite the island Thar
transferred the river; and will at o'clock p n
asts sas s and he Sstte The pcts
viii be replaced by the companies Of the 18Th Massachusetts
'n'fs very 's'psSCHG s p STONE, Brissdisr General
Col CHARLES DBvESs Commanding 18th Regiment Ms''s
About dark verbal order was cent to Col.
Deveus TO send Capt. Philbrick, Of his regiment,
with small party. across the river from
Hsrrisons Island, with directions to push out 70
within q mile Of Leesburg, If possible, without
being discovered, and then return and report. Capt
Philbrick accordingly crossed, with, Perhaps 10 or
90 men, at place where he had crossed some time
preyiously. when he bad discovered that the rlver
at that point was not picketed by the enemy. lie
landed at the foot OF the bluff, opposite Harrison
Island, known as Balls Bluff, assembled by path
that led TO the top and proceeded to reconnoier as
directed.
Before Can't. Philbrick returned Gen. Stone sent
the following dispatch to Gen. Mcclellan, copy Of
which was furnished your Committee:
HEADQUARTERS Army THE Poroxic.
Receiyed Washington, Oct. 90 1861. from PoOlssvils}
shs :s%s tm. started reeOunoterins party
burs from Harrison Island Enemys picket: retired to in
crossing lbs 10 minutes 1t each o.
twO points. River falling slowly sroYv p..e
Maj Gen MCCLELLAN
Capt. Philbrick pushed out some distance from the
bluff and then returned and reported that they had
discovered small camp Of the enemy that did not
appear TO be very well guarded. This report was
sent to Gen. Stone.
Col Devens reports that about midnight he re-
ceived the following order from Gen. Stone:
HEAroUARTERs CORPS OF OBSERVATION, !
RSOLHsyI III n Oct 20 lsSiLilO, p ~!
Harrison. Island with Eve companies Of hi, regiment and
proceed to surprise the OF the enemy aeoyered by
G @ IL Se w III sn r
Col Lee 2Oh Massachusetts, Volunteers wil immediately
four companies Of his regiment and viii cause the
Boa 70 be taken across the island the point Of
lhe nights the Virginia shore, after Col Dsysn's depart
Two mountain Scwser. will b. taken silently up the TOW
path and carried to tho opposite side Of the island under n
Col D.vsrs win s..aci the camp Of the enemy at d.ybre.l
and having routed viii purue them far as he deems PIT
returning He viii msho the o6;ei7sons possible
well hand and not sacrifice them to supposed sdVsn'
Having accomplished hi. duty Col Devon. VIII return
his present position unless be shall the vfin
ns be held ID:
largely superior ca% SIC T Soa H% ana
Great will DO used By Col Devens to prevent any
injury Of private proPsrty and any officer or
WIZ " CHAs. P. STONE, BrissdierGsnsrsl
Col, Devens commenced crossing his force between
70 and o'clock at night, and about o'clock in the
morning had crossed his FIVE companies. He pro-
ceeded up the bluff and formed his command on the
tbp of the bluff and remained there until it wss light
enough to find bis way Col. Lee also crossed with
about 100 men, and took position upon the blof.
Col Devens sent out scouts TO the right and left
who reported that they could find enemy.
At the first dawn Of light, Col. DeveDs moved his
command out in the direction OF the supposed camp
Upon reaching the point to which the reconnoiternQ
party of the night before had proceeded, II was dis
covered that what had been taken for q camp was o
single row of trees the dim light of the moon shining
between them, below the branches, presenting the
appearance Of a row OF tents.
Col Devens had advanced with bis force TO within
about mile Of Leesburg; he halted his men there
and proceeded 10 examine the country about bis
position far as practicable. be sent word u
Gen. Stone that there had been mistake about the
camp Of the enemy; that he was well posted IN
wood and concealed and waited further orders.
Not far from o'clock In the morning body o.
Rebel rihemen was discovered TO the right Of Col
Devens's position, in the direction of Conrad
Ferry; Capt. Philbrick with his company advanced
toward Them when they fell back until they reached
a ditch, under cover of which they halted anC
opened fire upon our men; they were soon driver
ont Of the ditch into O corn-feld where they OBJ
tanned cover behind some stacks OF corn. Another
COMPANY was ordered by Col. Devens TO the support
of Capt. Pbilbrick; but before they reached hin
some Of the enemy's cavalry made their appearance
from the direction Of Lessburg The two com
panies were then ordered to fall back to the main
body. ..-
About 8o'clock Col. Devens determined to fall
back TO the bluff, where Col. Lee was, which was
done In perfect order He then reconnoitered the
woods to his right and Left and discovering no ap
pearsnce Of the enemy, moved forward to hif
former position.
Between 8 and o'clock the messenger Of Col
Devens returned FROM Gen. Stone with instructions
70 him to remain where he was, and he would be
supported. Col Devens testifes that 10 was either
shen or soon after that he told that Col. Baker
was 70 come over and take commsnd. He sent
word Ito Gen. Stone that he was discovered by the
enemy, but could still hold his old nosition Abont