The New York herald., 1863-04-11

ceeded examine the country about bis pos;tiou q
had been mistake about he camp Of tho enemy that
was well posted m ~ni and e'ncesed and waited fur
| ther orders
rebel rifemen discovered the right o. Col Deve
position, ia tho direction Conrais berry Captaia fh
brirk with his company advanced towards them
they foil back they ched "a ditch under cover
which they halted aud opened hre men; they
we're driven Of the ditch into cornhed where
they obtained behind stacks OF coru
company ordered by Colonel Devons support
Captain PhilbrscS but before they reached him
the eneys cavalry ado their appearance from the d
rection OF Ieesburg The two companies were then
dered 10 fall back co the main b. dy.
About eight O'Clock Colonel Dovens determined to ia
back 10 the bluff where Colonel Lee was which was
In perfect order othen reconnored the woods 10
right and left and discovering appearance OF the enc
my, moved forward 10 his former position.
Between eight and nine O'Clock the messenger Of Colonel
Devens returned from General stone with
him TO remain where he and he would be supported
Colonel Devens testiaes that 1t either then or soon
after that he told that Colonel Baker was TO come
that he discovered by the enemy, but could s hold
his position. About O'Clock the messenger returned
with this message-"very well; Colonel Baker will come
and take command"
Colonel Devsns that while waiting further In
structions he directed bis adjutant ascertain the
amount Of the force with him. the report twenty
eight officers and six hundred and twenty five men. lie
sent once or twice to the river to reinforce
mens we're coming. and what he was TO do but he re-
ceved no further order or message.
About twelve or one O'Clock attack was made upon
Colonel Deyens force which lasted some ten fifteen
minutes Receiving no ORDERS or message from the river,
he fell back about sixty yards reformed his line and made
dispositions to retire st further If necessary And
the Dlu where the main action afterwards place
There he met Colonel BAKER, who congratulated hi upon
In relation TO the orders 70 Coel Baker General Stone
testifes-
can give all the early orders Colonel Baker sent
orna TO Conad Perry and have them there al
S 9sas to nwa Ssfs 70 have the
Pe IN readiness to move a. seven o'clock in the morning
o'clock in the mornngI sent cautonary order Colonel
Baker showing that volunteers make too much noise some
loaded guns From that time sent him order.
General Stone testes that between eight and half past
nine O'Clock, when Colonel Baker with him and they
had discussed the whole matter for time gave
him written order TO take the entire command Of the
from General Stone TO Colonel Baker time later,
was found upon his body after he was killed. The two
papers are as follows
RrADaUARrxRs, Cosrs or oas.KvAnoS,l
EpwARps' FERRY Oct 81, 1851
I'm case Of hesEy *, rnS In front Of Marrsons r
brigade retire the reeimens under Coionss Loe and
creon assuming arrival Very respectfully,
Colonel your most ooedien' sefyanti C ps sroxr
Brgadier General Commanding.
Col. e D. BAKER. Commanding Brigade
HEADQUARTERS. CoRrs or 0nsERvATIoN.(
EowAn1s E.sny .S,t ocSssr e. s lssiso
about 400 all told Ii you can push them you may d. so
have strong position Lecsburg II you
Ss
good that Their
Ssw Ss
sss @
respectfully ana "u's Br,s.a,e, ;!.eers Commsnsins
Colonel E. d BAKER Commanding Brigade
Colonel Baker proceeded to Harrison's Island and
finally concluded TO send troops renfoi Colonel
Devens and Colonel Lee One OF the witnesses states that
Colonel Baker in doubt for time whether to recall
hearing some the Virginia shore call out that they
needed assistance the enemy coming he deter.
Virginia side and assumed command. Colonel Baker d.
reced the forces TO ut the point where Colonel De
and Colonel Lee had crossed with their forces.
The means OF transporting troops at Balls Bluff was
csedngy limited Between the Maryland shore anu Har-
risons Island only hree fatboats scows all toge
ther capable CT crossing about l25 mon On the
Virginia side OF the island there rst only Fran.
metallic leboat and two small skim, together capable
Of carrying from o. 70 30 men at time After time one
Of the scows fatboats was taken from the Maryland
70 the Virginia side ~ the island
The landing the Virginia side At the foot very
the sop wound ss way and On The top the Su was.
cleared space or he 0ordeed BY woods which anorded
cover TO the enemy until within short distance or
Colonel Baker according to tho testimony, arrived on
the field between one and two O'Clock and proceeded at
form line OF battle upon the held at the top Of
bluff The amount Of the force engaged upon side
was between 100 and 800 consisting Of about
half Of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, regiment, under
Colonel Devens; portion (Sl7 men OF the Twentieth
Massachusetts,, under Colonel Leo the Tammany regiment
under Colonel Cogswe and the California regiment under
Lieutenant Colonel wistar The snemy's forces we're
about lour snousand men:
ING enemy x vos. H. ~ .,s,r ,hr - =, t 49, ,s o.
oetween two anu tneo oC'Vc. os"cIs ., & scs .
o. nrst neavily, on tne ren. our ns' .lsn movine
siong towaLus ns cou're anu 'o'' "''o T'e ""ue''
Your COMMITTEES do not necessary 70 70 into the
details Of the action 1t continued for hours,
nsr,or nnmbers Conol Baker fell between four and ay
po,.o IS 49, ,an., oors,.nor. snr ~. h."av Nv
s l,"ss asr,n~ Nban he es,, ths i,ns r.ssy
- aor .nd come nortions oS csvs w,v bsfors ths
| destructive fire Of the enemy.
After the death Of Colonel Baker the command devovcd
| unon Colonel Cogswell of the Tammany regiment who
ps epo So ~. s,s.r, - 90, ,hrs,nh 20 ia ssa.Ss, -.
proposea 70 ;ns ,n o,nsr rss,,sn,a,
whicn was bssenteo 10 oy Tue other resmeutai comno
ers. Upon attempting a movement IN that direc.
| coming from below which opened a inost destruc
,i,,a Grs nrop them Cur troors save wav and
wv W. 49,. 49, 49, ,,,G ,o.arJ. -'' n,
a. about dmsk so thar our troops were somewhat con
bv the bushes ON the side Of the blur The ene,
Continued 10 Are upon them from the tor of the bu Tn,
men to escape 70 the isapd in the boats and
swimming being exposed all the time to the rc of hs
ensmv The aatboat was soon rlddled and sunk the life
Sa.s Jo,,n ara ,a