The National tribune., 1881-12-31
BATTLE OF BALLS BLUFF.
THE STORY AS TOLD BY GEN. RosEcRANs.


While the San Francisco debris committee
was making their tour Of investigation last
October the writer of this accompanied them
through the mountain parts of their trip. While
at Grass Valley, in cOnversing with General
Rosecrans about the battle eff Balls Bluff and
the death of Colonel Baker, he said: 1t is a
fact that bottle of whisky was the real cause
of Colonel Bakers death" As General Rose
cranss narration differs materially from any
account heretofore published, l have deemed it
of sufficient interest to give it to the public.
About thirty miles above Washington, on the
Virginia side, is the town of Leesburg, which
at the commencement of the rebellion con-
tanned about 1000 inhabitants. The rebels were
In force at this place and at other points along
the western bank of the Potomac River. The
Union troops were scattered and in different
encampments along the eastern bank on the
Maryland side. few miles above Leesburg is
Hsrrison'S Island, narrow piece of land about
five miles long, the river dividing and part rum
ming on either side of it. At the upper end
of this island is Conrad's Ferry, and about six
miles below is Edwardss Ferry. Opposite this
island on the Virginia side is Balls Bluff.
Back of this bluff and in the timber some of
the confederate troops were encamped. 1t is not
known just how many of the rebel army were
in this camp at the time of the battle, but their
number was greater than those of the Union
forces engaged. Colonel Devens was in COM
mand at Harrison's Island with several COM
panies af Massachusetts volunteers. Colonel
Bake. was encamped few miles in the rear of
Itc %ha TaJ, Lo+k
$50 men; Baxter's Fire Zouaves 900; Owens's
Pennsylvania regiment, 700; Morehead's Penn
sylvania regiment, 500, and Harrison's cavalry
14O men-in all 1920. 1t having been deter
mined to move on the enemy, General Stone
being ia command of part of what is known as
Banks division ON the eastern shore, nearly op-
posite Leesburg, received orders to make a
demonstration on General Lees lines opposite
his position, over the Potomac on Goose creek
to favor the crossing Of the Pennsylvania Re-
serves, under General Mccall, to strike the
enemy's left. He at the same time was ordered
to make a demonstration in favor of General
Mccall when he deemed it necessary, Colonel
Devens, in command at Harrison's Island, was
ordered to send few troops across the river to
reconnoitre and to hold the remainder in readi-
ness to cross at moments notice.
For some reason the order for McCall's crossing
was countermanded, but Gen. Stone had received
no notice of it, and continued grouping his forces
at Edwards Ferry, at the lower end of the island
The small force which had crossed from Colonel
Devenss command at the upper ferry advanced
TO near Leesburg just in the dusk of the evening
OF the Goth. In their reconnoitre they thought
they had discovered a rebel camp of 80 tents but
were deceived, as they mistook openings in the
timber for tents. However, they returned to
Gen. Stones camp and told him the story of the
supposed 30 tents, and the general at once re-
solved to take this rebel camp by dashinp as
sault. 1t was now late in the evening, but he
ordered Col. Devens to at once cross the river at
tack and destroy the camp, and fall back to the
bluff. Colonel Baker was reused from his tent at
2 o'clock in the morning by an order from Gen
Stone TO have his California battalion at the ferry
at sunrise, and to prepare the remainder to follow
after an early breakfast. He had the Californi-
ans on the march iii less than two hours and at
o'clock the remainder of the brigade followed.
It was about three miles march to the ferry,
which Col. Baker reached just at the break of
day. When he arrived there he found Colonel
Devens still ferrying his men across. After he
had crossed all his men Col. Devens stationed
about 100 too guard the ferry, and with the bal
anoe advanced to find the enemy. Gen. Stone
had given orders that Col Baker should cross his
forces at once if he heard firing, and advance to
the assistance of Col Devens.
Inc only way there was to cross was by one
oiu lerryooat which would carry no more than
Horty men at trip, and required more than
hai1 an hour to Cross and return At about
IL O'Clock rapid firing was heard in the direc-
ton colonel Devens had taken. 1t was seen
at once that the troops could not be crossed
by this Terry IN time to be of service; at the
same time they were impatient and eager to
meet the enemy. Just above the ferry, in the