The National tribune., 1881-12-31

canal they found two old boats, or scows, which
they at once brought to the river and put In
position, when the crossing went on more rapidly.
By this means Colonel Baker crossed about 7oO
of his men and advanced to the second stream,
where the same trouble awaited him, there
being but one ferrybOat to cross III there. HOW
ever, the crossing was continued as rapioly DIS
possible; but it was placing them IN terrible
position, for if they should meet with defeat
there was no means Of retreat except this one
small ferry, and before they could recross they
would be doomed to slaughter. AS soon as Col.
Baker had got two companies over the stream
he took them and advanced to the assistance
of Colonel Devens whom he found with few
companies of the Fifteenth and Twentieth Mas
sachusetts regiments on an open plain, with
timber Just beyond, which was filled with the
enemy, who were dealing death-blows to our
men from every tree. The Union troops were
greatly outnumbered, but there was no alterna-
tive for them but to fight, which they did In
the most desperate manner. Colonel Baker took
the lead in command and at the head of the
ranks encouraged the men by his bravery, and
the fight soon became general. For the pur-
pose of driving the rebels from their position
in the timber a charge was ordered, and with
fixed bayonets our men advanced, driving back
the first lines of the enemy; but they soon
rallied and charged on our lines with great
force and the conflict soon became hand-to-
hand struggle While thus engaged a tall, red
haired rebel advanced suddenly from the smoke
to within a few feet of Colonel Baker, and with
a self-cocking revolver fired five or six bullets
into his body; at the same time musket-ball
struck him back of the ear, and he fell dead
almost at the feet of his slayer.
Captain Beirel, who was Colonel Baker
when he fell, sprang forward, and with pistol in
hand placed it to the rebels head and laid him
dead beside the heroic warrior. Seeing they were
greatly outnumbered and no hope of victory,
with their leader dead, the brave little band OF
Union heroes began to fall back, but fought
bravely, contesting every inch of ground as they
retreated carrying off the body of their brave
leader. Many were killed and others drowned
in their endeavor to the stream, and thus,
through an error, another disaster to the Union
forces was caused, and deep gloom again settled
over the loyal North. 1t appears that there was
more than one blunder committed in this move
ment ON the part of the Union forces, for it was
clearly an oversight in not notifying General
Stone of countermanding the order for the cross
ing of General McCalls forces, for if he had
| known it he would have proceeded very differ
emily in the reconnoitre and subsequent orders.
Then the action of the advance, sent out to make
the reconnoitre in not fully informing themselves
as to the supposed thirty tents of the rebel en-
campment was most stupid, and caused hasty
crossing of a few forces, with no support on that
side. However, the disaster would not have oc-
Cured had there not been neglect of orders on
the rebel side also. 1t appears that General Lee
was informed Of the order given for General Nc
Call to cross and attack his forces and he accord
ingly ordered General Evans brigade, which was
on his extreme left, at Goose creek, to withdraw
| and change his position. General Evans was
man who, at times, drank liquor to excess, and
on the morning of the receipt of his orders to
| change his position had received a bottle of
whisky, of which he drank too much for the
good of our cause; as it was, under the stimulus
of the whisky he resolved to have fight before
he left. Accordingly he postponed compliance
with his orders and marched from his position
and attacked our little band of Union heroes as
above stated In this conflict thus rashly
brought on that good man, statesman, patriot,
and soldier, Colonel Baker fell, the untimey VIC
tim of Evanss bottle of whisky.-.San Francisco
| Chronicle.