The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-03-21


tunity 10 come in contact with the enemy. \
fight on any terms was far preferable, IN the
minds Of a majority Of McClellan's forces, to
this waiting, watching. delaying course.
According to McClellan's report, the soldiers
COMPRISING the Army Of the Potomac on Oct
Is, 1861, consisted of I52,06I men, including
the sick and absent OF this the division of
Gen Charles p. Stone extended from Edwards
Ferry distant about 80 miles from Washington,
20 Conrad's Ferry, some six or seven miles
farther up the river.
On the 18th Of October, Gen. Mccall, stationed
at Langley made a movement in the direction
Of Leesburg the COuntyseat OF Loudoun
County, Va, which was directly in front of
Gen. Stones position, and occupied Dranes-
VILE a small town some distance from the
COuntysc3t. He sent scouts out toward Lees
burg, but they found 10 enemy, and from the
report Of the people he came to the conclusion
the rebels had left that place. This was re-
ported TO Gen Mcclellan, hut he, on the 18th,
received positive information from Francis L.
Buxton of the L. s. Secret Service, that there
were Il 600 rebel troops still in Leesburg. On
the Goth Mcclellan received the following
dispatch from Gen. Bankss headquarters:
DAKxEsrowx, Oct. %. 1851.
SIR: The signal station Sugar Loaf telegTaphs
that the enemy have moved from Leesburg. All
quiet here. X. NJ. COPELAND,
Gen. MARCY. A. A. A. G.
Upon receiving this message Mcclellan sent
a dispatch to Gen Stone, telling him that
Mccall had occupied GAINESVILLE. and to watch
Lecsburg closely, for perhaps the rebels would
desert ii. His closing sentence ran: Perhaps
q sli light demonstration on your part would have
the effect TO move them" Gen. Mcclellan had
no intention Of allowing Stone TO cross 70 the
Virginia side in force, but that commander
impatient for fight, made a great deal larger
demonstration than Mcclellan wished.
Gen Stone ordered Col Devens, of the 18th
Mass, to take two fatboats from the Chesa-
peake & Ohio Canal, and ferry his force over to
Harrison's Island small island situated half
way between Edwards and Conrads Ferries
upon which the hospitals were placed. When
this was accomplished Col. Devens, in obedi-
euce to verbal order. sent Capt. Philbriek with
20 men 10 the Virginia shore TO rec0nnoiter.
They assembled Balls Bluff, here 80 high TO
the level Of the country, and pushed on TO
within a mile Of LeeshuTg; returning, they
found rebel camp which was not guarded.
IN the meantime Gen. Stone had ferried
three boat loads Of troops back and forward at
Edwards Ferry to deceive the enemy: some
men were landed and formed within sight of
the rebels He reported his proceeding to Gen.
Mcclellan, who, supposing he only meant
reconnaissance, ordered Mccall TO retire from
DranesEile TO Langley, his former position.
After receiving the report Of the exploring
party Gen Stone issued an order TO the effect
that Col. Devens should land opposite Harri-
sons Island with five companies Of his regi-
meat. and advance on the camp Of the enemy
with silence and dispatch; if possible, surprise
them, roHt them. and pursue them as far as
prudence allowed; destroy the camp. make all
the observations possible. aud return to his
former position unless he should see one on
that side which he could bold against largely
superior numbers until reinforced. Stone also
ordered Col Lee, Of the Goth Mass. TO occupy
HarrisOn's Island with four companies of his
by taking boat across the island throw one
company across the channel to the nights on
the Virginia shore 10 cover his retreat, and
take two mountain howitzers across the island
10 the point Of his departure.
A short time after midnight Col. Devens
crossed his troops, Icing closely followed by
Lee. according to orders. He formed his men
on the top of Balls Bluff on the morning of
Oct. p as soon as il was light enough to see,
aud. his scouts reporting no enemy towards
Icesburg. he advanced and found the supposed
camp discovered by Capt. Philbrick was really
an optical illusion produced by moonlight
glimmering through row Of trees. Devens
marched about mile from the river, halted
his troops in a wood near Leesburg and sent
messenger back to Gen. Stone reporting his
movements and asking orders. At about $50
a. m a company Of rebel rifemen were seen to
the right upon the road 10 Conrad's Ferry.
Cant. PhiibTick, with Co. II, was sent out TO
engage Nntil, anu IOck Win 20 a
70 intercept their retreat. The rebels fell back
g short distance, then made stand, aud were
attacked by Capt. Philbrick. For a few mo-
ments the contest ragged hOtly, but some rebel
cavalry being seen on the left, the two COM
panies were directed 10 return TO the woods,
which they did IN good order The loss was
one killed, nine wounded, and two missing
these latter were probably wounded and crawled
into the bushes bat they could not be found
His messenger not having returned, Col.
DeveDs retired &c join Lee, was there reinforced
By the rest Of his regiment under Lieut.-Co
Ward, and soon returned TO the former place
where he received orders from Gen. Stone to
hold his position and he would be reinforced.
About 1870 a spirited attack was made upon
his left by the rebel cavalry, dismounted, and
as no support had yet arrived he retired his
regiment about sixty PAGES into an open space
IN the wood, better position, and awaited an
attack. He drew in his skirmish5rs. and re-
turned to the bluff at 2:l5 p. m, where he
found that Col. Baker, with his brigade had
arrived and taken command.
Col. Z. d. Baker, noble and daring officer
was about 50 years old, was U. S. Senator from
Oregon. had served through the Mexican wal
rs q Colonel, and at the outbreak of the rebel
lion was among the many who offered their
services 10 the Union and who gave their live.
70 preserve It. At this time he commanded /
brigade of Gen. Stones Division On thu
morning Of the 2lst, in an interview Will
Stone, he was informed Of the movement on tn,
right and was ordered TO proceed TO Harrison'
Island, there to reinforce Devens on the Vir
GINA shore or TO withdraw him and Col. lie
20 the island, at his own discretion. Glad 0
this opportunity for an engagement. Bake
hastened to the island, and. hearing the frini
In front Of Col. Devens, decided TO reinforc
him, not surprising the enemy were in sucl
force as was soon afterwards ascertained.
lie Immediately assumed command, and &C
cording 10 Gen. Stone, proceeded 10 make sew
erai more or less costly mistakes. Although b
took command at about noon, Col Devens wa
not informed Of il till 2:I5 p. N. He failed {
form any system in regard to the transporta
tion Of troops; appointed no officer TO supervis
and effect the crossing Of the river: and thi
part Of the proceeding was so badly manages
that afterWard had any officer been found VIII
was responsible therefor he would have bee
severely punished.
In regard TO the first charge It would hay
made little difference to Col. Devens whethe
he was informed Of Bakers presence at u or.
o'clock, and this very slight breach of mlitar
law was very immaterial. As to the crossin
OF troops, that was certainly fearful blunde
IN someone-Col. Baker likely; and the awfu
consequences partly resulting from it served as
warning TO all other officers during the wal
Each regiment as it came was obliged to forr
Its own boat crew, and the crossing Of the rive
was so slow and tedious that not more than On
half the troops succeeded IN getting owe