Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-01-30
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
FOOLISH BRAVERY.


Stone, in Poolesville, Md, just this side
OF the Potomac river, the opposite shore
being known as Balls bluff, when an
orderly announced Senator Baker"
Stone was an inveterate cigarette
smoker. Before noticing the orderly he
lighted cigarette, which he held
daintily in his yellow stained fingers,
and then with quiet irony, which was
characteristic of him said, half to him
self and half to the group:
II wonder II he comes as senator or
officer. Ask the gentleman to walk in"
Senator Baker, in full colonel's tog-
gerry, entered with his bluff, hearty
manner, and, after partaking of the
barleycornic refreshments, opened fire
at once.
General" said he, ''the public
demand fight It is better
that we should fight and be whipped
than sit idle here, the target of univer-
sal criticism"
Now, bear in mind that Stone was in
command of the division and Baker was
in command of regiment, his charge
being subsequently enlarged to a brig
ade- Such talk from senator was all
very we'll, but from subordinate Off
Ger. unasked, was not only intrusive
and impertinent but traversing of all
official etiquette. Nobody understood
this less than Baker; no one more keen
ly appreciated it than Stone.
After some considerable talk in this
strain Stone looked up and said very
quietly:
where are you quartered, colonel?"
Baker seemed taken aback but an
swered him, whereupon Stone motion
ed once more to the jug (Which motion
was regarded and accepted as an invi-
tation). rose, thereby intimating de-
sire to terminate the interview, and
further said:
81 shall communicate with you to-
morrow morning on a matter of some
importance and trust you will be re-
freshed and ready to give us your CO.
operation"
Baker bowed himself out, went to
the little house where he was stopping
and two days after was ordered across
the river. The battle of Balls Bluff
has never been thoroughly, has never
been clearly told to the lay mind.
Don't be alarmed. don't intend to
tell you anything about it, although /
was there and saw it
But, in the first place, imagine river
with bluffs on the other side: small
plateau this side of the bluffs fringes
the river woods thick and apparently
impenetrable flank either side of the
approach to the bluffs The union
troops crossed the river. All was quiet
They formed on the plateau; silence re-
quired, the order was given to proceed
when cannon belched from the bluff
Cross.fire from each sides swept across
the line of march.
Murderously assaulted and thrown
into terrible confusion the troops
reeled, faltered. rushed in confusion
toward the river bank. There, by he
roic effort on the part of Baker and sew
era! of Gen. Stones staff, they were to
certain extent reformed on the little
plateau, which, like the entire distance
to the heights beyond, was but twenty
five feet wide. Below it, some thirty
feet down to the river, was muddy,
sloppy waste OF slush, made almost wa
terry by the passage of the troops with
their artillery from the boats
Col nov Judge) Devens of the Fif-
teesth Massachusetts,, well remembers.
l doubt not the dress parade of the
night preceding in sharp contrast with
the unhappy parade of the succeeding
night, the flower of his command gone,
flags battered, disheartenment, trouble
plainly written in lines full of mean
ing on every face.
Lie down. Baker, for heavens sake
lie down! Why expose yourself need.
lessly?" called out one of Bakers near.
est friends.
Drawing himself to his full height,
Baker replied:
when you are United States sena.
tor you will understand why don't lie
down"
For all that his bravery was not war
his courage amounted to nothing. A
swift-winged messenger from rebel
rifle pierced his heart and he fell upon
the field covered with glory, to be sure
loved by his men, doubtless, but of nc
earthly use to one or the other, for in
the brief space of an hour or so there.
after his spirit fed and naught was left
but his remains"
i wonder if the truth will ever be
told about that fight
Poor Stone was hauled over the Goals
Mcclellan going so far even as to write
in October, Immediately after the de
feat:
my dispatch did not contemplate
the making of an attack upon the en-
emy or a crossing of the river in force
by any portion of Gen. Stones com
mand." Whereas Asst. Adjt. Gen. Al
Colburn sent to Gen. Stone in Pools
vile an order, part of which says
Gen. Mcclellan desires that you keeI
good lookout upon Leesburg to see il
this movement has the effect to drive
them away. Perhaps a slight demon
stration on your part would have the
effect to move them"
Well, now, as it was, Stones force
sent across with Baker and Deven'
amounted to but seventeen hundred
men, and it was impossible to keep {