The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-20
THE BATTLE OF
BALL S BLUFF
Anniversary CT One of The Most
sanguinary Conflicts Of the
Confederate War.

Especial pispatch to The Timcs.)

LEESRURG. VA, oct. l9-Moaday, oc-
tober 21st is the anniversary of the battle
of Balls Bluff, the third serious engage
ment of the Civil War, ana perhaps the
most sanguinaTy of The whole sad MS
tory, considering the numbers engaged.
The military situation ina The fail Of q.
was as fellows: -AhoUt twelve miles soulA
OF Washington Were Mcclellan and Joe
Johnston facing each othsr, while in the
lower valley were n i. Banks and Stone
wall Jackson. Between these two armies
lay the fertile region 81 .caaoun, with
the old town of l-eesburg Is its metropo-
lis. To hold this section from The I'edc-
rails. and utilize its vast resources and
supplies General Johnston had dispatch
ed Brigsdier-Gencral n. G. Evans. with
four regiments and Il battery 10 garrison
Leesburc. and vigorously repel all efforts
TO cross the Potomac. General Stone who
had been detached from Banks division
in the lower valley. commanded Il corps of
observation al this ppiut. patrnling the
Potomac from the Chain Bridge TO Iia~-
per's Ferry. Ills rorces numbered about
1000. Along the south bank OF the river
General Evans held q similar position
with 1900 volunteers.
The Confederatcs had advanced within
sight Of the capital and in order to check
further march. the Federal cermanfer
determined to occupy Leesbucg. General
Evans. however. in some way received
Intelligence of the plan. and his tro9ns-
which had been scattered for the sum
mer, Were quickly reassemblsd at Hforl.en
Park. the palatial mansion OF Hon. TlloS
Swami one, mile north of Leesbnrs
Here SAYS a local historian amid
turfy lawns, blooming flower beds foun-
fains. statua1y and tame deer the sol
diers lounged for a day. flirting with tiis-
city bellies picniclling in the shade with
wel-filled baskets from home enjoying
the martial
3ng. all unconscious of wat a DAY might
bring forth Yet continues tho same
narrator, - Vigorous observer might haze
detected a decided odor of saltpetre in
tho air
Saturday passed and Sunday dawned
only to have its peace and quiet broken
by the Gathering hoofs Of a courier. who
announced that the enemy had already
reached Drainsv;lIc en- rolIte for ;l=t.s-
burg, with a force numbering anlwhar-a
from one to twenty thousand. There was
mounting in. hot haste in The streets of
the old red-brick towa, tilt;ndering roll
call and then the hustle and confusion
Of departure BY sunrise the troops We're
already on the march to meet Mccall.
General Stone casting a searching glance
with his field glass from MARYLAND
Heights. descrieda long line of tronps
and wagons fling down the turnpike .tl.d
issued the following order afterwards
taken from the person OF a slain Fedora
officer OF The Bloody Gilt OF Bats Bluff:
Colonel Tevens viii land opposite Har-
rdsons Island With four companies OF his
regiment and proceed 10 surprise the
camp of the enemy discovered by Caotain
Fhiibrock in the direction of L.eeeburg
The landing and march Will be effected
with silence and rapidits. Colonel Lee
will Immediately after Colonel Devens' de-
psIture. occupy llarrtsoll's Island with
four companies of his regiment and Will
cause TIE Tour-oared boat 70 be taken
across The island to the point OF depart
IRE OF Colonel Devens. one com p2ay
will be thrown across 70 occufx tie
heights in Virginia after Colonel Devens
departure to cover his retreat
Colonel Devens Will attack the camp
OF tho enemy at daybreals and having
routed. will pursue than as far as lie
deems prudent and Will destroy the cainp
II practicabie before returning. lie w;ll
make all the observations possible of tie
country, viii under All circumstances keep
his command well in hand, and not sac-
Iifce this 10 any supposed advantages OF
,sDid t,tIyer1ff