The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-22

OF Mcdowell at Bull Kun, fcVlVeu ~ ~
tcnsity tlrcc months later. Gcncral !. NC
Clelland, who appreciated tho MAGNITUDE l.ie
of the undertaking more clearly than the
poitca generals who were goading him
to aggressive operations, had wisely
utilized the interval TO discipline ana
mobilize the Northern hosts, which ma
rallied to tho Union Standard, Into that
Formidable organization which became
famous as tho Army Of the Potomac,
and ho was now making preliminary re-
"reminiscences with the view to a COM
l,ned movement upon tho Confederate
position near Manassas.
The main body Of his army was IN the
dcfcnses OF Washington, south OF tho
Potomac, and large Federal forces und cer
Banks Hamilton and Stone were located
in Maryland, opposite the county %
1.oudoun, within easy march Oh the 1oros
and ferries OF the Upper Potomac, which
led to roads running to Leesburg IL
Will thus be seen that Lcesburg was
point of prime strategic Importance,
the possession of which would make Nc
Clellnn, by menacing or passing john
ston's left flank to Vancouver him out
of his position. and this evidently was
his aim.
Apart from the necessity Of guarding
his flank and watching the ferries, the
Confederate commander realized the Inn
portance of keeping open the turnpike
leading from Leesburg across the Blue
Ridge to the lower Shenandoah Valley
where jackson was operating and saving
for~his army the abundant supplies OF the
fertile Piedmont counties.
THE SEVENTH BRIGADE.
TO compass these ends, Colonel IIunton
had been ordered early in August tore
occupy Lecsburg with the Eighth V1r-
ginia Regiment and later on three Mis-
sissippi regiments--the Thirteenth, sew
enteenth and Eighteenth--under Colone!s
Barksdale, Fcathcrstonc and Burt, with
six guns Of tho Richmond 1Iowtzers and
three companies OF Virginia cavalry,
under yl4ieutenant-C Colonel Jenfcr, were
sent TO the same place, and organized as
the Seventh Brigade of &I3eauregard.
Corps. under command of Colonel y. G.
Evans, of South Carolina, who had won
great distinction at The frs. battle of
Manassas, and for which he was after
wards made q brlgadier-Eenera
Evans thought I.eesburg was too much
exposed and too far away for timely re-
enforcement In case OF attack by largely
supcrior force and had withdrawn his
command to q strong position at Carters
Mill seven miles nearer Manassas. Upon
reporting this fact, General Benuregard
wrote at once, asking the reason for his
! withdrawal, adding that the position ne
| had occupied was understood TO be very
| strong and the General hopes YOU will
Id ,nblc to maintain 1t against odds
should the enemy press across the river
| nd move in this direction. To prevent
such n movement and junction of l3anks's
forces with McClelan's Is of the utmost
military Importance, and you VIII DC eX-
pectcd to make desperate stand, falling
back only In tho face OF an overwhelming
enemy"
At midnight Of the 10th, Evans moved
his brigade back to Burnt Bridge, along
tho line OF Goose Creek, where he had a
line Of intrcnchments, and there awaited
entertainments. His situation was now
critical and called for the same fine
military foresight he had shown at first
! Manassas. where he disconnected Nc
Dowcll's imposing fcint ut Stone bridge
| and met his main advance by way OF
| Sudley Springs, some two miles beyond
| the Confederate flank.
On the morning of the GOTH Mcclellan
telegraphcd TO Stone, at Polcsville. Md,
| that general Mccall occupied Drane-
| vile yesterday and is still there. VIII
send out heavy reconnolsanccs to-day in
| all directiphs from that point, The Cen
! cral desires that you keep q good look
! out ,lpon Lccsburg to see If this move
mcnt drives them away. Perhaps slight
demonstration on your part would have
| the effect to move them"
THE BATTLE CAMI2.
| This ORDER although not so intended
brought on the battle of Balls Bluff.
When armies are on the nu vive for 4
| fight. slight ana unforeseen causes often
bring it on 1t was Pettgrew's march
In search of shoes, and his collision with
Burord's cavalry. that prcclpitated the
battle OF Gettysburg, and defeated Lee, $
plan of concentration at Cnshtown. SO
stones demonstration at Balls Blur
deranged McClcllan's plan for general
advance OF his army.
| On the night of the goth, Stone sent out
n scouting party to cross ut Harrison s
Island and explore the country in the
| direction OF Leesburg. Returning with
tho report that rebel camp OF about
thirty tents was found In tho edge OF a
woods near the town, Stone directed
Colonel Dovens, with four companies OF
his regimcnt-thc Fifteenth Massachu-
sctts--to destroy the camp, reconnoitre,
ana either TO recross the river or remain
II lie thought he could safely do so.
Devcns decided to hold on, and sent
back 10 his brigade commander Colonel
Baker, for rcnforcemcnts, The latter
consulted Stone his division commentary
ana was given permission either to with
draw Devens or send him achievements
Eager to add the lRurels of Il hero to his
fame ms senatorial orator Baker
: | promptly apaicd himself of the dscre-
!, ton allowed him, and sent word to
Devcns that lie would comt In person
: With his historic brigade to his support
G and this he did as rapidly as the boats
: at his disposal would permit,
The ''rehel camp was In Illusion, the
y scouts having been deceived by lie
$ Of trees, which presented, in an uncN'.
: tain light, sofowhat the appearance o,
= tents. But about o'clock in the morning
: Of the 2lsl, Colonel DeyenS encountered
: n very real and Very insuperable oh.
I stacle IN the person Of Captain Duff, witt
y forty men OF the Seventeenth Mississippi
y who had been pcketing the river nea,
i Smart's Mill n short distance above thu
O Bluff. Deyens undertook their capture
r by attacking With Philbricl's company
n In front, and sending his other companies
). around their TANKS. The net was spread
}, IN vain IN slight of such bird as Duff
>, Retiring a few hundred yards to a bette