The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-08

Bluff, October 10, 1861. Gen. Stone. whose
command was In position on tho Potomac
opposite Leesburg, was notified by Gen.
Mcclellan thai McCnll's division of Union
troops would make "a heavy rcconnoisnnce
from Dranesville,'' in the direction OF
Leesburg; looking to the dislodgment Of
tire Confederntes stationed there. Drnnes-
VILE is about twenty miles from Lees
burg. McClellnn's dispatch closed us fol-
lows: perhaps a slight demonstration
on your part would have tho effect to
love them"
A glance ut the map will show tina the
Reconnaissance" and the demonstration
would, il timed together catch the Con
federates between two forces. The move
ment from Dranesville had the desired
effect of attracting Gen. Evans. the Con-
federate commander, to It. He withdrew
his whole force from Gen. Stones front,
to Oppose Mccall, except four companies
OF infantry and three of cavalry; in all
about three hundred men we're left to
confront the demonstration by Gen.
Stone. @
The Dranesville reconnaissance having
expended itself on the goth, Gen. Evans
was able to turn his whole force to the
Potomac crossings; where "the demon
stration" demanded his attention.
The Forces Engaged.
On tho morning Of the 21st he learned
that the enemy's forces were crossing
at two points. Edwards Ferry and Har-
rison island, about four miles apart. His
position would become exceedingly criti-
cal should either of tho two bodies boldly
convert the demonstration into attack.
The two hrigades composing Gen. stones
division were engaged IN the crossing,
ono Mt each point named. The brigade
| Germans, that crossed ut Edwards Ter.
ry, was $3.50 strong; according to the
official reports.
BY the same authority Col. Baker
formed In battle line at Balls Bluff with
the 18th Massachusetts regiment, G53
strong, part of the Goth Massachusetts,
$40, the list Pennsylvania. or 1st Califor-
MIA, GOO, and six companies of the 42nd
New York, three batteries of artillery
and a scouting cavalry squad. The total
was about 2.0N-Gen. Stone places his In
fantry at 1000 or /. 100. Another regiment
the 10th Massachusetts. remained on Har-
rison's island to cover the crossing. Gen.
Stone estimated tho Confederates at 1000,
or at least twice rs many rs the total of
Evans brigade. That was about the usual
exaggcration Of the day. The report,
in detail. Of an officer of the United States
secret service, placed the Confcderatcs at
1880. His report closed as follows: II
have been thus particular on account of
the rumors that there were fifty thousand
men at lIttSDiFS. pleuSe you my ille
this is not So" All this was after the
batt<, when the ''outnumbcred' tlction--
which is presented In the article from
tho Boston paper--was being worked in
army reports, congressional debates. and
tho papers. to reconcile the public to the
disaster. Stated In detail, Gen. Evans
commanded four regiments of infantry,
the Sth Virginia, the 18th 18th and 18th
mississippi, three companies Of cavalry
md n huttorv. Of n rtillorV ...JJn onjrjn1v
reported his total at 1,7G9 men, which
| figures IRE corroboratcd by the report OF
tho Sth Virginia which is placed ut 400.
There were no other Confederates nearer
than Manassas, over thirty miles dis
tant, while Banks division was In dose
touch with Gen. stones. HI
Bakers Pushing Process
Colonel Baker cross the Potomac under
orders sent him verbally, to push the
enemy If you can. as far rs to have n
strong position near Lcesburg. :
Report frequently so that when they are
pushed German can come In on their
flank On getting this order Colonel
after discussing tho movement, asked
for n written order, which was given
him, and read in conclusion, advance or
retire at your discrctlon." This order.
which WAS found on Colonel Bakers body,
Baker rode TO Stones headquarters and,
proved exceedingly fortunate for General
Stone. The Massachusetts regiments had
crossed over and formed limo of battle
whcI~joined by Colonel Baker, The posi-
ton of tho Confederate ut this time had
grown very interesting. ITntil tho push
ing process by Colonel Bakor-who loft
General Stone, az was shown afterwards.
"spolling for n fight" and determined not
to use the "discretlon to rotiro"-begnn to
strain the small force In his front, Gem
oral Evans held his regiments In hand.
equally nssignable to edwards Ferry and
Balls Bluff. About midday he sent tho
Eighth Virginia Infantry to the latter
point. AS tho lighting grew warmer,
after tho arrival of tho virginia regiment,
and the crossing Of Bakor's other regl-
mcnts. the Eighteenth Misslssipnl was
ordered to the same point ut two o'clock.
When It arrived tho 2,No Tcderals were
I confronted by about 1000 Confodorates
An hour later the 18th Mississinni wal
nut IN on the line with the other two
This left the 1sth mississippi and tht
II Confederate artillery only In the way o
the Edwards Ferry force. Upon tho arr
val OF the nth regiment, Gen, Evans or
dered a charge OF his whole line abou
800 strong--which was crowned with com
> plete success and swept the Union troop
over the bluff. The river was not florida
, Bile, but sufficient ba,Ses and slaalle
boats had been supplied for,an ordcrl
crossing. But in the rout no more tina
/, half got over. over roo unwounded wcr
> captured. the remainder killed, browne
y or captured. The Confederate loss 4
y killed and wounded was 15G-the 18th Mis-
sisslppi IS, the Sth Virginia 50. the ut
= Mississippi Z, the 18th Mississippi H.
General Stone a Scapegoat.
e Probably no other. battle Of The wa
Of such minor proportions oGcasioped $