Year: 1862

hotly engaged with the enemy their strong position
the woods Watching carefully the action, saw the
enemy were constantly being reinforced and at halt past
two O'Clock N. ordered Colonel Bur 10 march his regl
mentthe Eighteenth Mssissippi-and attack the left
flank Of the enemy while Colones Hunton and Jenifer
attacked him IN front On arriving at his position Colo
nel Burt was received with tremendous fire from the
enemy, concealed in a ravine, and was compelled to
divide his regment TO stop the ank movement OF the
enemy.


At this tme-about three o'clock-nnding the enemy
large force Iordered Fsathsrston with his
regment-the seventeenth Mississippi-to repair, at
double quick to the support Of Colonel Burt where he
arrived in twenty minutes, and tho action became
genera! along my whole line, and was very hot and brisk
for than two hours the enemy keeping up q con-
slant fire with his batteries both sides OF the river
At about six O'Clock T. NJ saw that my command had
driven the enemy the banks OF the Potomac or
dered my entire force to charge and drive him into the
river. The charge Immediately made by the whole
command and the forces OF the enemy completely
routed, and cried out for quarters along his whole line
In this charge the enemy were driven back at the
point OF the bayonet and many killed by this formidable
weapon In the precpate retreat OF the enemy ON tho
blus Of the river many Of his troops rushed into the
water and drowned while many others. in over
loading the boats sunk them and shared the same fate
The now-abOut seven o'cl0ck-became complete,
and the enemy commenced throwing his arms into the
river.


During this action held Colonel VIM Barksdale with
nine companies OF his regiment, the Thirteenth Mssis
spp and six pieces OF artillery as reserve, as well as
to keep up demonstration against the force Of the
enemy at Edward Ferry.


AT eight clock p M the enemy surrendered his forces
at Balls Bluff and the prisoners marched to Lees
burg.


then ordered my brigade with tho exception OF the
Thirteenth regiment Mississippi who remained in front
of Edwards Ferry, retire to the town of Leesburg
and rest for the night.


On Tues lay morning was informed by Colonel Barks
dale that the enemy Still in considerable force at
Edward Ferry. directed him to make thorough re-
connossance Of the position and strength Of the enemy
and attack him. At two O'Clock p. M. he galantly at
tackled much superior force in their ntrenchments,
driving them to the bank OF the river killing thirty or
forty and wOunding considerable number.


About sundown, the enemy being strongly reinforced
and stationed in rifle pits Colonel BaTksdae wisely re
tired with his regiment to Fort Evans leaving guard
Of two companies watch the OF the enemy,
who evidently expecting renewed attack retired dur
ing tho night and recrossed the river at Edwards
Ferry


On Wednesday morning, finding my brigade very
much exhausted, left Colonel Barksdae with his regi
ment with pieces OF artillery and cavalry force
grand guard, and ordered the othe three regiments
fall back towards Carters MILL TO rest and be collect
cd in order. Colonel Hunton with his regiment and
pieces OF artillery, were halted strong position
the south bank Of the Sycoi about three miles south
Of Leesburg.


/ would here state that in an interview on Monday
night with the commissioned officers OF the Federal ar
taken prisoners, am convinced that they expected
be recaputed either during the night or the next day.
and captu officers refused their parole not to
take up against the Southern confederacy until du
ly exchanged i ordered the whole number to be imme
datcy marched to Manassas. This parole was only OF
fered give them the liberty OF the town. as did not
wish to confne them with the prvates.


In the engagement the 2st OF October, which lasted
nearly thirteen hours loss from force Of seventeen
hundred and nine, aggregate, was as folows:-


d.. DU I,I.,. .f,nnS Tad