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CH. VII.]

STONE'S ORDERS AND MOVEMENTS.

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miles in length, unequally dividing the stream between the two shores. Conrad's Ferry was at the upper end of the Island. The river was much swollen by the autumnal rains, having risen, in a few days, some ten or more feet above the fording point.

and completion of the defences of the two hundred yards in width and three loyal states at the earliest moment. The ground taken was, that though the rebel efforts had not succeeded abroad to the extent they desired, yet they were very active; and it was "necessary now, as it has hitherto been, to take every precaution that is possible to avoid the evils of foreign war, to be superinduced upon those of civil commotion, which we are endeavoring to cure."

Gen. Banks, as stated on a previous page (see p. 56), having superseded Gen. Patterson, at the close of July, our troops evacuated Harper's Ferry, and crossed the Potomac again. This course seemed needful in view of the outlying enemy in Virginia. Various skirmishes took place during the summer, generally with marked success on the part of our troops. On the 16th of October, Col. Geary, with about 600 men, who had been seizing upon some 20,000 bushels of wheat a few miles above Harper's Ferry, was attacked by the rebels at Bolivar Heights. The assault was very spirited; but our men, after a few hours' fighting, gained a complete victory.

1961.

Gen. McCall, in accordance with instructions, moved forward, on the 19th of October, and occupied Dranesville, seventeen miles west of Washington, in Fairfax county, Virginia. This being accomplished, Gen. McClellan sent a dispatch to Gen. Stone, informing him of McCall's purposed reconnaissances, in all directions, against the enemy, and adding: "The general desires that you keep a good lookout upon Leesburg, to see if this movement has the effect to drive them away. Perhaps a slight demonstration on your part would have the effect to move them." On receiving this from Gen. McClellan, Stone began at once a movement which resulted, next day, in the disaster at Ball's Bluff. He proceeded, early in the afternoon of the 20th, with Gorman's brigade and some companies of troops, to Edwards' Ferry. He orEarly in October, Gen. McClellan dered Col. Devens, of the 15th Massaordered a reconnaissance to ascertain chusetts, to ferry over his regiment to the enemy's strength on the right, in Harrison's Island, using some flat boats the neigh orhood of the Potomac. from the canal for this purpose. At Gen. Stone, having his headquarters at the same time, he ordered to Conrad's Poolesville, was within easy striking Ferry, Col. Lee's battalion, of the 20th distance of Conrad's and Edwards' Massachusetts, and other regiments Ferries, which, some four miles from from Rhode Island and New York. one another, afforded the means of crossing the Potomac at this part of its course. Intermediate between the two ferries was Harrison's Island, about

Several additional regiments, including Col. Baker's California regiment, numbering in all about 3,000 men, were left as a reserve a few miles in the rear.

wood, and sent for further orders. About seven A.M. on the 21st of October, some riflemen and cavalry appeared on the road to Leesburg; whereupon Devens, about an hour later, fell back towards the bluff, where he was directed by Gen. Stone to remain, with the assurance of being supported. About noon, he was attacked by musketry from the woods and fell back some sixty yards, to obtain a better position; and again, at one o'clock, he retired still nearer the bluff, where soon after reinforcements arrived.

A small body of the enemy appear ing in the direction of Leesburg, Gorman was ordered to deploy his forces in their view, a feint being made of crossing, and shell and shot being discharged from the battery into the place of the enemy's concealment. Three hoat loads, about thirty-five in each, crossed and recrossed the river in trips occupying six or seven minutes. At dusk, Gorman's brigade and the Michigan troops returned to camp. The other forces at Harrison's Island and Conrad's Ferry remained in position. Late in the afternoon, Stone sent to Colonel Baker, who had now reached McClellan a dispatch, in which, beside the Virginia shore, had been roused up what has just been related, he spoke at two o'clock, A.M., and speedily got of his means of transportation at hand. his brigade ready for a march to Con"I have means," he said, "of crossing rad's Ferry. Here, the means of cross125 men once in 10 minutes at each ing to Harrison's Island were anything of two points. River falling slowly." but sufficient, and the means of getting At ten P.M. word was brought to Gen. from the island to the shore across the Stone at Edwards' Ferry, that Captain rapid, swollen current were still worse. Philbrick, of the 13th Massachusetts, A narrow and difficult ascent also led who conducted the reconnoitring party, to the bluff and the field where Col sent out about dark by Col. Devens, Devens and his men now were. Hence, had returned to Harrison's Island, hav- after a most tedious and vexatious pasing been within a mile of Leesburg, sage, it was between one and two and discovered, as he thought, a small o'clock in the afternoon, instead of six encampment of the enemy. Immedia- hours earlier, when Col. Baker reached tely, Stone issued special orders to Col. the scene of action, probably the worst Devens to cross over and surprise the position which could have been contrirebels; Col. Lee was ordered to Har ved for our men, and dangerous in the rison's Island with his force to cover extreme. Colonel Baker took command, Devens's return; and Col. Baker was having, all told, 1,900 men, while the directed to take his California regiment enemy, in large numbers, were posted and be at Conrad's Ferry at sunrise. securely in the thick woods. He had These orders were duly received, and had left to his discretion by Stone, to Col. Devens with 650 men reached the reinforce or withdraw Devens's men: top of the bluff at daylight. On ad- but, as before he arrived the attack had vancing, the rebel camp was found to begun, he concluded to fight, even at have no existence; Lee halted in a so fatal a disadvantage.

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CH. VII.]

DISASTER AT BALL'S BLUFF.

Two hours or more the battle raged with fierce energy on both sides, but with terrible havoc among our men, owing to their uncovered position. Between four and five o'clock, P.M., Col. Baker, whose daring bravery amounted to recklessness, fell, shot through the head, and cheering his men to the last. A scene of disaster followed. Our men rushed down the side of the bluff, and tried to cross in a flat boat, but were shot by the rebels and drowned by the sinking of the boat. Fully one-half of Baker's entire force was lost; while the rebels escaped with a loss of about 200.*

This lamentable affair at Ball's Bluff was criticised every where with severity and indignation, and the question was frequently asked, who is responsible for the gross bungling and blunder ing which exposed our troops to almost certain destruction? Why was a force of less than 2,000 men allowed 1861. to be placed in the perilous position that this was? Why were there only such paltry means of communication as these flat boats; and why, if the movement was necessary, was it not adequately supported, when there were 40,000 of our men only a few miles distant? The subject came up before Congress for inquiry, and efforts were made to ascertain and fix the blame where it properly belonged; but to little purpose, for it has never yet been satisfactorily explained why this

* Col. Baker's death was very generally lamented. The Senate, of which he was a member, devoted a day (Dec. 11th), to the commemoration of his talents and virtues; and Gen. McClellan, Oct. 22d, issued an order, speaking in the highest terms of the gallant deceased. VOL. IV.-13.

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fatal result was not prevented by those in command at the time.*

This second defeat on the soil of Virginia, added to that at Bull Run, in July, was a severe trial to the loyal people of the country; it gave rise to much complaint; but it did not lessen their determination to put down the rebellion. The effect upon the rebels was similar to that produced by Bull Run; their conceit was inflamed, and their confidence in their invincibility magnified to an absurd degree.

1861.

The veteran General Scott, conscious of the infirmities of increasing age, as well as mortified at the disastrous result at Bull Run, begged to be allowed to retire from active service. This was, of course granted, and the highest encomiums were heaped upon him from all quarters. Gen. McClellan, whose popularity was now in the ascendant, and for whom president Lincoln entertained strong personal regard, was made his successor, and on the 1st of November, he assumed the position of general in chief of the armies of the United States. Aware of the weighty duties imposed upon him, McClellan felt, as he says, that "the direction of the campaigns in the West, and of the operations on the seaboard, enabled him to enter upon larger

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* Gen. McClellan repudiated all responsibility in the matter, saying in his report: "I did not direct Stone

to cross, nor did I intend that he should cross the river in force for the purpose of fighting." Early in Janu

ary, 1862, Gen. Stone was severely spoken of in Congress, during debate. A month or so later, he was arrested by order of the war department, on charges of disloyalty, involving, among other things, his conduct at Ball's Bluff. He was sent to Fort Warren, and detained there till late in the summer, when he was released without trial.

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