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of my regiment from Point of Rocks, two of which he ordered to report to Major Gould, at Sandy Hook, and soon joined me with the others on the field. The standard of the 28th regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers-the flag of the Union -was then unfurled on the soil of Virginia, and planted on an eminence of Bolivar Heights, and under its folds we directed the fire of our artillery against the batteries and forces on Loudon Heights, and soon succeeded in silencing every gun and driving away every rebel that could be seen.

"The victory was complete. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is generally conceded to be about one hundred and fifty, which they carried back in wagons and on horses as rapidly as they fell. We took four prisoners, among whom is Rev. Nathaniel Green North, chaplain of Colonel Ashby's command. He is said to have been present at every battle that has occurred in Virginia. The fine thirty-two-pounder columbiad, mounted on an old-fashioned gun-carriage, was captured, together with a quantity of ammunition for it, consisting of ball, shell, and grapeshot, for the transportation of which a wagon was used as a caisson. These were immediately transferred to the north side of the Potomac, and the gun is placed in position against its late proprietors. One of their small guns used at Bolivar Heights was disabled, having one of the wheels shot from the gun-carriage by a well-directed shot from Lieutenant Martin. They succeeded in dragging it from the field. Our loss is four killed, seven wounded, and two taken prisoners, a list of whom is hereto attached. The greater part of the loss occurred in the Wisconsin companies, who gallantly sustained the position of our left flank throughout the contest. One of the soldiers taken by the enemy was Corporal, 3d Wisconsin regiment, who was wounded in the action. The other Corporal, Benaiah Pratt, of Company A, 28th regiment

Pennsylvania Volunteers, was accidentally taken by a few of the enemy, whom he mistook for Massachusetts men, their uniforms corresponding in all respects, to that of the latter. The four men who were killed were afterward charged upon by the cavalry and stabbed through the body, stripped of all their clothing, not excepting shoes and stockings, and left in perfect nudity. One was laid out in the form of crucifixion, with his hands spread, and cut through the palms with a dull knife. This inhuman treatment incensed our troops exceedingly, and I fear its consequences may be shown in retaliating acts hereafter. I visited the iron foundry at Shenandoah city, and ascertained that it was used by the rebels for casting shot and shell of all kinds. I ordered it to be burned, which was done the same night. The acts of individual gallantry are so numerous in the whole command that it would be impossible to give to each an appropriate mention; but I do not hesitate to say that every corps behaved with the coolness and courage of veteran troops.

"It affords me pleasure to mention that Hon. Daniel McCook (father of General McCook), as an amateur soldier, gun in hand, volunteered and rendered much service during the engagement. I also mention like services rendered by Benjamin G. Owen, Esq., of St. Louis. Both of these gentlemen were greatly exposed during the action. I am informed by authority deemed reliable, that the enemy's forces consisted of the following troops, viz: the 13th and 19th Mississippi regiments, the 8th Virginia regiment of infantry, Colonel Ashby's regiment of cavalry, and Roger's Richmond battery of six pieces, and one thirty-two-pounder columbiad, commanded by General Evans in person. Bolivar Heights was taken at half-past one P. M. I directed our troops to rest there until evening, when we fired a farewell shot into Hallstown, and as there was no longer any necessity to remain on that

RECONNOISSANCE OF LEESBURG.

side of the Potomac, our errand having been crowned with the fullest success, I marched my command to the ferry, and in five hours it was safely landed in Maryland."

The enemy before Washington having fallen back from their positions immediately in front of the formidable force collected within the Union lines, a reconnoissance was ordered by General McClellan to ascertain their strength on the right in the neighborhood of the Potomac. The region in Maryland opposite that part of Loudon county commanding the approaches to Leesburg, the capital of the county and the key to the upper interior communication with the valley of the Shenandoah, was held by the division of Brigadier-General Stone. His headquarters were at Poolesville, within easy striking distance of Conrad's and Edwards' Ferries, which, some four miles from 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 two hundred yards in width and three miles in length, unequally dividing the stream between the two shores. On the Maryland side the distance was about one hundred and fifty yards; on the Virginia side, where the current was more rapid, about one hundred. Conrad's Ferry was at the upper end of the Island. The river was much swollen by the autumnal rains. On the 10th of October it was reported in the papers of the day that the Upper Potomac in a few days had risen fifteen feet above the fording point, and that the volume of water and the rapidity of the current rendered the use of pontoon bridges a matter of extreme difficulty.

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despatch to General Stone of the fact, informing him that General McCall would that day send out heavy reconnoissances in all directions, 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."* Acting immediately upon this order or suggestion, General Stone set on foot a movement of his troops which led, the next day, to the fatal engagement at Ball's Bluff. Early on the afternoon of the 20th he proceeded with General Gorman's brigade, 7th Michigan, two troops of the Van Alen cavalry and the Putnam rangers, to Edward's Ferry, where a section of Bunting's New York battery was already on duty. To Harrison's Island, where there was already a company of the 15th Massachusetts volunteers, he sent four additional companies of the same regiment under Colonel Charles Devens; while he ordered to Conrad's Ferry, at that time defended by a section of Ricketts' battery, Colonel Lee with a battalion of his 20th Massachusetts regiment, a section of Vaughan's Rhode Island battery and Colonel Coggswell's New York Tammany regiment. Several additional regiments, including Colonel Baker's so called California regiment, numbering in all about 3,000 men, were left as a reserve in the rear. "The movements of General McCall," remarks General Stone in his report, "had evidently attracted the attention of the enemy, a regiment of infantry having appeared from the direction of Leesburg and taken shelter behind a hill about a mile and a half from our position at Edwards' Ferry." To intimidate or disperse this party of the enemy, General Gorman was ordered to deploy his forces in their view; three flat-boats were put in mo

On the 19th of October General McCall, who held the advance command in Virginia on the right of the Union line, in pursuance of instructions, moved forward and occupied Dranesville. As soon as this was accomplished General McClellan, on the 20th, sent word in a 20, 1861.

* A. V. Colburn, Assistant Adjutant-General, by order of General McClellan, to Brigadier-General Stone, October

tion as if for crossing, and to confirm covered by a company of the Massachuthis impression, shell and shot were dis- setts 20th to be posted over the landing charged from the battery into the place place." Colonel Devens was ordered to of the enemy's concealment. This de- make close observation of the position, monstration caused the quick retirement strength, and movements of the enemy, of the enemy. "In the course of this and in the event of there being no enemy affair," General Stone tells us, "three there visible, to hold on in a secure poboat loads of thirty-five men each from sition, until he could be strengthened the 1st Minnesota crossed and recrossed sufficiently to make a valuable reconnoisthe river, each trip occupying about six sance. At this time orders were sent to or seven minutes." At dusk General Colonel Baker to send the 1st California Gorman's brigade and the 7th Michigan regiment to Conrad's Ferry, to arrive returned to camp. The troops stationed there at sunrise, and to have the remainat Conrad's Ferry meanwhile remained der of his brigade ready to move early. awaiting the return of the scouting party Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, of the 15th which had been sent, by order of Gen- Massachusetts, was also ordered to move eral Stone, from Harrison's Island in the with a battalion to the river bank opdirection of Leesburg. In the afternoon posite Harrison's Island by daybreak. General Stone sent a dispatch to Gen- Two mounted howitzers, in charge of eral McClellan communicating these inci- Lieutenant French of Ricketts' battery, `dents, and touching upon a point-the were ordered to the tow-path of the means of transportation at hand-which canal opposite Harrison's Island." "To presently became of the utmost impor- distract attention from Colonel Devens' tance in the conduct of the operations in movements," continues General Stone in progress. "I have means," he wrote, his report, "and to make a reconnois"of crossing one hundred and twenty-sance in the direction of Leesburg from five men once in ten minutes at each of two points. River falling slowly."

Edwards' Ferry, I directed General Gorman to throw across the river at that point two companies of the 1st Minnesota under cover of a fire from Ricketts' battery, and sent out a party of thirty

At ten o'clock in the night word was brought to General Stone at Edwards' Ferry that Captain Philbrick of the 15th Massachusetts, who conducted the recon-one Van Alen Cavalry under Major Mix, noitering party, had returned to the is- accompanied by Captain Charles Stewland, having been within a mile of Lees- art, Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain burg and made the discovery in the edge Murphy, and Lieutenants Pierce and of a wood of an encampment of thirty Gouraud, with orders to advance along tents. There were no pickets out any the Leesburg road until they should distance and he had approached to with- come to the vicinity of a battery which in twenty-five rods without being even was known to be on that road, and then challenged. turn to the left and examine the heights Upon receiving this intelligence, Gen-between that and Goose Creek, and see eral Stone instantly sent orders to Col- if any of the enemy were posted in the onel Devens on the island, "to cross four companies to the Virginia shore and march silently under cover of the night to the position of the camp referred to, to attack and destroy it at day-break, pursue the enemy lodged there, as far as would be prudent, and return immediately to the island, his return to be

vicinity, find out their numbers as nearly as possible, their disposition, examine the country with reference to the passage of troops to the Leesburg and Georgetown turnpike, and return rapidly to cover behind the skirmishers of the Minnesota 1st. This reconnoissance was most gallantly conducted, and the party proceed

COLONEL DEVENS' MOVEMENT.

ed along the Leesburg road nearly two miles from the ferry, and when near the position of the hidden battery came suddenly upon a Mississippi regiment, about thirty-five yards distant, received its fire and returned it with their pistols. The fire of the enemy killed one horse, but Lieutenant Gouraud seized the dismounted man, and drawing him on his horse behind him, carried him unhurt from the field. One private of the 4th Virginia Cavalry was brought off by the party a prisoner, who, being well mounted and armed, his mount replaced the one lost by the fire of the enemy."

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with Captain Philbrick and two or three scouts across this slope and along the other line of it, observing Leesburg, which was in full view, and the country about it, as carefully as possible, and seeing but four tents of the enemy. My force being well concealed by the woods, and having no reason to believe my presence was discovered, and no large number of the enemy's tents being in sight, I determined not to return at once, but to report to yourself, which I did by directing Quartermaster Howe to repair at once to Edwards' Ferry to state these facts, and to say, that in my opinion I While this diversion of the enemy was could remain until I was reinforced. going on at the left, Colonel Devens was The means of transportation between executing the movement ordered by Gen- the island and the Virginia shore had eral Stone on the right. He began the been strengthened, I knew, at daybreak, passage of the river from Harrison's Is- by a large boat which would convey land to the Virginia shore about mid-sixty or seventy men at once, and as the night; but so inadequate was the trans-boat could cross and recross every ten portation, having only three four-oared minutes, I had no reason to suppose boats, together conveying only about thirty men, that it was nearly four o'clock on the morning of the 21st before his small force of five companies, numbering about three hundred, were lodged on the opposite side. They passed down the river about sixty rods by a path discovered by the scouts and then On receiving the message brought by ascended the bank known as Ball's Bluff, Lieutenant Howe, General Stone ordered where they found an open field sur- a non-commissioned officer and ten cavrounded by woods. Here they halted alry to join Colonel Devens for the purtill daybreak, being joined by the com- pose of scouring the country near him pany, 100 men accompanied by Colonel while engaged in the reconnoissance and Lee, of the Massachusetts 20th, ordered to give due notice of the approach of to protect their return. "At daybreak," any force. He also ordered Lieutenantcontinues Colonel Devens in his report, Colonel Ward to proceed with a battal"we pushed forward our reconnoissance ion of the 15th Massachusetts to secure toward Leesburg to the distance of about a crossing higher up and protect the a mile from the river, to a spot supposed flank of Colonel Devens in his return. to be the site of the rebel encampment," For some reason," adds Colonel Stone, but found, on passing through the woods, that the scouts had been deceived by a line of trees on the brow of the slope, the openings through which presented, in an uncertain light, somewhat the appearance of a line of tents. Leaving the detachment in the woods, I proceeded

there would be any difficulty in sending over five hundred men an hour, as it was known there were two large boats between the island and the Maryland shore, which would convey to the island all the troops that could be conveyed from it to the Virginia shore."

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never explained to me, neither of these orders was carried out. The cavalry who were accompanied by Captain Candy, Assistant Adjutant-General, and General Lander, were transferred to the Virginia shore, but were sent back without having left the shore to go inland,

and thus Colonel Devens was deprived Tammany regiment, besides the 19th and of the means of obtaining warning of part of the 20th regiments of Massachuany approach of the enemy. The bat-setts Volunteers, and I left it to his distalion under Colonel Ward was detained cretion, after viewing the ground, to reon the Bluff in the rear of Colonel Dev- tire from the Virginia shore under the ens instead of being directed to the cover of his guns and the fire of the right." large infantry force, or to place our reinforcements in case he found it practicable and the position on the other side favorable. I stated that I wished no advance made unless the enemy were of inferior force, and under no circumstances to pass beyond Leesburg, or a strong position between it and Goose Creek, on the Gum Spring road, i. e., the Manassas road. Colonel Baker was cautioned in reference to passing artillery across the river; and I begged if he did do so to see it well supported by good infantry. The General pointed out to him the position of some bluffs on this side of the river, from which artillery could act with effect on the other, and, leaving the matter of crossing more troops or retiring what were already over to his discretion, gave him entire control of operations on the right. This gallant and energetic officer left me about nine A. M., or halfpast nine, and galloped off quickly to his command."

Colonel Baker meanwhile, whom we have seen ordered by General Stone to be at Conrad's Ferry with his regiment at sunrise, had received the summons at two o'clock in the morning in his tent, and quickly rising from his couch roused his brigade for an immediate march. Sending forward a battalion of the Californians under Lieutenant-Colonel Wistar and urging on the remainder, he hastened at an early hour to the Ferry whence he proceeded for further instructions to General Stone at Edwards' Ferry. "I directed him," says General Stone in his report, "to Harrison's Island to assume command, and in full conversation explained to him the position as it then stood. I told him that General McCall had advanced his troops to Dranesville, and that I was extremely desirous of ascertaining the exact position and force of the enemy in our front, and exploring as far as it was safe on the right, towards Leesburg, and on the left The following written order, dated, toward the Leesburg and Gum Spring Headquarters, Edwards' Ferry, October road. I also informed Colonel Baker that 21, addressed by General Stone to ColGeneral Gorman, opposite Edwards' Fer-onel Baker, it is stated, was found on the ry, should be reinforced, and that I would person of the latter after his death: "In make every effort to push Gorman's troops case of heavy firing in front of Harricarefully forward to discover the best line son's Island, you will advance the Califrom that ferry to the Leesburg and Gumfornia regiment of your brigade or retire Spring road, already mentioned; and the the regiments under Colonels Lee and position of the breastworks and hidden Devens, now on the Virginia side of the battery, which prevented the movement river, at your discretion-assuming comof troops directly from left to right, were mand on arrival." also pointed out to him. The means of transportation across, of the sufficiency of which he (Baker) was to be judge, was detailed, and authority given him to make use of the guns of a section each of Vaughan's and Bunting's batteries, together with French's mountain howitzers, all the troops of his brigade and the

While these preparations were being made for reinforcing Colonel Devens, that officer, in his forward movement, had discovered a company of riflemen on his right whom he attempted to cut off when a skirmish ensued, in which one of his men was killed and nine wounded. body of the enemy's cavalry then ap

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