CHAPTER V.

BALL'S BLUFF.

Situation of Ball's Bluff.-The Hostile Armies on Opposite Banks of the River.-Reconnoitre at Drainesville.-Feint of Gorman's Brigade at Edward's Ferry.-Attack of the Enemy from the Woods.— Union Troops Exposed to a Murderous Fire.-Death of Baker.— Ineffectual Means of Transportation.-Attempts to Regain the Maryland Shore.-Troops Shot or Drowned in Crossing.-Defeat of the Union Arms.-Causes of the Disaster.

THE months of August and September, 1861, passed away without action on the part of General McClellan, who had been elevated to the command of the Army of the Potomac.

The battle of Ball's Bluff, which was fought on the twenty-first of October, just three months after the engagement at Bull Run, was an event that cast a profound gloom over the country, not only because of the defeat of the Union arms and the death of a noble and brave officer, but because of the disappointment which it caused to the hopes that had been excited through the growth and development of the army. Ball's Bluff is the name applied to a part of the bank of the Potomac east of the village of Leesburg. Opposite the Bluff and about one hundred yards away is Harrison's Island, a long narrow tract, containing about four hundred acres. Between this island and the Virginia shore the river is about two hundred yards

broad, with an exceedingly rapid current. Between the island and the Maryland shore, the stream is nearly three hundred yards wide, but not quite so rapid. A few rods above the upper end of the island is a ferry across the Potomac known as Conrad's Ferry, and about an equal distance below the island is Edward's Ferry. The two hostile armies had for many months held the opposite banks of the river at this point. It was here that the Confederates had contemplated an irruption into Maryland to attack Washington. General Banks held the Maryland side of the river from Great Falls to Edward's Ferry; from that point to Conrad's Ferry was stationed the division of General Stone, with headquarters at Poolesville. Next in order came the force of Colonel Geary and then that of Colonel Lander. On the Virginia side the principal Confederate posts were at Leesburg and Drainesville. As it was important to ascertain the strength of the enemy at the latter place, General McClellan on the nineteenth of October, directed General McCall to make a reconnoisance in that quarter. McCall executed this order the same day and returned to his camp at Poolesville on the twentieth, reporting no enemy in Drainesville nor within four miles of Leesburg. In consequence of this report the following dispatch was sent to General Stone:

"TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL STONE,

Poolesville, Md.:

General McClellan desires me to inform you that General McCall occupied Drainesville yesterday, and is still there. Will send out reconnoisances to-day in all directions from that point. The General desires you to keep a good lookout from

Leesburg, to see if the movement has the effect to drive them away. Perhaps a slight demonstration on your part would have the effect to move them.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General."

As soon as these instructions reached General Stone, he ordered the brigade of General Gorman to Edward's Ferry; detachments of the Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts to Harrison's Island; and a section of a battery and the California and Tammany Regiments under Colonel Edward D. Baker to Conrad's Ferry. A feint to cross the river was then made by the force of General Gorman, in full view of the enemy.

At twenty minutes after one o'clock, on the morning of the twenty-first, Colonel Devens with five companies of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, accompanied by Colonel Lee with a portion of the Twentieth Massachusetts, crossed from Harrison's Island to the Virginia side and took position on the top of Ball's Bluff, which at this point rises abruptly some one hundred and fifty feet from the river. In order to draw attention from the movement of Devens, General Stone instructed Colonel Gorman to hurry two companies of the First Minnesota Infantry across the river and to send out a squadron of Cavalry on the Leesburg road. In the meantime General Stone, having received a message from Colonel Devens stating that he had found no enemy, ordered a battalion of the Fifteenth Massachusetts to cross and protect the flank of Devens, and Colonel Baker to be in readiness with his brigade to act as a support if necessary. Colonel Devans continuing to push forward, encountered a large body of

Confederate troops near Leesburg a few minutes after sunrise, and immediately fell back in good order to the Bluff. While waiting reinforcements and further orders he was attacked about noon by the enemy who opened fire from a concealed position in the woods. The small Union force suffered greatly from this attack, being drawn up in an open field of about six acres and exposed on all sides to the fire of the Confederate sharpshooters. Detachments of the First California, Twentieth Massachusetts, Tammany Regiment, and four pieces of artillery had now crossed the river, and at twenty minutes after two o'clock in the afternoon, the skirmishing in front became very brisk.

Colonel Baker, having assumed command of the entire force, formed his line for action at four o'clock -the Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts on the right, the Californians on the left and the Tammany Regiment and the artillery in the centre. Indications of a large Confederate force now became apparent although none were visible. These troops numbering not far from four thousand men pressing upon the little band of Colonel Baker with increasing vigor and more effective fire, induced a consultation among the Union officers which resulted in a determination to stand. A retreat was sure to result in disaster, as such a movement would bring them to the steep brink of the river, where the rapid descent only led to a small boat and a scow as a means of transport over a swift channel. To hold their ground until reinforcements could cross at Edward's Ferry and come to their aid, was now their only hope. Two companies being pushed forward, to feel the Confederates in the woods

on the left, were met by a murderous fire which seemed to be the signal for an attack along the whole line of the enemy, who, readily discovering their superiority in numbers, closed in on both sides of the field with overwhelming force.

The gallant Colonel Baker fell dead while in the act of leading his men in a charge. Colonel Cogswell of the Tammany Regiment now assumed command, and as he found it impossible to hold his position attempted to regain the Maryland shore. Our troops retired in good order closely pursued by the Confederates. On reaching the river but one boat was at hand and that was swamped at the second crossing. After the boat went down no alternative was left but to swim or surrender. The majority chose the former course and throwing their arms into the river, dispersed, some up and some down the bank, and others on logs endeavored to reach Harrison's Island by swimming. In this attempt many were shot and more were drowned. The artillery was tumbled down the bank but was subsequently taken up by the enemy, together with some cases of shot.

Not more than nine hundred of our men returned to their camps, about half of the missing having been taken prisoners on the river shore. The Confederates, who were commanded by General Evans, admitted a loss of one hundred and fifty-five.

During the progress of the battle, General Stone was preparing to cross the river at Edward's Ferry, but desisted on the receipt of news announcing the death of Colonel Baker and the defeat of his command. Orders were then received from McClellan to hold the