BALL’S BLUFF AND THE ARREST OF GENERAL STONE.

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frequently, so that when they are pushed, Gorman [at Edwards Ferry] can come in on theirflank. Yours respectfully and truly, Chas. P. Stone, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Headquarters Corps of Observation. Edwards Ferry, October 21st, 1861.— ColonelE. D. Baker, Commanding Brigade . Colonel : In case of heavy firing in front of Harrison’sIsland, you will advance the California regiment of your brigade, or retire the regiments underColonels Lee and Devens upon the Virginia side of the river, at your discretion, assuming com-mand on arrival. Very respectfully, Colonel, your most obedient servant, Chas. P. Stone,Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Captain Francis J. Yonng, assistant quartermaster of Colonel Baker’s staff,says that as soon as the latter order had been received

“ Colonel Baker immediately sent for three regiments and a squadron of cavalry from hisbrigade and for Colonel Cogswell and the rest of his Tammany regiment.

“ Proceeding to the crossing at Harrison’s Island , we found the means of transportation toconsist of two flat-boats of the capacity of 25 to 40 men, and a small skiff, which would carrybut 3 or 4 men. The river was swollen and the current rapid, and there was much labor anddelay in making use of the boats. Another flat-boat was found in the canal one mile distant,and, being towed down to the crossing, was with much difficulty got into the Potomac. 1 ColonelBaker immediately crossed with me and as many men as could be got into the boats to theisland, and reaching the opposite side of the island found one flat-boat and a small metallicboat. He crossed to the Virginia shore without delay with Adjutant-General Harvey, sendingme back with an order for Colonel Cogswell to bring over the artillery.

“ It was now 2 o’clock P. M., and Colonel Cogswell coming over from the Maryland side with2 pieces of artillery, horses, and men, we carried with us the 2 howitzers of the BhodeIsland Battery and crossed to the Virginia side. The bank is of a miry clay, and the heightsalmost precipitous, with fallen trees and rocks, making it very difficult to get up the artillery.Arriving by circuitous routes on the summit, we found an open field of six acres, covered withwild grass, scrub oak, and locust trees, and forming a segment of a circle, the arc of which wassurrounded with trees. Colonel Baker apprised Colonel Devens that he had been placed incommand, and learned that the 15th Massachusetts , after having advanced for a mile in thedirection of Leesburg, had been attacked and fallen back to the position which they thenoccupied, just in the edge of the woods on the right. The other forces were lying under thebrow of the hill; and with the exception of an occasional rifle shot all was quiet, and no sight ofan enemy. The 2 howitzers and 1 piece of artillery were drawn by the men out into the openfield, pointing to the woods in front, the artillery horses not being brought up the steep.”

Occurrences at Harrison’s Island and at the bluff, during the arrival ofreinforcements, are described by Colonel Milton Cogswell, of the “Tammany ”or 42d New York regiment, whose report is dated New York , September 22d,1862, after his return from captivity. At 2 o’clock on the 21st he receivedorders to cross the Potomac at Harrison’s Island :

“Arrived at the landing opposite Harrison’s Island , I found the greatest confusion existing.No one seemed to be in charge, nor any one superintending the passage of the troops, and noorder was maintained in their crossing. The eight companies of my regiment on picket wererapidly concentrated at the crossing, and I moved with one company of my regiment and twopieces of artillery belonging to the 6th New York Battery to the island, leaving verbal orderswith Major Bowe, who remained in charge, to push the remainder of my regiment on as soonas possible. I immediately crossed the island to make the passage of the second branch of theriver, and there found still greater confusion existing than at the first landing. . . .

“ I ascended the bluff (about 70 feet high) and reported myself to Colonel Baker. I found

| General Stone says in a report dated Deeem- when a junior officer or sergeant would haveher 2d, 1861, that “Colonel Baker spent more done as well, the meantime neglecting to visitthan an hour in personally superintending the or give orders to the advanced force in the facelifting of a boat from the canal to the river, of the enemy.”— Editors.