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wards a Major-General,) in passing in front of his regiment, observed a tall, gaunt fellow, with a violin case strapped to his back. Wright asked him "what he was going to do with his fiddle ?" The rude soldier had never heard of Mirabeau's dying exclamation, but he almost quoted it when he said, he wanted to "die to the sound of Betsy," this being the term of endearment which he applied to his violin.

After the fight was over, the fiddling soldier did not answer at roll-call. He was found, with a broken leg, at the root of a tree, to which he had crawled, quietly sawing the strings of "Betsy."

THE STORY OF BALL'S BLUFF.

BY AN OFFICER WHO TOOK PART IN IT.

THE history of the battle of Ball's Bluff has never been published. No event of the war since the assault upon Fort Sumter created a like sensation; and the cause of the disaster, the name of the persons culpable, or the plans and purposes of the officers who ordered the movement, have not officially or certainly been made known. The report of General Stone, in command, was not satisfactory to the country, and Congress called upon the War Department for the facts. MajorGeneral McClellan, who, it was known, ordered the movement, refused to furnish the facts. The insulted Congress repeated its demand, and received a second time the same answer. A joint committee of both Houses of Congress was appointed to inquire into the "conduct of the present war," especially, as was remarked in the debate, "as regards the battle of Ball's Bluff." That committee has as yet made no report. General Stone, by order of the President, was arrested and imprisoned upon several charges involving disloyalty, and "for misconduct at the battle of Ball's Bluff." After a confinement of six months he was discharged without trial, and the cherished expectations of the public for the facts so long withheld were again disappointed.

miles long. At a distance of half a mile north of the Bluff is Smoot's Mill, situated upon a gentle slope of the bank; and near to it a road leads from the river, by an easy ascent, to the Leesburg turnpike, which, running southerly to Drainesville, passes near to Edwards' Ferry. On the day of the battle General McCall, with twenty-four thousand men, was in that turnpike, nine miles from Ball's Bluff, and General Gorman, with fourteen hundred men was at Edwards' Ferry, on the Virginia side. The whole distance from Ball's Bluff to the Maryland side of the Potomac, across Harrison's Island, is not six hundred yards.

On Sunday night, Oct. 20, 1861, in obedience to orders of General Stone, Colonel Devens, of the Fifteenth Mass. Volunteers, proceeded, with three hundred men, from camp at Poolsville to a point opposite Ball's Bluff and Harrison's Island, and in three small boats crossed to the Virginia shore, arriving at the summit just before daylight. The landing-place was soft and mucky, and the ascent winding and difficult. At the same time four companies of the First Minnesota Volunteers crossed the river at Edwards' Ferry. No enemy was encountered at either place, and his pickets had not been seen for two days. Whatever knowledge of the topography of our country our forces possessed had been acquired by distant observation from Maryland, and no guide accompanied them.

At daybreak Colonel Devens led his troops over the open field, and through the woods towards and within one mile of Leesburg, where, in scattered small numbers, he descried rebels, and

after exchanging several volleys with them at long range, fell back to the woods. Here being attacked, he repulsed the enemy with small loss on both sides, and then retired to the Bluff, where he was joined by the remainder of his regiment, and by Colonel Lee with one hundred men of the Twentieth Mass. Volunteers, making in all seven hundred and twenty Federal troops across the river. The day was fair.

Baker arrived from his camp near Poolsville on At the same time, eight o'clock, A. M., Colonel Ball's Bluff, so called from Mr. Ball, a farmer the Maryland side, opposite, where he found the living in the vicinity, is a bold embankment, of one first battalion of the California regiment, six hundred feet elevation, on the Virginia shore of hundred and eighty officers and men, Lieutenantthe Potomac, three miles from Leesburg north-Colonel Wistar commanding. He was informed westerly, and an equal distance from Edwards' of an order from General Stone, then at Edwards' Ferry in a southern direction. Poolsville, Md., Ferry, that in the event of heavy firing in front, lies opposite, five miles, and by the road running the California battalion should cross and reinforce easterly, Washington is distant thirty-four miles. Colonel Devens. Upon inquiring as to the means From the river's edge to the summit, the Bluff is of transportation, and learning that they consisted covered with trees and bushes, which, joining with of two frail scows, each capable of carrying twenthe woods on either side, enclose above, in the ty-five men, and the river deep and rapid, Colform of a half circle, an open natural clearing of onel Baker rode in haste to Edwards' Ferry that seven acres. In the middle of the Potomac, in he might have better assurance of an order so Meanwhile several dead and front of the Bluff, lies Harrison's Island, a fertile extraordinary. strip of land two hundred yards wide and four wounded arrived from the Bluff, where firing was growing more frequent, and three companies of the California regiment crossed to Harrison's Island. Colonel Baker returned from Edwards' Ferry at eleven o'clock, bearing a written order from General Stone to reinforce or retire Colonel Devens, "in his discretion." The returned wounded

* This paper was written in July, 1862. The report of the War Committee, published in March, 1863, corroborates all its statements. The late restoration of Gen. Stone to active duty is a vindication and acquittal of misconduct charged upon him, and places the responsibility upon another.

reported the enemy in force, pressing Colonel Devens. How could seven hundred men be safely retired in two small boats under the fire of a bloodthirsty and superior enemy? Shall they be left to their fate, or will he reinforce them and share their peril? Colonel Baker was not long in determining upon his course of duty.

Baker, with his staff on foot, there were no mounted officers on the field, traversed several times the whole line of forces under his command, addressing pleasant words to officers and men, and setting them an example of coolness, courage, and confidence. From the Maryland shore frequent shells came flying over the river and bluff, bursting harmlessly far in the rear of the enemy, who seemed patiently to defer his attack until we crossed in greater numbers.

A larger scow, discovered in the canal running parallel to the river, was with great labor dragged across the tow-path and launched in the channel. Placing Captain Ritman in charge of the trans- At precisely four o'clock loud yells preceded. portation of the troops, and directing that they a flashing line of fire in the woods, and the report should cross as rapidly as possible, with his staff of a thousand rifles announced the opening of the composed of Assistant Adjutant-General Harvey engagement with part of the enemy, several of and Captain Young, Brigade Quartermaster, whom had climbed into the trees, that they might Colonel Baker embarked for the Island, where, have a better aim at our recumbent men. For on the western side, he found three hundred men nearly an hour showers of bullets and buck-shot awaiting their chance to go over to the Virginia continued to pour upon our devoted line; but shore. Impressed with the grave responsibility considering the nearness of the enemy, the casof his position, Colonel Baker was silently re- ualties were not very great. On our part the marking the two small boats plying with their cannon alone for the first half hour responded heavy freight of reinforcements, when his atten- with thundering voice, clearly telling General tion was called to an officer of one of the Massa- Stone and the Union forces at Edwards' Ferry chusetts regiments standing on the Virginia shore, of the hot engagement near them; and flying who cried out, "We can see three regiments of the farther, reached the ears of General McCall and enemy coming down from Leesburg." Colonel his division, which, by order of Major-General Baker responded, "All right; be of good cheer-McClellan, was returning to its camp at Drainesthere will be the more for us to whip "— and im- ville. Six thousand troops had, during the aftermediately crossed the river. On reaching the noon, assembled at the crossing-place opposite summit, and assuming command, he found the the Bluff, but by reason of the small means of Massachusetts troops drawn up on the right of the transportation, were obliged to remain there refield in good order, quietly awaiting a nearer at-garding in helplessness and rage the unequal contack of the enemy, who, though silent, with the ex- test. A rope had been stretched across the chanception of occasional shots, were known to be in nel to the island, which aided much in the passage large force in the woods in the front and on the of the boats; but from the Virginia side there was right. It was three o'clock before all of the Cal- no rope, and the solitary leaky scow was poled ifornia battalion had crossed and climbed the Bluff, over and back slowly. By five o'clock nearly which, joined to two companies of the Tammany two thousand men had ascended the Bluff, and regiment, made with the Massachusetts troops, our engaged in most part in returning the fire of the whole force seventeen hundred. An order was re-enemy. Notwithstanding the discouraging asceived from General Stone advising Colonel Baker that the enemy was four thousand strong, and that he might count upon General Gorman coming to his reinforcement from Edwards' Ferry, on the left. [ He decided, therefore, not to advance, but await the arrival of the promised aid, formed his line of battle by placing Colonel Devens and his command on the right at the border of the woods, resting upon and making a right angle with the centre, composed of two companies of Twentieth Mass. and two companies of the Tammany regiment; the California battalion forming the left and touching the woods bounding the plateau to the south. The ground, sloping from a point distant thirty yards from the edge of the cliff, afforded a fair cover for men lying upon their faces, from the increasing fire of the enemy in the woods. The officer commanding the company, having At three o'clock Colonel Coggswell of the Tam- called out, "Who are you?" received for answer, many regiment arrived upon the field, and being "Confederates!" and another volley following imreceived by Colonel Baker with much enthusiasm, mediately, many of our men were killed and woundwas placed in command of the artillery, consist- ed. Colonel Baker fell dead, struck with three ing of one six-pounder and two mountain howit- balls. Five or six rebels ran from the woods zers, then in charge of Lieutenant Bramhall, of the towards his body, lying ten yards in advance Ninth New York State Militia. The pieces were of the line of battle, when Captain Bieral, of drawn into the open field, twenty yards in ad- the California regiment, with a dozen of his vance of the centre of the line of battle. Colonel men, dashed forward, and driving the others back,

pect of matters, our troops generally exhibited good feeling, determined courage, and obedience to command. The wounded and some dead were carried by their comrades down the hill, who, after placing them in the boat, returned to the field. The enemy was several times driven back with great loss by discharges of the cannon, which, after the artillery men had been killed or wounded, was loaded and fired by Colonel Coggswell, Lieutenant Bramhall, and other officers. A volley of musketry from the thick_forest on the left attracted our attention, and Colonel Baker, thinking it came from the expected and promised reinforcement from Edwards' Ferry, ordered a company of the California men to advance cautiously, and discover if they were friends or foes.

rescued the corpse and sword, which were immediately carried from the field by Captain Young, who had but a moment before been ordered by Colonel Baker to go to General Stone, and report the state of the engagement, and ask for reinforcements. At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Wistar and Lieutenant Bramhall, being severely wounded, were helped down the hill, and with Colonel Baker's body, safely reached the island. At the last discharge of the cannon it recoiled even to the edge of the cliff, and falling over, was inextricably lost in the rock and jungle. Later the two howitzers, which had not been fired during the engagement, were thrown over the bank, and they with the cannon were afterwards recovered by the enemy. By seniority Colonel Coggswell assumed command, and regarding the battle as hopelessly lost, and there being no retreat by the river, he determined to fight his way to Edwards' Ferry. By his order the Fifteenth Massachusetts moved across the field from the right to the left of the line, where the two companies of the Tammany regiment had already moved. While making the proper arrangements for retreat, a rebel officer misled our troops by approaching them and giving a command to charge upon a large body of the enemy who now occupied our late position on the right. Rushing forward en masse, our men received a destructive fire, and the line being broken, general confusion ensued for a few moments. Re-forming in line, several volleys were exchanged with the enemy, who were now near, in sight, in front, with considerable loss on both sides; but night coming on, and no one knowing the road to Edwards Ferry, Colonel Coggswell abandoned his plan of retreat to that point, and gave an order to fall back to the river's bank, below the Bluff, leaving two companies above to hold the enemy in check. At this moment, the only boat in the channel was seen to go down, overloaded with wounded and fugitives; and thus disappeared the only means of escape, except by swimming. The enemy soon occupied the heights, and poured down a fatal fire upon the crowded mass below. Three times bodies of our men climbed to the summit, and after delivering their fire, returned to their helpless comrades below. Throwing their arms and clothing into the river, many swam for the island, while others, aided by the increasing darkness, crept along the bank above and below the Bluff, and on logs, and in a small skiff which by good fortune was found, escaped.

conduct themselves with more courage. Each man felt that something had gone wrong. "Some one had blundered," or may be worse, and silently marching under the rebel guard, each sought in his own mind, or in whispering voices of his companions, for an explanation of the disaster.

The enemy's force engaged is not known, but is stated in the report of Colonel Evans, who commanded them, at twenty-six hundred. It is believed that there were full four thousand. His loss was not less than four hundred, mostly killed. On our side the casualties cannot be precisely stated, as many were missing whose death by drowning or killed on the field could not be ascertained. The total loss was one hundred and fifty killed, two hundred wounded, and seven hundred and ten taken prisoners.

Such is the narrative of the affair at Ball's Bluff, as told by those who were engaged in it, but had no part in its planning, and are still ignorant of its purpose. As stated, all attempts to discover the object of sending across the Potomac at that point a small force, while Generals McCall and Smith, with over twenty thousand men, were already on the Virginia side, within nine miles of Leesburg, have not been successful. In vain is the inquiry repeated, "Why was Ball's Bluff chosen as a crossing-place, while, at a distance of one half mile above it, the land slopes to the river bank, and an easy ascent and open country would have placed our force on equal footing with the enemy? Why was not transportation provided in advance, adequate for a successful withdrawal of Colonels Devens and Lee and their commands, or for throwing over a large force for their support?" The movement was not unpremeditated, and there was no want of boats or material for pontoons and bridges in the vicinity of Harrison's Island. An army of ten thousand men had been lying idle at Poolsville for months, expecting at some time to cross the river. The canal leading to Washington offered excellent facilities for furnishing the necessary means for crossing, and three frail scows, made of inch plank, and one skiff, were all that our army found there on the day of the battle.

Why were not the promised reinforcements sent to our aid from Edwards' Ferry? During the engagement fourteen hundred troops, under the command of General Gorman, awaited on the Virginia shore, at Edwards' Ferry, an order to march to our aid; and in his report General Gorman says, that at the moment Colonel Baker There was no formal surrender, but a sullen fell, General Stone sent an order for them to submission to adverse fate. The colors, heavily throw up intrenchments! There was no enemy weighed with stones, were cast into the stream. between Edwards' Ferry and the battle-field, and At eight o'clock all firing and noise had ceased, we may fairly suppose that one hundred men save the moans of the wounded, and the shrieks coming up and attacking them on their flank of the drowning in their vain attempts to swim would have changed the fortunes of that day. to the island. At midnight twenty-two commis- That night General McClellan, at Washington, sioned officers and seven hundred and ten men having learned of the disastrous result of the exwere prisoners of war, on their march to Lees-pedition he had ordered, despatched an order to burg.

Never was a conquered army less subdued in spirit. Astounded, bewildered, indignant, there was no feeling of shame, for never did soldiers

General Banks, at Darnstown, Md., twelve miles from Ball's Bluff, to march his division to the Potomac, at the same points, which, during the day, had been occupied by eight thousand of our

troops, vainly demanding transportation to their commands over the river! Generals McCall and Smith, at Drainesville, Va., received no orders. Two days afterwards, all of the Federal forces returned to their respective camps; and thus conIcludes the affair of Ball's Bluff.

ON THE SHORES OF TENNESSEE.

"MOVE my arm-chair, faithful Pompey,
In the sunshine bright and strong,
For this world is fading, Pompey -
Massa won't be with you long;
And I fain would hear the south wind
Bring once more the sound to me
Of the wavelets softly breaking
On the shores of Tennessee.

"Mournful though the ripples murmur,
As they still the story tell,

How no vessels float the banner

That I've loved so long and well,

I shall listen to their music,
Dreaming that again I see

Stars and Stripes on sloop and shallop,
Sailing up the Tennessee.

"And, Pompey, while old Massa's waiting
For death's last despatch to come,
If that exiled starry banner

Should come proudly sailing home, You shall greet it, slave no longer

Voice and hand shall both be free That shout and point to Union colors, On the waves of Tennessee."

"Massa's berry kind to Pompey; But ole darky's happy here, Where he's tended corn and cotton

For 'ese many a long-gone year. Over yonder Missis sleeping

No one tends her grave like me; Mebbe she would miss the flowers

She used to love in Tennessee.

"Pears like she was watching, Massa,

If Pompey should beside him stay; Mebbe she'd remember better

How for him she used to pray; Telling him that way up yonder

White as snow his soul would be, If he served the Lord of heaven

While he lived in Tennessee."

Silently the tears were rolling

Down the poor old dusky face, As he stepped behind his master, In his long-accustomed place. Then a silence fell around them,

As they gazed on rock and tree, Pictured in the placid waters

Of the rolling Tennessee;-
Master, dreaming of the battle

Where he fought by Marion's side,
When he bid the haughty Tarleton
Stoop his lordly crest of pride;
Man, remembering how yon sleeper
Once he held upon his knee,
Ere she loved the gallant soldier,
Ralph Vervair, of Tennessee.

Still the south wind fondly lingers

'Mid the veteran's silvery hair; Still the bondman, close beside him, Stands behind the old arm-chair. With his dark-hued hand uplifted, Shading eyes, he bends to see Where the woodland, boldly jutting, Turns aside the Tennessee.

Thus he watches cloud-born shadows
Glide from tree to mountain crest,
Softly creeping, aye and ever,

To the river's yielding breast.
Ha! above the foliage yonder
Something flutters wild and free!
"Massa! Massa! Hallelujah!

The flag's come back to Tennessee!"

"Pompey, hold me on your shoulder, Help me stand on foot once more, That I may salute the colors

As they pass my cabin door. Here's the paper signed that frees you; Give a freeman's shout with me'God and Union!' be our watchword Evermore in Tennessee."

Then the trembling voice grew fainter,
And the limbs refused to stand;
One prayer to Jesus - and the soldier
Glided to that better land.

When the flag went down the river,

Man and master both were free, While the ring-dove's note was mingled With the rippling Tennessee.

INCIDENTS OF ROANOKE ISLAND. - Colonel Russell, of the Tenth Connecticut regiment, fell dead from his horse at the head of his regiment, while marching against the enemy. Strange as it may appear, not a scratch was found upon his body when examined, and his death must have come from the wind of a cannon ball, or from excitement.

Lieutenant-Colonel De Monteil, who volunteered in the assault upon the rebel battery, received his death wound while heading the advance, and while in the act of shouting: "Come on, boys! we'll show them how to fight!"

In the course of the action a shell burst on the United States gunboat Hetzel, and set her magazine on fire. Lieutenant Franklin, her executive officer, ordered the men to the magazine to extinguish the fire; but seeing that they hesitated, he took the hose in his own hands, and sprang down and extinguished the flames before they reached the powder.

A similar occurrence took place on board the Ceres, from the bursting of a gun, when ActingMaster Diarmaid sprang into the magazine and extinguished the fire.

A shell entered the coal-bunks of another of the steamers, setting them on fire. The flames were subdued after much difficulty, with but little damage to the vessel.

EXPLOITS OF CAPT. CARPENTER, OF

THE JESSIE SCOUTS."

THE secret history of any military campaign would be of absorbing interest; much more the secret story of our war. In all camps there are men whose occupation it is to gain for the commanding general information of the enemy's force, positions, and movements. Much depends on this; and the most successful generals have always been the best informed.

Brown's men," and participated in the attack on Harper's Ferry, where he escaped by crawling through a long culvert, or covered drain, which led from the famous engine-house to the river. The Captain does not love the slave lords; he has notions about the crime of claiming ownership in men which to some would seem extreme, and he certainly thinks almost anything good enough for a man-selling aristocrat who rebels against the Union.

The writer of this passed a few quiet hours In our own service, during the present war, with Capt. Carpenter lately, while the latter was the spy service has been performed by different an invalid from a severe wound received last fall classes of men. Some of our commanders have in Western Virginia. Some of the campaigning had the wit and fortune to secure the services of stories then heard will interest the reader, and men whose hearts were full of zeal for the Union will attract the sympathy of all who admire and of hatred for the slave aristocracy and their daring, skill, and invention - especially where, rebellion. Such men, when they have also the as in this case, all these faculties are sharpened activity, presence of mind, ingenuity, and cour- and vivified by a single-hearted and fiery devoage needed for this office, are the best that can tion to liberty and the Union. Capt. Carpenter be got. Such, we have reason to know, are the boasts, in a quiet way, that no army for which company known as the "Jessie Scouts," who first he has scouted has ever suffered from a "raid" served under Gen. Fremont in Missouri, after-in its rear, or has ever been surprised. He has wards in Tennessee under Grant, McClernand, an idea that such things cannot be done where and others, and again in Virginia under Fremont, trustworthy and zealous scouts are employed. Milroy, &c.

There is another class, hirelings, who serve not for the sake of the cause, but for the sake of the reward. Such men, too, are valuable; but a great commander seeks rather to use men who, from devotion to a principle, or else by reason of some personal wrong, are animated by enmity to the opposite side.

Our spy system has not always been well conducted, else Stuart's "raids" would not have become famous; else Jackson could not have made his march down the Valley; else Corinth could not have been secretly evacuated by Beauregard, nor Yorktown by Johnson, nor Winchester before the first battle of Bull Run, by the same officer. If we had an efficient spy service, Gen. McClellan would have known that after the battle of Fair Oaks, Richmond lay in his power; and Patterson would have held Johnson in check, or else followed him pell-mell into the first battle-field of Bull Run, and saved the day.

There is a story told of that first campaign in Virginia which does not redound to the credit of our military authorities. Some weeks before Bull Run, Patterson, it is said, sent a man as spy into Winchester. The fellow rode there, examined thoroughly the rebel camp, works, and forces, and returned with a full report. He was sent to Washington to get his pay, and when he got there, received from the officer under Gen. Scott, who attended to his case, the sum of twenty-five dollars, which did not pay the expenses of his journey. It is added that he swore he would go over to the enemy; probably he did. If spies and scouts were treated thus in our first Virginia campaign, no wonder Johnson got away from Patterson.

Probably no man in this war has lived through as many exciting and desperate adventures as Capt. Carpenter, who was leader of the "Jessie Scouts." He was originally one of "John

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"Did you ever see Price?" he was asked. He replied, "Several times."

Once he drove a team in Price's army two days, at the end of which time, unluckily, the team and wagon, and a negro who happened to be in it, ran away, "and curiously enough, never stopped till we got into our own lines," said the Captain, with a twinkle in his eye.

"The black man is working for himself now in Iowa, and I sold the mules to pay my expenses."

Once he rode down to the rebel pickets at Wilson's Creek, dressed as a woman, to deliver a letter to a supposititious brother in Price's army. He bears witness to the politeness of the rebel officer who escorted the lady half back to our lines. This trip was made because "the General" wanted to know precisely the position of a part of the rebel lines.

"After the surrender of Lexington," said the Captain, "Gen. Fremont suspected that the telegraph operators between Hannibal and St. Joseph were disloyal, and had given information to the enemy, and I was ordered to make an investigation. The fact was, however, the rebels had tapped' the wire. A woman in St. Louis told me. She asked me if I knew a rebel spy was in town. I asked who he was and what he did; and she replied that he had a telegraph apparatus on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, and had told her so. He was to see her and take her to a theatre that evening.

"I told her I would give her fifty dollars if she would say, when he came, that she was sick, and would not go. She agreed, and I arranged that she should introduce me to him as a rebel spy from Pillow's camp, which she did. I immediately gained his confidence. We drank wine together, and the fool told me everything. Soon he left the city, and I took one of my men with me, and off we started after him.

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