W. A. Gorman to Charles Stewart, October 26, 1861

October 26, 1861.

: ; October 26, 1861.

I have the honor to communicate to the general commanding the division the facts and events connected with my brigade in the advance across the Potomac, made under his orders. On the 20th instant I received orders to detach two companies of the First Minnesota Regiment to cover à reconnaissance on the Virginia side of the Potomac, whereupon Colonel Dana sent forward Companies E and K, who crossed the river, but were soon recalled. On the morning of thé’£1st two other companies of the same regiment crossed and covered the advance of a cavalry party under Major Mix, at the same time driving in the enemy’s piekets.* Orders were received by me to have the Second New York State Militia and First Minnesota Volunteers at Edwards Ferry on Monday, the 21st instant, at daylight, or as near that hour as possible. These two regiments arrived there at the time specified. I also ordered . the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers to proceed to the same point at as early an hour as possible from Seneca Mills, 8 miles distant. “They arrived with great promptitude at 11 o’elock. During that day and night (the 21st) the entire brigade crossed the river, numbering about 2,250 men. : i

Just about the time I got the first regiment across a severe battle commenced near Conrad’s Ferry, distant 5 or 6 miles. Before the brigade got over news of a repulse of our troops at Conrad’s Ferry reached the general commanding, who sent me an order in writing to ‘” commençe intrenchments immediately” on the Virginia side. With the utmost dispatch intrenching tools were placed in the hands of the

Seventh Michigan Regiment (whose guns were almost worthless), who did good service, and very soon rifle-pits were dug and other intrenchments begun. From the commencement of the crossing on Monday 1 was ordered in command of the troops at the Ferry and in charge of the means-and manner of disposing of them as the re-enforcements” arrived; also of crossing them over the river. On the arrival of MajorGeneral Banks on the 22d I received the same order from him. I seized all the canal-boats within 2 miles of the Ferry—above and below—and

all the flat, scow, and row boats to be found, and put:seven canal-boats `~

and two scow-boats into the Potomac from the canal, placing them in charge of Captain Foote, quartermaster of the Second New York State Militia, who managed the crossing with great energy, so that by Tuesday, 22d instant, at 10 o’clock a. m., we had crossed 4,500 men, 110 or more of Van Alen’s Cavalry, and two 12-pounder howitzers of Ricketts’ battery, immediately under the charge of Lieutenants Kirby and Woodruff.» About 4 o’clock on the 22d instant the enemy was seen advancing upon us in force. They immediately, and with great spirit and deter’mination, attacked our outposts near the woods adjacent to Goose Creek, to the left and in front of our lines, and about 3 miles from Leesburg. They numbered over 3,000 infantry, with some cavalry in

~ * Reference to this skirmish is in General Stone’s report (October 29) of Ball’s Bluff, No. 2, p. 293.

reserve. Our forces met the attack with equal firmness, and for a short. time the firing was rapid, when the two pieces of artillery opened upon the enemy a well-directed fire, doing fearful execution, causing them to give way in confusion and make a hasty return within their breastworks near Leesburg, suffering a loss of 60 killed and wounded, as ascertained from their wounded and from citizens in the vicinity. The loss in my brigade is one killed and one severely wounded, both belonging to Company I, First Minnesota Volunteers.

On the 23d, by the general’s orders, I directed further intrenchments around the White house near the enemy’s works. -I also had the fences, yard, and lane barricaded, and strengthened with logs, rails, old plows, – wagons, and lumber. On the night of the 23d, about 7 o’clock, the general ordered me again to proceed to the Maryland side, and take charge of thegcrossing of artillery and more troops. On arriving I started across four more pieces of artillery. A storm of wind which had been prevailing nearly all day seemed to forbid the possibility of further re-enforcements from this side. Provisions were. getting Short; the artillery on the Virginia shore were short of ammunition ; the wind was setting strongly from the Virginia shore; the means of transportation were heavy scows and clumsy canal-boats, managed by poles, when at 8 o’clock p. m. I received notice from Major-General Banks that General McClellan had ordered the withdrawal of the whole force from the Virginia to the Maryland side, and orders to proceed quietly, but with all energy, to make the arrangements necessary on the Maryland side, and directed me to call to this work the boatmen and lumbermen of the First Minnesota Volunteers, as it was evident that every- _ thing depended on the energy, courage, and muscles of the boatmen to contend against the adverse wind-storm. This’ detail was made, to which was added 100 men from Colonel Kenly’s Maryland regiment, 100 more from the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers, and 150 from the Seventh Michigan Regiment. The plan being matured, the seemingly impossible enterprise was entered upon with a spirit and energy that knew “no such word as fail,” and between 9 o’elock p.m. of the 23d and 5 o’clock a. ni. of the 24th every man, horse, and piece of artillery was safely withdrawn from the Virginia shore, and landed on thisside again without an accident or the loss of a man or a horse, except — the casualty of the fight. The fortitude, endurance, and energy displayed by the men detailed to perform this work deserve the highest commendation. The Minnesota lumbermen performed their part with such skill as to merit special notice. The courage and coolness of the officers and men of my brigade, in most part, as exhibited in their erossing the river, engaging the enemy, and their orderly withdrawal across again, give reliable assurance of their efficiency. “

It may not be improper here to state that the result of this movement

as a reconnaissance must prove highly beneficial to any future movement in that direction. Each order was strictly followed, and the desired result accomplished. : Trusting that I have performed satisfactorily the somewhat difficult and responsible duty to which General Stone and General Banks as- – signed me, I am,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General.

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No. 14.