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the hands of the foe, and saved themselves as they could by swimming, floating on logs, or by concealing themselves in bushes and forests to make their way up and down the river, back to a place of crossing.

A correspondent present who appears to have been in General Stone's confidence, wrote:

While these scenes were being enacted on the right, General Stone was preparing for a rapid push forward to the road by which the enemy would retreat if driven, and entirely unsuspicious of the perilous condition of the troops on the right. The additional artillery had already been sent in anticipation, and General Stone was told by a messenger from Baker's position, that the Colonel could, with

out doubt, hold his own in case he did not advance. Half an hour later-say at half-past three P. M.—a similar statement was made by another messenger from Colonel Baker, and it was the expectation of

General Stone that an advance on the right would be made, so that he could push forward General Gorman. It was, as had been explained to Colonel Baker, impracticable to throw Gorman's brigade directly to the right, by reason of the battery in the wood, between which we had never been able to

reconnoitre."

This confidence in Baker's success is confirmed by the collateral evidence of Stone having telegraphed to General Banks a request for a brigade with which to occupy the Virginia side of the river, opposite Harrison's Island.

It was not, it would appear from official statements, until five P. M., that a messenger arrived from the field announcing to Stone the news of Colonel Baker's death. The messenger (Captain Canby) did not even then report a reverse, but complained that reenforcements were slow. Stone telegraphed word of Baker's loss to General Banks, and then hastened to the right to assume command. Before he reached the point opposite the island, evidences of disaster began to be met, in men who had crossed the river by swimming. Reaching the landing, the fact was asserted in a manner leaving no possible doubt. It was reported to the General that the enemy's force was ten thousand, that they were carrying all before them and would doubtless secure the island. His efforts were at once directed to the island's safety. He

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One on the ground wrote; After Colonel Devens' second advance, Colonel Baker seems to have gone to the field in person, but he has left no record of what officers and men he charged with the care of the boats, and insuring the regular passage of the troops. If any one was charged with this duty, it was not performed, for it appears that the reenforcements, as they arrived, found no system enforced, and the boats were delayed most unnecessarily in transporting back, a few at a time, the wounded that happened to arrive with attendants. Had an efficient officer been in charge at each landing, with one company guarding the boats, their full capacity would have been made serviceable, and sufficient men would have passed on to secure the success of his operation. The forwarding of artillery (necessarily a slow process) before its supporting force of infantry, also impeded the rapid assembling of an im posing force on the Virginia shore. The infantry which was waiting with impatience should have been first transported, and this alone would have made a difference in the infantry line at the time of attack of at least one thousand men--enough to have turned the scale in our favor."

The losses of the Federals, in this affair, never were accurately ascertained. About seventy were killed; as many were drowned and shot in the water; over one hundred and fifty were wounded; and about four hun

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The Ball's Bluff Disaster.

It is painful to contemplate the full extent of this disaster. It was a defeat, but that was not the worst result: the slaughter which followed the defeat-the bravery and devotion which drove men into the swollen torrent, to perish by drowning and by being shot in the water-the swamping in mid stream of the flat-boat heavily ladened with the wounded, by which the agonies of two deaths were meted out to the doomed heroes -the dispersion of the army into small squads up and down the stream to be hunted like wild beasts-all form a picture over which men may be excused for weeping. It was one of the most distressing events of a distressing war.

As to the responsibility of the movement made, and of the surprise, the following orders will afford due light; they were found in the Colonel's hat, underneath the lining. Both were deeply stained with his blood. One of the bullets, which went through his head, carried away a corner of the first : EDWARDS' FERRY, Oct. 21st, 1861. "Colonel E. D. Baker, Commander of Brigade:

· Colonel: In case of heavy firing in front of Harrison's Island, you will advance the California regiment of your brigade, or retire the regiments under Colonels Lee and Devens, now on the (almost rendered illegible by blood) Virginia side of the river, at your discretion-assuming command on arrival. *The N. Y. Herald stated the losses as follows: Killed. 223

"Yours, respectfully and truly, CHARLES P. STONE, "Brigadier-General Commanding," The surprise was owing principally to the unusual sagacity exercised by the rebel General. His secresy of movement and of disposition-his effective arrangements for luring the Federal forces into danger-were such as to accomplish his ends despite the very careful and suspicious advances of his adversary. It was owing, secondarily, to Baker's neglect to read the second dispatch. The answer of Colonel Cogswell: "All right-go ahead!" served to reassure the commanding Colonel, and induced him to advance where advance was ruin. But, that does not relieve him from the responsibility incurred it was his duty to have read the dispatch of his superior and directing officer, even in the midst of battle.

The movement, itself, over the river, is open for stricture; but, the care shown by General Stone to guarantee a success-the orders above recorded-prove the falsity and absurdity of the charges of " disloyalty," "reckless disregard of life," &c., &c., freely

placed, upon the list of retired officers of the army of the United States, without reduction in his current pay, subsistance or allowance.

"WINFIELD SCOTT."

This resignation, though it had long been apprehended owing to the inability of the veteran to sustain the extraordinary pressure of duty devolving upon him, [see page 465,] was received with surprise by the people if not by the Administration. So long had Scott been the responsible and acting head of the army-so able had been his conduct of his office-so thoroughly had he won the confidence and love of the great mass of his countrymen, that his withdrawal from duty was, for the time-being, regarded as a calamity. Weighed down with age, longing for repose, still the nation, in its hour of peril, could not forego the wish that he might serve a little longer, adding the force of his great influence, the charm of his noble fame, to the cause of the Union. But, it could not be. Either the cares of office must be laid aside or life itself-so long had the Generalin-Chief labored at his post.

A special Cabinet meeting assembled on the morning of Nov. 1st, to take into consideration the subject of the resignation, when it was decided to grant the request, in view of the General's evident inability to discharge the important duties of his office. The question of his successor was discussed, and it was decided to advance General McClellan to the position of General-in-Chief.

The incidents connected with Scott's re

tirement are so interwoven with the history of the time, that we make place for the addresses which passed between the Executive and the retiring Chief.

During the afternoon (Nov. 1st) the Cabinet again waited upon the President, and attended him to the residence of General Scott. Being seated, the President read to the General the following order:

"The American people will hear with sadness and deep emotion that General Scott has withdrawn from the active control of the army, while the Pres ident and unanimous Cabinet express their own and the nation's sympathy in his personal affliction, and their profound sense of the important public services rendered by him to his country during his long and brilliant career, among which will ever be gratefully distinguished his faithful devotion to the constitution, the Union and the flag, when assailed by parricidal rebellion.

"ABRAHAM LINCOLN." General Scott thereupon rose and addressed the President and Cabinet, who had also risen,

as follows:

PRESIDENT: This honor overwhelms me. It over

pays all services I have attempted to render to my country. If I had any claims before, they are all obliterated by this expression of approval by the President, with the remaining support of his Cabinet. I know the President and this Cabinet well. I know that the country has placed its interests in this trying crisis in safe keeping. Their counsels are wise, their labors are as untiring as they are loyal, and their course is the right one.

President, you must excuse me. I am unable to stand longer to give utterance to the feelings of gratitude which oppress me. In my retirement I shall offer up prayers to God for this administration and for my country. I shall pray for it with confidence in its success over all enemies, and that speedily."

In official answer to his request, to be placed upon the retired list, the Secretary of War addressed Scott the following response: "WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Nov. 1st, 1861. "GENERAL: It was my duty to lay before the President your letter of yesterday, asking to be re

lieved under the recent act of Congress. In separating from you I cannot refrain from expressing my deep regret that your health, shattered by long

service and repeated wounds received in your country's defense, should render it necessary for you to retire from your high position at this momentous period of your history. Although you are not to remain in active service, yet I hope that while I continue in charge of the department over which I now preside, I shall at times be permitted to avail myself

of the benefits of your wise counsels and sage experience. It has been my good fortune to enjoy a personal acquaintsnce with you for over thirty years, and the pleasant relations of that long time have been greatly strengthened by your cordial and entire co-operation in all the great questions which have occupied the department and convulsed the country for the last six months. In parting from you, I can only express the hope that a merciful Providence that has protected you amid so many trials will improve your health, and continue your life long after the people of the country shall have been restored to their former happiness and prosperity.

"I am, General, very sincerely, your friend and servant,

}

"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, Nov. 1st, 1861. "In accordance with General Order No. 94, from the War Department, I hereby assume command of the armies of the United States.

"In the midst of the difficulties which encompass and divide the nation, hesitation and self-distrust may well accompany the assumption of so vast a responsibility; but, confiding as I do in the loyalty, discipline and courage of our troops, and believing as I do that Providence will favor ours as the just cause, I cannot doubt that success will crown our efforts and sacrifices.

"The army will unite with me in the feeling of regret that the weight of many years, and the effect of increasing infirmities, contracted and intensified in his country's service, should just now remove from our head the great soldier of our nation, the hero who, in his youth, raised high the reputation of his country in the fields of Canada, which he

sanctified with his blood, who in more mature years proved to the world that American skill and valor could repeat, if not eclipse, the exploits of Cortez in the land of the Montezumas, whose whole life had been devoted to the service of his country, whose whole efforts have been directed to uphold our honor at the smallest sacrifice of life; a warrior who scorned the selfish glories of the battle field when his great qualities as a statesman could be employed more profitably for his country; a citizen whose declining years have given to the world the most shining instances of loyalty in disregarding all ties of birth and clinging still to the cause of truth and honor. Such has been the career and charac ter of Winfield Scott, whom it has long been the delight of the nation to honor, both as a man and as a soldier. While we regret his loss there is one thing we cannot regret-the bright example he has left for our emulation. Let us all hope and pray that his declining years may be passed in peace and happiness, and that they may be cheered by the suc cess of the country and the cause he has fought for and loved so well. Beyond all that, let us do nothing that can cause him to blush for us; let no defeat of the army he has so long commanded embitter his last years, but let our victories illuminate the close of a life so grand.

"GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, "Major-General Commanding U. S. A." This indicated the extent of the young General's powers; he was virtual Commander-in-Chief of the entire Army of the Union. The destiny of the country was com mitted to his keeping. A greater trust never was confided to a younger man; nor does his tory show a greater trust reposed in one who had done comparatively so little to prove his fitness for the trust. Time alone could determine if he was equal to his responsibilities -if he was the leader for the crisis.

"TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL STONE, Poolesville :