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which led up to their defeat and complete rout.
The means of transportation, for advance in support or for a retreat
were criminally deficient,—especially when we consider the facility for creating proper means for such purposes, at our disposal.
The place for landing on the
Virginia side was most unfortunately selected, being at a point where the shore rose with great abruptness, for a distance of some 150 yards, at an angle of at least 35 degrees, and was entirely studded with trees, being entirely impassable to artillery or infantry in line.
At the summit the surface is undulating, where the enemy were placed in force, out of view, and cut down our troops with a murderous fire, which we could not return with any effect.
The entire island was also commanded by the enemy's artillery and rifles.
In fact, no more unfortunate position could have been forced upon us by the enemy for making an attack,—much less selected by ourselves.
Within a half mile, upon either side of the points selected a landing could have been effected where we could have been placed upon equal terms with the enemy, if it was necessary to effect a landing from the island.
My judgment, however, cannot approve of that policy which multiplies the number of river crossings, without any compensation in securing commanding positions thereby.
Respectfully submitted,
Company K of the Nineteenth Regiment had a most interesting part in the fight at Edward's Ferry, aside from the conflict at Ball's Bluff.
On Monday morning, October 21, two pieces of Rickett's battery crossed at Edward's Ferry with 30 men of the New York VanAllan cavalry.
These were followed by the First Minnesota, part of the Twentieth New York, the Seventh Michigan and Thirty-fourth New York. One company of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, Company K, (the Tiger Zouaves), under Capt. Wass and Major Howe, and the Andrew Sharpshooters, under Capt. Saunders, of Salem, also crossed the river.
The whole command was under Brig. Gen. Gorman, and the object was to make a reconnoissance along Goose Creek.
