FIGHT AT BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
The extreme left of the Confederate line now lay near Leesburg, on the
Potomac. On the 8th of October, Major Gould crossed the river at
Harpers Ferry for the purpose of seizing a quantity of wheat, and when
about to recross, on the 16th, he was attacked by a force of Confederates
on Bolivar Heights, and, at the same time, a battery of artillery opened
fire from Loudon Heights, within cannon range of the Ferry. Then a
cavalry charge was made, but was repulsed by the 13th Massachusetts
regiment, under Colonel Schriber. Major Gould had sent for reinforcements,
and Lieutenant Martin with a battery of artillery now arrived
upon the scene. Unlimbering his guns in the street, he poured such
a destructive fire upon the Heights that the line stationed there began
to waver, and by a bayonet charge on the part of the Federals were
compelled to retreat and leave the field, with a loss of 100 killed and
wounded. A few days later an engagement took place at Balls Bluff, in
which Colonel Baker, a United States ex-senator from Massachusetts,
was killed and the Federal troops defeated with great slaughter.
