1861 Oct[ober 22] Artillery Camp Near Centreville

Tuesday Night 9 P.M.

I sent a letter to the office for you from this place this mor-
ning My dear Lucy [Mrs. Cary Cocke, since which some good news has reached us
here of which I hasten to inform you. A courier arrived this
afternoon giving intelligence at "Head Quarters" that a battle
was fought yesterday morning at Mason's Island on the
Potomac near Leesburg about which place the enemy at-
tempted to cross as I understand with some 8 or 10 regiments to
attack Genl Evans who was in command of some 15 hundred
men on our side at Leesburg. The enemy made an attempt to cross
the river to the island some three miles long & 1/2 mile wide as I
am informed, & from the island to gain footing on our side by
boats, I do not learn what force effected a landing but it is
reported some 15000 or 2 thousand including a battery of 6 pieces
The engagement it is said commenced at 4 o clock yesterday morning
Genl Evans commanding on our side the 17th & 18th Mississipi re-
giments & the 8th Virginia, & the fight was a severe one & resulted
in our taking 520 prisoners, and a loss on our side of 300 killed
& wounded, of which number the loss in killed is 75. the loss
in killed on part of the enemy is not reported. The brigade
which made fight on part of our enemies was commanded by
Genl Edward C. Baker late senator from Oregon an incorrigible
abolitionist who has played out his part & fell in the action with
5 balls to give him his quietus--he belonged to Genl Banks
Division of the Federal Army. The prisoners taken were marched
down the road near by some 4 miles distance, & several of-

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ficers from this Camp went out at 4 oclock to see them
as they passed down the road where they were halted to get
a relief guard of 300 men to attend the to Manassas Jun-
ction whence they will be carried by rail to Richmond & put
at work I hope on the city defences. Capt Dance[?] and the
now Lieut Powell went out to see the prisoners as they passed
& I have just had from them a description of their appearance
they left Leesburg on foot last night (30 miles distance from where
these gentlemen met them)about 2 oclock & reached the Sudly
road about the time [?] got them at 5 P.M. today the prisners
were marching in double files on foot & of course disarmed, with
a file of soldiers on each side--among them were several officers
of rank two Colonels with several Captains & Lieuts. The account
as it reached us states 6 field pieces were taken & rumored[?] that there
are now 700 men of the federal forces invading who are left on
our side of the river & seeking to get back, but their boats have been
burnt or sunk & their means of return has been cut off [?] [?]
[?] they will be taken in a day or two --if we hear them &
go after them. Reinforcements of 2 regiments & 12 pieces of the
Washington Artillery of New Orleans have been sent as a reinforcement to Genl Evans
& we may yet hear something more important[?] in a day or two. It
is said the purpose on part of our enemies was [?] to attack us
at this place at Norfolk & [?] yesterday --but the
advance on their part has not yet been made--The prisoners after 2 hours
rest were marched down to Manassas Junction so they have had a
heavy march as the roads are very wet & sloppy by reason of heavy
rain last night & today--I wish I could give you a fuller

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account of the matter but I can get no more then what I have written
you tho we should hear full account tomorrow. Mr P says the men
a well dressed & in a good uniform of the Federal Govermt with good
overcoats, they all seemed much gaffed & well they might with
such roads as they have had to march over.

My brother [Genl. Philip St. George Cocke] rode in from his camp this afternoon
and stayed one hour or to He is very well and [?] [?] [?]
him And has moved his brigade some miles or so to a better
location so as to have his men within "the lines"
[The above paragraph is scratched out and rewritten over the lines]
I shall look to get a letter from you before very long
give my best love to Sally [his sister] Papa [General John H. Cocke] the Dr [Sally's husband] with many kisses
to our precious Lelia--I now write kind remembrance to the
servants I am as ever[?] your most truly & devotedly
Cary C. Cocke

[letter will conclude on the 25th]

MSS 640