The following is transcribed from Harper's Weekly Journal of Civilization, dated November 9, 1861:

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THE ADVANCE UPON LEESBURG

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          Ox this page we publish an illustration of the CAMP OF A VIRGINIAN REGIMENT near Leesburg, Virginia, and a portrait of CoL. DEVENS, of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment; and on page 708 an engraving showing OUR ARMY AT EDWARD'S FERRY, preparing to cross the Potomac. General Stone crossed the Potomac on 21st on a pontoon brigade with 8000 men. Our illustration represents his army gathering at the Ferry before
crossing. At the same time a portion of the army crossed the river higher up with less success. The following extract from a letter in the Herald describes the affair :
          Colonel Devens, of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment, having received orders to advance with a detachment of his regiment to the Virginia shore, reinforcements having been promised him in case he should be attacked in force, made preparations accordingly, and on Monday morning last at one o'clock he crossed with five companies, viz .: Company A, Captain Rockwood: Company C, Captain Bowman; Company G, Captain Walter Forehand: Company H, Captain Chase Philbrick; and Company I, Captain George C. Joslin-in all about three hundred and fifty men-to an island in the Potomac called Harrison' Island. The passage to this place was effected in fat-boats. Arrived at the island, where Company H had been on picket duty, for a week previously, Colonel Devens was informed by Captain Philbriek, who had been making a reconnaissance a short time before of the Virginia shore, that the enemy was not in sight. He then ordered his men to cross to the shore, which act they accomplished by means of one flat-boat and one metallic boat-a process both slow and tedious.
          Colonel Devens landed on the shore without molestation, and proceeded to within about a mile of Leesburg without meeting the enemy. He then threw out Company II, Captain Philbrick, as skirmishers, who coon encountered a company of rebels, belonging to one of the Mississippi regiments. Captain Phiibrick fired upon them a volley, which the enemy returned, and then retreated, when Colonel Devens fell back to his first position on landing, and kept up a sort of skirmishing and bush fighting against 1500 to 1800 rebels for some hours. About one o'clock P.M. reinforeements came up, under command of Brigadier-General
Haker, with two howitzers and one brass twelve-pounder. The reinforcements cousisted of a part of the Twentieth Massachusetts, Colonel Lec; the New York Taimany regiment, and a part of the California regiment-in all about 1000 men. In the mean time the enemy had been immensely reinforced from Leesburg, to the number of between 5000 and 8000 men. The fighting was kept up until dark, having conmmienced about seven in the morning, with great loss on both sides. The Union forces were compelled to retreat, and to avoid leaving their guns and equipment in the hands of the enemy, they threw them into the river by order of their commanders. A large number of the Union men plunged into the river, and were shot while attempting to swim across. The enemy's cavalry made but one charge, and with that exception the whole battle was a bush fight, both sides exhibiting great bravery. The enemy's loss is large-supposed to be abont 500. They were thoroughly sheltered by the woods. All about our artillery were shot down. Our guns were spiked and thrown into the river. 

          Colonel Dovens was struck by a musket ball, and his life saved by the ball striking square upon one of the metallic buttons on his coat. In a word, our army was driven back with heavy loss. Oat of 1900 men who crossed the river, 700 were killed or missing, and 160 are wounded in hospital. History affords few examples of such
slaughter. General M'Clellan, in an order of the day referring to the battle, thanks the troops engaged, and

adds:
          The gallantry and discipline there displayed deserved a more fortunate result; but situated as those troops were, cut off alike from retreat and reinforcements, and attacked by an overwhelming force of from five thousand to seven thousand, it was not possible that the issue could be successful. Under happier auspices such devotion will insure victory. The General Commanding feels increased confidence in the troops composing General Stone's division. Our portrait of Colonel Devens is from a photograph sent us from Worcester, Massachusetts. It was taken just before the Colonel left New England on the three months' campaign as major of the 3d battalion of Massachusetts Rifles. All are agreed that Colonel Devens established his reputation as
a soldier by his conduct at this battle. Of the performance of his regiment, a correspondent of the
Tines says:

          If the report of the evolutions which took place under fire is correct, it is worth noting; especially the transfer of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment from left to right in perfect order, while in full retreat, and pressed by a victorious enemy, is certainly one of the most remarkable events that has occurred during this war. Their Colonel must have had unbounded confidence in them, or he never would have dared to have given the order. The oldest veterans can do nothing better than this. Such conduct is the last point of perfection reached by veterans after thorough drill, combined with long experience in the field of battle. I should have said, without the least hesitation, that the order for such a movement, while in retreat and under fire, to any volunteer regiment which had been only a few months in the field, would have been equivalent to an order to " break ranks." If the report be true, I doubt not the fact will receive honorable mention at the proper time. Such an example is worth more than the mere looker-on would at first support. It is moat suggestive, and sets one thinking.
          The Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts regiments are officered chiefly by young Harvard men, fresh from a life of wealth and ease; they showed at this battle the grit that is in them, and justified
the Lounger's motto, " New Eugland nerer Rans !"

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