When Nathan Evans discovered that Gen. Beauregard was unhappy about the move that left Leesburg vulnerable, he marched his brigade back to its original defensive line.1
Gen. Charles Stone received McClellan’s telegram about 11:00 a.m. on October 20 and had two of his brigades in motion by that afternoon. Gen. Willis Gorman’s brigade, along with the 7th Michigan and some cavalry, moved to Edwards Ferry, which was already occupied by Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery (now under Lt. George Woodruff). A battalion of the 20th Massachusetts, the 42nd New York, and a section of Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Artillery (under Capt. Thomas Vaughn) made their way upriver to Conrad’s Ferry. Four companies of the 15th Massachusetts moved to a point on the Maryland side of the river opposite Harrison’s Island and Ball’s Bluff; another company was already on the island.
Stone knew Evans’ scouts were watching these movements, but that they might not be enough to encourage him to abandon Leesburg. In a bolder move, Stone pushed two companies of the 1st Minnesota across the river at Edwards Ferry shortly before dusk. The Minnesota troops remained on enemy soil for only about fifteen minutes before returning to the Maryland shore. It is doubtful whether most of the men even left the boats, but those who did flushed out several Confederate pickets—enough to get the word to Evans that Federal troops had crossed the river. Satisfied he had performed the ordered feint, Stone ordered most of his troops back to their original camps.2
While the two companies of the 1st Minnesota shipped back to the Maryland shore at Edwards Ferry, Capt. Chase Philbrick was rowing in the opposite direction near Harrison’s Island with about twenty volunteers of the 15th Massachusetts to see if the demonstration had triggered a Confederate withdrawal. When he reached the Virginia side, Philbrick led his men downriver, made his way up the path to the top of the bluff, then moved cautiously in the direction of Leesburg. It was dark when he reached a slight ridge about three-fourths of a mile from the river and two miles from Leesburg, where the full moon revealed what appeared to be an enemy camp in the distance. The Federals edged within 130 yards of the camp, which appeared to be unprotected. Deciding he had gleaned enough information, Philbrick ordered his men back to the boats. He reached Harrison’s Island about 10:00 p.m. “A very nice little military chance seemed to have been brought out by that reconnaissance,” wrote Stone. “News was brought that there was a small camp without pickets. And it seemed to me one of those pieces of carelessness on the part of the enemy that ought to be taken advantage of.” Although he was not in a position to launch a full-scale operation across the river, Stone could send a strong raiding party.3
Stone ordered Col. Charles Devens to recross the river with four companies of his 15th Massachusetts (he took across five companies, about 300 green troops), and attack the enemy camp at first light. While Devens was moving, Col. William Lee was to march to the Maryland side opposite Ball’s Bluff with two companies of his 20th Massachusetts (about 100 men) and two mountain howitzers and provide assistance, if needed. Col. Edward D. Baker, commander of the California Brigade (later called the Philadelphia Brigade) received orders at 12:45 a.m. to march at once for Conrad’s Ferry, and arrive there no later than sunrise.
To divert the enemy’s attention from the landing at Ball’s Bluff, Stone ordered a feint at Edwards Ferry. Thirty-four men of the 3rd New York Cavalry and two companies of the 1st Minnesota recrossed the Potomac River there about 7:00 a.m. on October 21. Recent showers had swollen the river, making its currents treacherous and fording dangerous, at best. Boats were pressed into service for the endeavor. Stone was able to rustle up a small, four-oared “whale-boat” that could carry about 16 men. This, with the two skiffs used by Philbrick, swelled the number of men that could be transported during each trip to 30-35.