Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-19
The Battle at Bethel Church.


This victory obtained by the North Carolina and
Virginia troops over so large Federal force on the
18th inst, at Bethel Church Va, has been pronoun-
ced by many as the greatest on record. 1t was GER
tainly great battle and glorious victory. No one
can doubt this, and yet some of our Virginia CO.
temporaries seem to have been hard to convince
that it was any victory at ALL The Richmond En-
dminer of the 18th, not even then assured of it.
And there does seem to have been reluctance on
the part of some to give the North Carolina troops
due credit. The Richmond Wing of the same date
however, in the following paragraph does our troops
justice:
"TuE OLD NORTH STATE--The North Carolina
Regiment covered itself with glory at the battle of
Bethel. After the enemy had got possession OF a
disabled HOwtzer gun, it was necessary to dSlodge
them The North Carolina boys undertook the task.
With bayonets fixed they advanced upon the foe
The charge only wanted one accessory to make 1t
as grand any charge in history. The Yankees
fled like shot wild ducks amid the derisve shouts OF
the advancing heroes. They had no idea OF coming
in contact with cold steel"
There can be no doubt that all did well, both Vir-
glnians and North Carolinians, officers and men,
Gen. Magruder was in command, and displayed
great ability. Col. Hill exhibited the utmost cool
ness, bravery and skill. Gov. Ellis proposes that
he be made Brgadier General. He has won it,
and no doubt merits it. Indeed all the officers and
the men won promotion.
Several incidents are said to have occurred, which
showed that every man in the ARRAY our side was
a soldier. None fnched quailed. 1t is said that
Col Hill on the advance of the enemy, sailed out
beyond his entertainments alone, and succeeded in
drawing the enemy's first fire, before he gave the
order to fire. Several companies were held in re-
serve, who witnessed the fight without being allow
ed to participate. To have obeyed orders under
such circumstances, required more cool courage
than to have rushed into the fight. How they must
| have painted to let slip the death dealing ball.
| In the attack in which COL Wardrop was killed,
flank movement was attempted by the enemy,
which CALAMITY repealed by the Charlotte Greys.
| Wardrop seeing his men driven back IN confusion
attempted to rally them when he was shot. There
are different statements about this affair; one ac-
count stating that he was shot by Fayetteville SOL
der, and another, by private Geo. Williams of the
Edgecombe Guards. The sword of Wardrop was
awarded to Williams.
! We incorrectly stated in our last, that Charles
Williams and Council Rodgers who were wounded
belonged to one of the Fayetteville companies
They belonged to the Edgecombe Guards. Not q
man of the Fayetteville companies was wounded.
Young Wyatt, the only man killed was one offivC
of the Edgecombe Guards who were called upon by
Capt. Bridgers to fire house in and around which
the enemy had sought shelter On attempting this
daring feat Wyatt was killed, shot entering his
forehead, when of his comrades it is said, mme
dlately shot the Hessian who killed Wyatt
! Perhaps the most gallant feat of the battle was
| performed by the Edgecombe Guards. One of the
! Richmond howitzers having been spiked by the
breaking of the wire in the touch-hole, it was aban
doned and the enemy took possession of it. Capt
Brdgers was ordered to retake it in the face Of it is
said 20OO the enemy. The Edgecombe Guards mum
boring only 81, ntrepidly marchedup to the charge
! driving the enemy before thOm and recovered the
! howitzer. The latest accounts speak confidently O
800 of the enemy having been killed 1t is alsC
said that the negroes in the neighborhoOd rushed tC
the battle, having procured shot guns, to fight the
| enemy.