The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-17

As far az / have heard, the object of the ex-
petition mas been accom- plis he'd, and before
this our forces, which have been hea vii Y REIN
forced, are in possession of Big Bethel, nine
miles from Hampton. The enetny have been
erecting strong fortincations at that point,
but had not completed them.
NO details have reached of the action,
and must await them before l can give fur
| Their details.
Gen. Pierce has no orders TO hold Great
| iIetfel. and it is thought they will soon re-
| turn after destroying the position.
ien. Butler was busy keeping open com
nun iCation with the post.
| The conduct OF the men has been IN oat adj.
| mirAbie under the hottest fire. The Naval
| Brigade received the highest compliment for
| their efficient conduct. In working the boats
| they were OF the greatest service throughout
/ the night and day.
LaTgR-The contest at Great Bethel was
| more severe than was at first apprehended
| Tho enemy we're so strongly pntrenchsd in
| and pro tected by batteries that after more than
| two hours and Il half severe lighting, our am
| munltiun giving out, We were Obliged 10 fan
| back, which We did III perfect order.
| The details near as can be III confusion
| ascTrtaiued, are as follows
! Rrigadier General Pierce, with the lst I'd
| and 3d New ork, from this post. joined with
de'achments from Newport News icom the
+ti MasSacEU setts, LIST Vermont, ami TN and
! 9th New FORK, with two light field pieces I'M
! de: Lieut. GrebIe, and a squad OF regulars,
| drive into The enemy. numbering 900 men,
| and soon came on their posi- don, protected by
| the fire OF siA heavy batteries, noun tel with
| Is and l2-ponnd hosit1eTs and heavy cIiled
| cannon. Ihe engagement Immediately be-
came warm, the guns under Lieut.. CREOLE re-
| turning the Intensely hot IIre from the enc
my's battery.
After some time Gen. Pierce gave the order
| to charge on The battery, ana Col Duryea's
Aouaves galitutly marched in quick time
1 IA
| tte battery, when L broad ditch interviewed
| wni1.l could not be passed aud the gallant
| lads fell hack
Col. Townscnd's regiment MISC went nearly
to the pa tttry, but meeting the same obstruC-
ton, were also compelled Ia etire,
After over t"o hours hot contest the am
munltiou for the Held pieces ard the u KeJs
gave out, and tne Order was gwen TO retire,
which was effected IN perfect order and
safety.
Want OF time prevents any details ~ Ia
nent the loss oil Lieut.. GIoLie, of the | Nj
led States Artiliery--One Of tue most BRAY 9,
gallant, and chIVatrous officers IL tina 4eI-
vice-who died bgayeiy 1T his gun from
cannon shot, which struck HIM in The fore
head, killing HIM instantly.
Our loss lii killed and WoEuG6d Il about 70.
Fhe epeny's loss was heavy. Every one
on our side behaved most brave and dad
| their duty.
THE NEW YORK HERALD'S ACCOUNT.
A letter from Newport New to the New
York Herald, after relating the manner in
which the Federalists peppered each other,
goes on 10 say:
After this most unfortunate calamity the
forces joined and marched towards Bethel,
before reaching which, and within TWO miles
of the town, Il locality called Little Bethel
was searched, cleared OF rebels, and burnt.
shortly after leaving the place they fell in
with the eneply's plckets, who were driven in,
and AZ they were approaching the town and
near the bank Of 4 creek which separated them
| from tie town, 4 concealed battery -udieniy
! opened upon them with fearful effect, the
| first shot killing three of Colonel BenpdiX :
| msn. QaE forces came up to the creek, the ar
| tiilery IN hhe centre and inflntry on The right
and left, and opened fire upon them across The
creek, a distance OF about one hundred yards.
| The rebels, thought to number eighteen hun
| Grr q men, had rlfpd cannon and Minnie rifles,
| which they used with TAI tai effect on our men
| 4 bridge formerly IN exls tanCp had been
| burned, and the locality rendered it lmpOs ST.
| hie tor our forces to make Il flank movement.
| Our troops fought hravely, under great dis
| advantages OF position. After ngbtlGg for
| two or three hours in this way. the Federal
| forces Withdrew, and the firing ceased on 10 n
| sides, our artillery ammunition having been
exhausted. The loss our side - about 70
| killed and WOuuded. Lieut.. Grehle was
| killed. Major Winthrop, aid to Gen, Butler,
| l. also supposed 10 hr dead. Upon our troops
| retiring, the enemy burned their works, APP
ptrenuy intending 10 fall back upon foIH-
town.
many considered i'm politicians spread Il dee y
gloom over the regiments, each Of which has
| a share in the killed and wounded. BrIgadier
General Pierce, who commanded the eX p-di
ton, is blamed, and charged with lacking
| skin and Judgement in the management.
| The troops ut Newport News are in fine con-
dition and spirits, anxious for fight, but are
| almost hopeless Of meeting the enemy IN an
| open field fight, where they are cuutdeD !
they could drive them TO the four winds. A
Bri2adier General i badly needed 1t the
! Newport News camp, where nve regimen Is
are stationed. and no recognized author ized
| local commander.
THE RICHEST OF ALL.
The following appears III some OF the New
| York papers. / was evidently designed to
| remove from the public mind, by the publi-
! cation OF this mons tr1u US lie, the sting OF de-
| feat; for there is no trick 10 which tho New
| York journals will not descend
| late and HiJhlg mp"rtdMt-cFpturc Of the
Rebel Batteries al Gfent Bethtl b. Gen But
fer-Oa6 Thousand Rybsk PRISON srS TILtB :
WAsHISHroS, J uue IL A. NJ.
| i special messenger aTTi yed hour since
| from Fortress Monroe, bringing the in teiii-
| gence that Gen. Butter this morning proceed
| ed, with q large reinforcement, TO Great Be
| thei, and after :. severe fight captured III sir
| batteries, one OF seven, and the masked bat.
terry of fourteen guns, and also took one thou
Il