Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-06-21
The Battle of Bethel.
Extract of a.sletter to. the Editor of the
Richmond Wing. dated

= Y ing OGdIAAC Ok hctASEs
Extract of a.sletter to. the Editor of the
Richmond Wing. dated
), YORKTOWN, June II.
We were very suddenly called from
this post on Thursday last, intelligence
having been received that morning to the
effect that the enemy was approaching from
below in great numbers, which intelligence
caused us to take up an immediate line OF
march, in order to meet and repel them. -
We, in company with the Richmond How
tiers. and about 1000 North. Carolina sol
diers, went. and in q very few hours were
pitching our brush tents near the Bethel
Church, about Is miles from this place,
and 9 miles from Hampton. We were en-
gagged during Friday and Saturd y in
throwing up breastworks, and blockading
roads in that vicinity. We. then being
ready for action, waited quietly until Sun
day night, when several signal guns were
fired, which aroused us from our sumbcrs.
and in less than ten minutes several of our
mounted videts came dashing, with foaming
-steeds into camp. with intelligence that the
enemy was rapidly advancing. and within
two or three miles Of Us. In less than ten
minutes more, every man was. at bis desige
mated post, ready for the fray, and about
20 minutes to 9 o'clock, A. NJ, on Mon
day, the enemy appeared. in solid column.
near 5000 men strong. and co;s1ing st $
very rapid pace, when the II ow itzers,
in command of Major Randolph, bro't their
pieces to bear with miraculous effect upon
the advancing enemy, causing them to fall
back break ranks, and take to- the woods
near BY, they, however. carrying their
cannon with them, and bringing them to
bear on our battery from within the woods
A general cannonading then commenced.
which lasted about three hours. The can
nonading having ceased for time, the en-
envy rallied with shout, emerged quickly
from the woods, made desperate charge
on our batteries. and attempted to cut off
our right flank, Ga position which was sus-
tanned By the company Of which | have the
honor to be theihber, cad portion of the
North Carolina Regi1nento which brought
them fully within the range of our musket-
ry. when We poured heavy volley into
them, which caused many q Yankee to bite
the duet. We played on them for some
time with our muskets and rifles, when the
Howitsers Grave. fellows and good guns.
were again. brought into action which plays
ed sad havoc in the ranks of the enemy, end
caused them to beat hasty retreat at dou-
bic quick time. They were followed holly
by two small companies of cavalry who
pursued them until they had crossed Hamp~
ton bridge, and were fully under the cover
Of Fortress Monroe's guns The battle last
ed about six hours, with loss to us Of one
killed and FIVE WOUNDED, and loss to The
enemy Of Gas well as we could estirnate)
near three hundred killed and wounded -
Men we're detailed from each of our compa-
MES, and they went forth to the field and
woods and buried those Of the enemy whose
fortune it vas to fall, as well aa hey could
under the circumstances. The remains Of
the unfortunate but brave ahd heroic Vir.
ginian whose sad lot it was to fall, in our
ranks, were this morning sent to his moth
er and sisters. who reside on Union Hill.
His nsnneis Wyatt has been living in North
Carolina for some time, and was member
of the North Carolina Regiment.
There were only four companies of Col.
Augustus command in this engagement, as
follows: Company A. Captain Atkinson !;
the Virginia Life Guard, Captain Walker;
Young Guard, Captain Charters, and the
Henrico Southern Guard, Captain Chidrey.
These four compat1ies and the Hovitzers,
and the Old North State Regiment, beha-
we'd nobly and Inanfally
About shutdown yesterday, (the day Of
the battlo.) fatigued and exhaustedas we
we're, We started for This place. q Is miles
distant, whele we arrived 10 safety about
IL or 1o'clock that light. ). 49, ~,
There we're in the action abont 1900
Southern eoldiers. and between four thous-
and Eve hundred and FIVE thousand Federal
soldiers. .as deserter f1o,n them. who came
to Us. and prayed for protection, informed
us There were not more than three or four
hundred of our men engaged at any ore
time in this battle though all Of us had
hand in it. Verify Providence has smiled
on US, and feel that the Almighty is with
us in our cause"
IS -. -
Extract Of letter to the Ed.to. Of The