The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-03
COL HR, full Official Report Of The Battle al
Bethel Church. Tirgiaia.
State OF North Carolina, Ev. Dep, 4
Raleigh, June ~, 1851. )

State OF North Carolina, FL. Dep,1
Raleigh June ~, 1851. )
To the Honorable The President
and Members Of the Convention;
GENTLEMEN Herewith transmit dis
patch from Gen. ID. II. Hill, giving further
interesting details OF the battle at Bethel
Church.
Too much praise cannot be accorded TO
our brave soldiers who were engaged in that
action. will, at an early day, as far as my
power extends, manifest the public approval
Of their gallantry and good conduct upon
the occasion referred to, by suitable promo
tons. Respectfully submitted.
JOHN w. ELLIS.
Hon. J. w. ELLIS. Gopsrnor Of North Carolina.
SlR:-l have the honor to report that. in
obedience to the orders from the Colonel
comm anding, | marched on the 9th instant,
with nv regiment and four pieces Of Maj
Randolph's Battery, from Yorktown. on the
Hampton Road, to Bethel Church, nine miles
from Hampton. We reached there after
dark, on wet night, and slept without tents.
Early on the morning Of The 7th, made a
reconnaissance Of the groond preparatory TO
fighting. | found branch OF Back River
in our front, and encirciing our right flank.
On our left was dense aud almost inpassa-
bic wood, except about l50 yards of old field.
The breadth Of the road. thick wood, and a
narrow cultivated field. covered our rear.
The nature Of the ground determined me to
make an enclosed work, and had the inyal-
liable aid OF Lieut.. COL Lee, Of my Regiment,
in its plan and construction. Our position
had the inherent defect of being commando!
by an immense field immediately in front OF
it, upon which the masses Of the enemy might
be readily deployed. Presenting that an at
tempt would be make to carry the bridge,
across the stream, battery was made for its
especial protection, and Maj. Randolph plac-
ed his guns so as to sweep all the approach
es TO il. The occupation OF two command
ing eminences beyond the creek and on our
right. would have greatly strengthened our
position, but our force was too weak TO adj
init OF the occupation of more than one OF
them. A battery was laid out on il for one
Of Rsndolph's howitzers. We had only 25
spades, 6 axes and 8 picks, but these we're
busily piled all day and night Of the 9Th and
all day on the 9th. On the afternoon OF the
9Th learned that marauding party Of the
enemy was in few miles Of Us. | called
for party Of 81 men to drive them back.
Lieut.. Roberts, Of +. Company, Of nv Req
ment, promptly responded. and IN iye min
utes his command was en- route. | detached
Maj Randolph with one howitzer, to join
him, and Lieut.. Col. Lee, first regiment
North Carolina Volunteers, requested and
was granted permission TO take command Of
the whole. After march Of five miles they
came across the marauders, busy over the
spoils Of plundered house. A shell soon put
the plunderers TO fight. and they we're chased
over New Market Bridge, where our liIle force
was halted in consequence Of the presence Of
q considerable body stationed on The other
side. Lieut.. Col. Lee brought in one pris-
oner. How many of the enemy were killed
and wounded is not known. None Of our
command was hurt Soon after Lieut.. Col.
Lee lett. citizen came dashng ia with the
information that IS marauders we're on the
Rock River Road. | called for Cspi. Nc.
Dowelrs Company E.. Of the first Regiment
North Carolina Volunteers. end in three
minutes 1t was 10 hot pursuit. Lieut.. West,
OF he H0wItZer Battalion, VITA one piece,
was detached to JOIN them, and Maj. Lane.
Of my regiment, volunteered 10 assume CON.
mand Of the whole. After a weary march
they encountered, dispersed and chased the
wretehes over New Market 8rigde. This be.
ing the second race on The same day over
the New Market Course" in both Of which
the Yankees reached the goal FIRST. Maj.
Lane brought 10 one prisoner. Reliable cit
liens reported that two cart loads and one
buggy load Of wounded were brought into
Hampton. We had not single man killed
or wounded. Col. Magruder came Bp that
evening and assumed command.
On Sunday, the 9th, a fresh supply Of tools
enabled u 10 put more men TO work, and
when not engaged in religious duties, the
men worked vigorously 10 the entertainments.
We we're aroused al 3 o'clock, Oh Monday
morning. for general advance upon the en-
my, and marched 81 miles, when We leran-
ed that the foe in large force was within d
few hundred yards Of Us. We fell back has.
tily upon our entertainments, and awaited
the arrival Of our inEeders Lieut.. CvI
Stewart, or the 81 Virgins Regiment, hsy.
ing joined Is with some $50 men. was sta.
toned on the bill on lhe extreme right be-
yont the creek; and company q. Of my re.
gimenf, was also thrown over the stream 10
protect the howitEer under Capt. Brown.
Capt. Bridgers, Of Company A.. ist North
Carolina Regiment, took poet 10 tie dense
wood beyond and 70 the left Of the bridge.
Mai Montague, with three companies d his
battalion. vas ordered up from the rear, and
took post o. our right. beginning al the
Church, and extending along tie entire front
On That side. THIS fine body 81 men, and
the gallant command Of Lieut.. Col. Stewart,
worked with great rapidly, and 10 an hoar
had constructed temporary shelters against
the sntmy's Ere. Jsst ii . O'clock, A. ",
the heavy columns Of the enemy were seen
approaching rapidly snd in gobl order. BIT
when Rindpph opened upon them 81 III,
their organization sas completely broken %.
The enemy promptly replied with his Arti. /
lery, firing bfiskly and Wildly. lie made
an attempt u deployment % or right u the
road, under cover 81 some houses and pa.
ling. They we're. however. promptly drives