St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-06-20
ShilM.sh at Great Bethel.

The papers have been filled with ac-
counts Of an attempt made by the fed
cral troops from Fortress Monroe to
capture the rebel batteries at Great
Bethel This place is about nine miles
from Fortress Monroe on the road
leading TO Yorktown-thc latter place
being nine miles further up the York
river. 1t appears that the movement
was made by the federal troops about
midnight. Col. Duryea's Zouavcs and
Col. Townscnd's Albany regiment
crossed the river at Hampton by
means of six large battcauX, manned
by the naval brigade, and took up
their line of march--the former some
two miles in advance Of the latter.
At the same time Col. Bcndix's regi-
mcnt, and dctachments of the YER
mont and Massachusetts, regiments at
Newport moved forward to form q
junction with the regiments from For
trcss Monroe, at Little Bethel, about
half way between Hampton and Great
Bethel. The Zouavcs passed Little
Bethel about A. NJ; Col. Bcndix's
regiment arrived and took up q
position at the intersection of the
roads. Not understanding the signal,
the German regiment, in the darkness
Of the night, fired upon Col. Town
sends column, which was marching in
close order. One or two were killed
, and others wounded, but the error
was soon rcctified and the troops pro,
: cccdcd. The rebels were i 700 strong
: and had six heavy batteries, mounting
G-poundcrs and heavy rincd cannon
! The batteries were masked. Boil
Duryea's Zouavcs and Hawkins regi.
) mcnt charged right up to the bate
RIGS, but could not pass the ditch an(
were compelled to fall back. Ate
: two hours contest their ammunition
gave out and the troops retired in per
. feet order. All but one ritlcd cannon
: Of the enemy were silcnccd and whcl
r the Zouavcs charged the enemy scat
tered, but were recalled. Not NOR,
: than half the force was brought int
= action at once. a well concerted
$ movement might have secured the pc
sition, but Brigadier General Pierre
d who commanded the expedition, az
n pears to have lost his presence O
IS mind, and the Troy regiment stood 70
f an hour exposed TO a calling fire, whel
S an order to retreat was at last given
II Lieut.. Grcibel, of the United State
h army, and in command Of the artillery
!. was struck by a cannon ball and in
!, stantly killed. He had spiked his gu
/ and was gallantly cndeavorinG t.
Il withdraw his command. Capt. Gee
II w. Wilson, of the Troy regiment, al
V ter the order to retreat was given tool
d possession Of the gun and brought
S off the field, with the corpse of til
Lieutenant both were brought t
&c Fortress Monroe.
rs Great Indignation is felt towar
x Gen. Pierce, and he will probably l.
court-martialcd.
l. The latest accounts state that til
t number of federal troops killed wa
j. 10, seven of whom fell in action an
n five have since died Of their wound!
|, A Baltimore despatch, of the l4tl
says tue rebels had retired from Grea
n Bethel, SO far as the main body is col
of cerned, but the place is still held b
ID them and can be occupied by a lare
10 body at very short notice.
y Capt. II. L. Davis, son of Judge D.
Of Wis, Lieut. Charles H. Seamen, and ID
S. Martin, of Col. Duryea's regimen
i next day entered the enemies line
with a flag of truce, and went with
It q mile of Yorktown, their object b
ing to attend to the burial of Il
lie dead, and look after the wounded al
lc missing. They saw formidable bod
Q at Great Bethel, but were not above
to examine the works. They passe
II Oh to Yorktown, and were conductt
Of by bride paths, escorted by a sc
:, geant and four soldiers, who met the
le at Newmarket bridge, three mil'
le from Hampton, to which point the S
IL ccssion pickcts extend. They wei
IL courtcously treated by Col. j. B. N;
gruder, who commanded at Gre;
Bethel.
C. There was q large cncampment
p.' cavalry at Yorktown, and the pla'
~ was being strongly fortified. The
~ were also batteries between Gre;
Bethel and Yorktown. The secessio
OIL lists report two killed and five woun
y. ed at the engagement at Great Betht
IF, and express the wish that Gen. Pier(
nd may be retained in command.
re Major Winthrop was shot by Lo
no isiana rihcman while heading vigo
= Gus charge. He was buried by Il
ry rebels, and his heroism greatly praise
a. Two Zouavcs died prisoners. II
he rebels say they have other prisone
~ whom they arc willing to exchange
Oh Senator Douglas.