The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-06-14
Important War News--.A Eight with
the Rebels.


Con. Butler having learned that the
rebels were fortifyng thcir camp at Great
Bethel. with strong batteries, nino miles
from Hampton, on the Yorktown road, he
deemed il necessary to dislodge thom. Ac-
cordingly mov0mcnts were made last night
from Fortress Monroe ard Newport News.
About midnight. Col. Duryea's Znuavos and
Col Townsend's Albany regiment crossed
tho river Mt Hampton by means of six largo
battenux. manned by the naval brig ulu. and
took up tho line Of march, tho fnrinor some
two miles in advance of tho latter. At the
samo time Col. Bendix' regiment aud de-
tachmonts of the Vermont aud Massaohu-
setis regulars at Newport, moved forward to
form u junction with the regulars from
| Fortress Monroe at Little Bethel about half
way hetweon Hampton and Great Bethel.
Tho u ,uaves passed little Bethel at A. NJ,
Col. Bendx regiment arrived, and took up
u position at tho intersection of tho roads.
Not understanding the signal, the Gcrman
regiment, in the darkness o: the night, fired
upon Col. Townsend's column, marching in
close order and led by Lieut.. Butler, sou
and aid do camp OF Gen. Butler, with two
pieces of artillery. Other accounts say that
Col. Townsend's regiment fired first AZ
all evonts, tie fire of the Albany rogimont
was harmless, whilo that Of tho Germans
was fatal, killing ono man and wounding So.
riously two others. with several other slight
casualties. The Albany Regimont being
back of tho Germans discovered from the
acco coutremenis left on tho fold that the sup.
poscd cnemy was friend. They firod in
the meantime nine rounds with smoli arms
and a field pieco. The Zpuavcs hearing the
firing turned and also fired upon the Albany
regiment. At DAY. break. Col Allen. and
J Col Curtis regiment moved from tho rear
of tho Fortress TO support the main
body. Tho mistake at Little Bethel having
been ascortainod. the buildings were burned
; and major with two prominent secess
t onists taken prisoners Tho troops then
advanced upon Great Bothol, but our three
IA small pieces of artillery. were unable to cope
with tho heavy rh1d cannon of tho enomy
Tho rebel battery was completely masked
y No men could DO seen only tho flashes o
1t tho guns. There were probably not les
D. than |, 900 mon behind tho batteries of th'
4 rebels.
Y A well concerted movement nigh
% have secured the position. but Brig. Gen
% Pierce, who commanded the expedition
70 appeared to have lost his presence o.
l. mind. and the Troy Regiment stood 70
1t an hour exposed TO calling fire, wheI
10 an order to retreat was at last given
II Lieut.. Credible, of the U. S. A.. and il
" command of the artillery, was struck By
a. cannon ball aud Instantly killed. Ill
a, spiked his guns. and was gallanoy en-
deavoring TO withdraw his command
= when Capt. Geo. W. Wilson, of the Tao
p Regiment. after the order 10 retreat wa
D. given. took possession Of the gun an
III brought it off the field, with the corps
Of the Lieutenant. Both were brough
TO Fortress Monroe. There are pro9abl
about 25 killed and 100 Of the Feder'
q, troops wounded. Lieut.. Butler deserve
n. the greatest credit for bringing off I'll
.r killed and wounded. Several of the latt.
~ are now in the hospital here. Great il
~ dignation is manifested against Brig. Ger
Pierce.
r- ocrJust as we go to press, we learn from Il
an Cleveland Morning Leader OF yesterday, tha
a since the above unfortunate engagement, Ge
AS Butler hns attacked the Rebels at Great Belhe
IS and taken 1000 prisoners 80.