The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-26
Battle og Rathal Church.

ing details of our great victory Bethel church. June
10th The Richmond Dispatch furnishes the following
account OF the Skirmish on Saturday:
The Confederate forces, under Col. Magruder, we're
stationed Bethel church. the line between Elizabeth
city and York counties. This place is six miles from
Newport News sixteen from Yorktown and eight miles
from Hampton.
On Saturday afternoon, captain McDoweIl's company
from Asheville, North Carolina, hundred strong
were out a accommodating expedition, with Lieut.
Gregory and ten men some distance in advance Com
ing within mile and threeguarters of Hampton they
encountered 200 of the enemy on similar excursion
who also had an advance guard IL front Lieut. Gregory
and his guard of ten approached within thirty five
steps of the enemy when parley took place between
them each party endeavorng to quiz the other Finally
a large man OF the enemy, who stood near Lieut. Greg
ory cried out, II know you friends! | belong to
the second New York regiment whereupon Lieut.
Gregory placed his pistol near the New Workers. head
and exclaimed, Drop your musket, or I'll blow your
brains out! You are my prisoner" at the same time
calling upon his men to fire.
The order was obeyed by Lieut. Grcgorys guard; and
twenty-five ofcaptain McDowelPs command some eight
steps in the rear also fired The yankees returned the
fire, but none Of our men were injured. From twelve
to fifteen Of the yankees were killed and wounded by
this discharge and Lieut. Gregory secured the prisoner
Captain Mcdowell observing the retreat of the northern
party thought it proper to withdraw his command
large body Of federal troops within half mile
and little handful would have fallen an easy prey
In their retreat the yankees carried their dead and
wounded in~tw carts and a buggy to Hampton
The Dispatch also gives the following account of the
battle at Bethel church. prepared under the eye Of an
officer Of high rank who had distinguished command
on the OCCASION
BATTLE AT BETHEL CHURcH-The road from Bethel
church to Hamptonruns south. The conlederates posted
themselves on both sides OF the church. facing down
the road to Hampton. The United States troops came
up it until within artillery range and planted their bat
terry in the road, but screened from sight by small
house and by woods The Confederate battery on the
right and close to the road opened the United States
battery and on the column in the rear The United
States battery replied and columns Of United States
troops wheeled to the right and left circed around the
position OF the Conederaes, and assaulted it on the
right and left On the right Of the conederatcs there
was an outer line Of defense consisting Of battery Of
one howitzeT supported by Col Stuars battalion en-
trcnched on the right, and company of North Carolina
infantry entrcnched the left. The howzer becOm-
ing spiked by the breaking of printing wire was run
back int the bushes and the infantry supports retired
The outer line being lost the United States troops ap-
preached end opened heavy fire of musketry on the
Confederates concentrated en- the hill at the church, but
owing to thick growth Of-woods intervening the fire
not effective, At the same time the left of the
COnfederateS was assaulted by column which approach
to within about fifty orsiXty yards nndeEcoverof woods
and depoyed in front Of them This fire took the main
battery of1he howtZcr battalion in the flank wounding
three men, and killed and wounded fine horse; struck
their pieces and ammunition chests The howitzer bat
terry could not however return their fire without firing
over the North Carolina infantry, entrenched the
left and risking them. The fire Of the battery was
therefore, maintained the front on the troops and
battery Of the enemy in the road and the North Caro-
lima infantry rcpulsed the assault on the left Another
hOwtZer arriving from three miles in the rear run
out to the outer line the right which had been pre-
viouSy TeOccuped,by Confederate infantry the enemy
falling back. The hOwitZer Immediately opened with
shell on house occupied by the enemy s Sharp Shooters
and which also served to screen the United States bat
terry from view The United States batery reged with
round shot all Of which passed the howitzer while
the shells from the hGwtzer fred the house. and ranged
on towards the United States battery, and probably
crippled it for after five six shots each side, the
fire Of the enemy ceased, and the battle ended.
The boosted Zouaves did not wait to cross bayonets
with the North Carolina regiment They fed the first
fire. and could not be brought to toe the mark second
An officer OF the 7th regiment Of New York was killed
endeavorng to induce company mot Of Zouaves, how
eyer) to follow him. lie mounted fence that scpa
rated Ills company from infantry and with galany
waving bis sword and calling his to follow him,
when he received musket shot III his breast and fell
dead. Ills men Immediately fled.
The general characteristic Of all our late battles
not wanting on this occasion. The howitzers lost not
a man killed, and but three wounded. The North Caro-
lima regiment lost killed and two three
wounded The other troops lost two or three wounded
Movement OF THE FEDERAL TRooPs-Thc Washing
ton CORRESPONDENT ofhe Cincinnati Enquirer thas notes
the grand movement Of troops from the eapital
WAsHINGToN, Monday, June lG.-The great move
ments have begun Atsix o'clock last evening special
train of twcntyone left the Washngtondepot con
tanning the battery, horses, wagons and camp equpage
of the Rhode Island artillery regiment, Col Burnside.
This battery consists of six pieces of general James
rifle patent with cassons attached About one hundred
men accompanied the train on its arrival in Baltimore.
The cars of the train sent to the Baltimore depot
and from thence to Chambcrsburg, Pa. 1t daybreak
this morning the remainder Of the Rhode Island regi
ment broke up camp and LIFT by the cars for Baltimore
en- route for Chambersburg.
Three battalions of district of Columbia volunteers
passed through Georgetown at early hour this morn
ing accompanied by government wagons with camp
equipage ammunition, baggage, etc; they numbered
over one thousand men, and presented martiaappear
ance-each train of wagons being protected by mill
tarv guard They passed up the Rockville (Maryland)
road and the supposed destination is Edwards ferry,
the Potomac This point is abont thirty miles from
Georgetown or equi-distant from arpcrs Ferry. tits
the only crossing place for teams between the Point of
Rocks and the district The road passes from Frederick
Maryland across bridge the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal and the established ferry across the Potomac
The road terminates in Lcesburg Virginia which is only
four miles distant from the crossing.
Another battalion Of district volunteers formed in the
first ward this morning. and marched about 10 o'clock
The companies included one Of sappers and miners
armed with spades axes and other implements peculiar
to their line of service wagon train with military
stores camp cqupage and baggage, also accompanied
the battalion 1t was reported that the troops werc
proceeded by battery, but l have not been able to
verify the rnmor The troops started with twelve days
provisions.
train of wagons passed into Virginia the govern
ment ferry, in Georgetown, this morning, and from the
hustle on tile heights about Alexandria aqueduct it is
supposed that one or Of the regiments stationed
there have received marching orders.
The first Pennsylvania regiment broke uptheir camp
this morning and left by turnpike also in the direction
of Rockville. We hear that three or four other regi-
ments arc under marching orders to move to-day The
New or ninth regiment is under orders to move at
o'clock tomorrow The Washington light infantry,
stationed about one-fourth Of mile above the chain
bridge on the Maryland SIDE to-day entering upon
the work of ntrenchng their position. Four pieces Of
artillery have been sent up to be mounted here. The
first New York and sixty ninth regiments have left also
in the direction of Rockville. The nineteenth New York
regiment is under marching orders fer time this
afternoon; they know not in what direction
After several long cabinet discussions, Gen. Butler
has been ordered to receive more conaband negroes
and more fugitive slaves to be protected in the United
States camps.
Communicated.
Messrs. EDIToRs-There can be too much of good
thing too much pudding will choke dog and too many
worthless and newsess see Webster abridgedj extras
will at Inrt diguuSt the most Datiput and lonp suffer