Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-06-26

WhlIe CORONER loWnsends s regiment was III
column en- route, and when the head OF
the column was within one hundred yards,
Col. BendiS's regiment opened fire with
both artillery and musketry upon Colonel
ITownSand's column, which in the hurry
and confusion, was irregulnrly returned
by some of Colonel Townsend's men, who
feared that thev had fallen into an am
buscaGe. Col TownsenG's column imme-
diately ret.eated to the emnence near by,
and were not pursued by Colonel Bendix' s
men. BY this almost criminal blunder,
two mer of Colonel Townserd's regiment
were killed, ard eight more or less woun.
| ded.
! Hearing this cannonading and firing in
his rear, Lieut.. Col. Washburn, not know
ing but that his communication might be
cut of Immediately reversed hls march,
as did Colonel Duryea. and mached back
to form junction with his reserves.
! General Pierce, who was with Colonel
lownsend'S regiment, fearing that the
enemy had got notice Cf our approach.
and had posted himself in force on the
line OF march, and not getting any COM
muncaton from Colonel Duryea. sent
back to me for reintorcements, and | inn
1 mediately ordered Colonel Aliens reg
iment to put in motion, and they reached
Hampton about seven o'clock. IN the
meantime the true state of facts having
been ascertained by General Pierce. the
regiments effected a junction, and resum-
ed the line of march. At the moment of
the firing of Colonel Bendix. Colonel Dur
yea had surprised part of the outlaying
guard Of the enemy, consisting of thirty
persons, who had been brought into me.
OfcourSe by this firing all hopes of 2.
surprise above the camp at L. Bethel wSe
lost and, upon Marching upon 1t, it was
found to have been yacated. and the cay,
airy had pressed on toward Ri Bethel -
Colonel Dur"ea. however DESTROYED the
camp at Little Bethel and advanced -
General Pierce then as he informs me,
with the sdvice Of his Colonels thought
best to attempt to curry the works of the
enemy at Big Bethel. and made di1posit.
tionS to that effect. The attack commence
q. aS ! am informed-for have not res
ceived any official reports-abou Q! o.
clock
At about ten O'Clock. General Pierce
sent a Lote to me saying that there was
sharp engagement with the enemy. and
thought he should he able to maintain
his position until reinforcements could
come up.-ActiEe upon this information,
Co'"n"l Cdrr's regiment, which had been
ordered in the rlorning to proceed as far
nS Newmarket Bridge. was allowed TO 60
forward. received this information, for
which | had sent a special messenger,
about twelve o'c.Ock. | Immediately
male disposition from Newport News TO
have Colonel Phelps from the four regi.
, mcnts there, forward aid if necessary.
! As soon as these orders could be sent for
ward ! repaired to Hampton. for the pur,
pose of having proper ombnlanceS and
wagons for the sick and wounded, intend
ing TO go forward and Join tho command
While the wagons were going forward a
messenger came, announcing that the en-
gagement bad terminated. and that the
troops were retiring in good order to
camp. remained upon the ground at
Hampton, personally seeing the wounded
put in boats and towed ronnd 10 the hos
pital. and ordering forward Lieutenant
Morris, with two boat howitzers, to cover
the rear Of the returning column in case
il shonld be attacked Having been in
formed that the ammunition of the artil-
lery Ind been expended. and seeing tho
head OF the column approach Hampton
in good oder, | woitel for Gen. Pierce TO
come up. ! am informed bv him that the
dead and wounded had all teen brought
off, that .iie return had been conducted
in good order and without haste. learn
ed from him that the men behaved with
great steadin ,ss, with the exception o
some few instances. and that the attack
was made with propriety, vigor and cour'
age, but that the enemy were found tc
, be supported by battery, variously esti
+, mated at from fifteen to twenty pieces
=, some OF which were rihed cannon, whcl
we're very well served. and protected from
I being readily turned by creek in front
Our loss is very considerable, amount
a ing perhaps 10 forty or fifty, quarte
I part Of when you will see was fsom tn
| unfor .unate mistake-to call it by IL,
? worse name--of Col. Bend'x.
t will, as soon as official returns can y
@ got give fuller detail of the affair, an,
a will on.v add now that we have to regre
1 especiallv the death Of Lieut.. Greble q
, The Second artillery. who went out wit
t Col. Washburn. from New port News, an
o who very efficiently and CALAMITY Tough
O his piece until he was struck 10y canno
4 shot. | will endeavor to get accurat
G statements to forward by the next mail
|. I think in the unfortunate combinatio
/, of circumstances, and the result whic
o we experienced, we have gained NOR
d than We have lost. Our troops have learr
d ed to have confidence in themselves ur
s der FIRE; the enemy have shown they wi
t, not meet us in the open field. and our OF
- ficers have learned wherein their organ
n za.ion and drill are inefficient.
1, While waiting for the official reports,
IL have the honor to submit thus far the il
n formation OF which am possessed.
Of have the honor to be,
10 Most respectfully,
le Your obedient servant
NJ BESJ. r. BUTLER,
le Major General coinmandin
nt Gen PlERcE.--Gen. Pierce, who con
al | ~, N n nAa1 tho nl;gin,, 10 l.I