Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-12
Brig, General Pierce CenSHred
ARRIVAL OF THE ADRIATIC
This Afternoons Report.
A SEVERE FIGHT,
FORT MoERoE, June 9th, Z
VIA BALTIMORE. June 10

|
Gen. Butler having learned that the re-
bells were fOrtifying the Camp with strong
batteries at Great Bethel, nine miles from
Hampton, ON the Yorktown road, deemed il
necessary to dislodge them, accordingly
movements we're made last night from For
tress Monroe and Newport
News about midnight that Col. Duryea's
Zousyes and Col ToRnsends Albany Reg
iment crossed the river ut Hampton, BY
means Of six large batteaux, manned by
the Naval Brigade, and took up the line of
march, the former some two miles in ad-
vance Of the lstter J
AT the same time Col Bender's Regi-
iment and detachment of the Vermont
and Massachusetts regulars at Newport
moved forward to form q junction with the
regulars from Fortress Monroe at Little
Bethel, about half way between Hampton
and Great Bethel. al .,a
The ZOuaves passed Little Bethel about
a. m. Col. Bendix's regiment armed and
took up position at the intersection of the
intersection of the roads Not understand
| ing the signal the German regiment in the
darkness Of the night, fred upon Col. Towns
ends column, marching in close order and
led by Lieut.. Buffers son and aid-de-oamp
of Gen. Butler, with two pieces of artillery.
Other accounts say that Col. TOWnsand's
Regiment fired first. At all events the fire
Of the Albany Regiment was harmless,
while that of the Germans was fatal killing
one man and wounding seriously two others,
with several other slight casualties. The
Albany Regiment being back of the Ger
mansDdiscovered from the aecoutrements left
on the feld that the supposed enemy, was a
friend. They had in the meantime, nine
rounds with small arms, and a field piece
The Zouaves hearing the firing turned and
also fred upon the Albany Regiment.
At daybreak Col. Aliens and Col. Cur
tis' regiments moved from the rear of the
fortress to support the main body.
The mistake at Little Bethel having been
aseertained, the buildings were burned,
and Major with two prominent secession
lists taken prisoners.
The troops then advanced upon Great
Bethel, but our three small pieces Of artil-
lery were unable to cope with the heavy
rifed cannon on the enemy. The rebel
battery was completely masked. No men
could be seen, only the flashes of the guns.
There were probably less than 1000 men
behind the batteries Of the rebels. A we'll
concerted movement might have secured
the position, but Brig. Gen. Pierce, who
commanded the expedition, appeared to
have lost his presence of mind, and the
Troy Regiment stood for an hour exposed
to CALLING fire, when an order to retreat
was at last given.
Lieut.. CREDIBLE, of the o. S. Army, and in
command Of the Artillery, was struck by
cannon ball AID instantly killed. He had
spiked his gun, and was gallantly endeav-
oring to Withdrew his command.
Capt. Geo. W. Wilson, of the Troy Regi-
ment, after the order to retreat was given,
took possession of the gun and brought Ii
off the field, with the corpse of the Lieu
tenant. Both were brought to Fortress
Monroe this evening.
There are probably about twenty-five kill
ed and one hundred of the Federal troops
wounded. Lieut Butler deserves the great
est credit for bringing off the killed and
wounded. Several of the wounded are now
in the Hospital here. Great indignation is
manifested against Brigadier Gen. Pierce.