East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-06-13
NEWS,

tant movements arc about TO be iuaug-
uraled on the part of the Federal forces,
and, humilatiag as the fact is, the ia
aitiatory movement has proved blunder,
through the iucfiicicncy Of ono Gen.
Pierce. We give the telegraphic reports
in relation to the unfortunate affair:
FoRTRpss MoSRoE, june 8, 81
via BALTIMORE, June 10.
Gen. Butler having learned thes the
rebels were certifying 8 camp with strong
batteries at Great Hcthel, nine miles from
Hampton, on the Yorktown road, Deem
cd Unnecessary to .dslelgo them. Ac.
cordingly, movements were made last
night from Fortress Monroe and New
port News. About midnight, Col. Du-
Iyea's Zouaves and Townsend's Albany
Regiment crossed the river AZ Hampton
by meaps Of six large batteaux, manned
by the Naval Brigade, and took mp the
line Of march, the former some two miles
in advance of tho latter.
At the same time Col Bendix's Regi-
ment and attachments Of the Vermont
and Massachusetts Regulars at Newport,
rloved forward TO form junction with
the regulars from Fortress Monroe at
Little Bathcl, about halfway between
Hampton and Great Bethel, The Zou-
ayes passed Little Bethel about a. NJ.
Col. BcndiX's Regiment arrived and took
a,postion at the intersection Of the road.
Not understanding the signal the Ger
man Regiment in the darkness Of the
night fred upon COL Townsenrs column,
marching in close order and led by Lieu
tenant Butler, son and Aid dc Camp of
General Butler, with two pieces of artil-
iery.
Other accounts say that Col. Town
sends Regiment fired first; at all events,
the fire Of the Albany Regiment was
harmless, while that of the Gcrmaus was
fatal, killing one man and wounding Sc.
riously two others, with several other
slight casualties. + ..-i '.''' sI
The Albany Regiment being back of
the Germans, discovered from the ae-
countremehts left on tho field, that the
supposed enemy was a friend, that had
in the meantime fired nine rounds with
small arms and feld,piece.
The Xouayes, hearing the firing, turn
ed and also fired upon the Albany boys.
at daybreak Colonel Allen and Col
onel Currcy's Regiments moved from the
rear OF the Fortress 10 support the main
body The mistake at Little Bethel
having been ascerta.ned, the buildings
were harmed, and a Major with two prom.
inent secessionists taken prisoners.
The troops then advanced upon Great
Bethel, but our three small pieces of ar
tillcry were unable to cope with the
heavy riAed cannon Of the enemy. Tho
rebel battery was completed masked
t, No men could be seen, only the flashes
Of the guns ....r .. ....s
There were probably less than 1000
men behind the batteries of the rebels.
A well concerted movement might
have secured tho position, but Briga-
der General Pierce, who commanded
the EXPEDITION, appears to have lost his
presence of mind, and the Troy Regi-
-n,ent stood for an hour exposed. to a
CALLING FIRE. when an order to retreat
was at last given. fH1- 'H
Lieutenant Credible of the United
States army, and In command of the ar.
tllery, was struck bya cannon ball and
instantly killed. lie had spike his gun
and was CALAMITY endeavoring to with
draw his command ~ ae pa
sat Captain George w. Wilson, Of the
Troy Regiment, after the order to retreat
aa was given, took possession,o the gun and
brought il off the fold with the corpse Of
the Lieutenant. Both were brought tc
Fortress Monroe This A. NJ .'aL .a
'"i There are probably about % killed
and 100 Of the Federal troops wound
ed. Several of the latter are now il
the hospital here. Great indignation j
manifested against Brigadier Genera
Pierce. r'17 f-i m9lT i'asii wf-s %
que New York, June II.
The Herq'Gs account OF the affair a
Bethel states that after the unfoftunat
mistake was rectified the forces compris
ing the First, Second, and Third New
York Regiments, joined by detachment
of the Fourth Massachusetts,, First Yer
mont, and Seventh and Ninth New Yorl
Regiments, with two light feld-piece
under Lieutenant Grcbe, came upon a
advanced guard Of rebels, defeated an
drove :hem back, taking thirty prison
crs. @ 70 "'iol %
,. Then they advanced on Big Bethel, i
York county, when it came. upon the en-
envy fonr thousand strong, and droyerigll
into them. ,..,.-.f. 81 49, +
.s4 They were in position, protected b
T., six heavy batteries, mounting six an
. b twelve FOUNDER and heavy rilled cannor
Both Duryea's Zouaves aud Hawkin
5s Regiment charged right up to the bate
,ies, but could not pass the ditch an
compelled to fall back. mas reed a1 q
Ire After two hours contest the ammun
sI iien gave out and tho troops retired j
ia perfect order.sfi . lso1n. r.smsi
sI Tee 7ribwls's report says all bat on
t riacl gun of the enemy were silcnced, an
that when the Zouaves charged the en-,
gs my scattered but were rallied. NJ
q .s lmore than lIalft the force was brought il
a., TO action at once. rsr sA E
-gss Lieutenant Grebel's body was gallan
.fm]y saved by being brought Off the icl
-,il on BIS own cannon. fFm doidN ss1
! - sroc;al ga slo Dosg lVod,ioe,fo