The Van Buren press., 1861-07-03
Battle Of Bethel Church.

place yesterday Monday between five reg
iments of the troops from Old Point, and
l, 100 Confederate troops, consisting Of Vir-
ginians and North Carolinians. under Gen.
Magruder, at Bethel Church, York county.
Before telling you of the battle. will give
you some circumstances preceding it.
About two or three weeks ago, party
of 800 Yankees came up from Hampton
aud occupied Bethel Church. which position
they held day or two, and then retired.
leaving written on the walls of the Church
several inscriptions, such as :" Death to the
Traitors =. 'Down with the Rebels J"
etc. 70 nearly all these the names of the
writers were defantly signed, and all of the
pens men signed themselves as from New
York, except one, who was from :" Boston,
Mass, U. So To these excursions into
the interior, of which this was the boldest,
Gen. Magruder determined to put a stop,
and accordingly filed the place after the
Yankees lett, with u few companies of his
own troops. In addition to this. he deter
mined to carry the war into the enemy's
country, and, on Wednesday last, Stand
ards battery, Of the Howitzer Battalion
was ordered down to the Church, where it
was soon Joined by portion OF Browns
battery OF the same corps. The North
Carolina Regiment, under Col. Hill, was
also there, making in all about !, 100 men,
and seven howitzer guns.
On Saturday last, the frs. excursion of
considerable importance was made. A de-
tachment of 200 infantry. and a howitzer
gun under Major Randolph. and one of 70
infantry, and pnOtner howitzer, under Mai
Lane of the North Carolina regiment, star
ted different routes to cut off party which
had lett Hampton. The party was seen ana
fired at by Maj Rahdolpn's detachment,
but made such iast time that they escaped.
| Inc troops under Maj. Lane passed ia sight
OF Hampton. and as they turned up the
road to Bethel, encountered the Yankees,
numbering about 80, who were entrenched
behind fence in tho field. protected by a
high bank. Our advance guard fired on
them and in another moment the North
Carolinians were dashing over the fence in
style. firing at them in real squirrel hunt
ing style. The Yankees fled for their lives
alter firing about three minutes, without
effect, leaving behind them three dead and
prisoner. The fellow was a stout and
ugly fellow from Troy, N. Y. He said he
had nothing against the south, but some
body must be soldiers, and he thought that
he had as well enlist. None of our men
were hurt.
This bold excursion, under the very guns
OF the enemy, determined the authorizes a,
Old Point to stop to it and clear us out
from Bethel. This determination was con-
veyed to US by persons who came from the
nelghborhood of the enemy On Monday
morning about 600 infantry, and two guns,
under Gen. Magruder, left the camp and
proceeded toward Hampton; but after ad
vancing mile or two, received informa.
ton that the Yankees We're coming in large
force. We then retired, and alter reaching
the camp the guns We're placed in battery
anu the Infantry took their places behind
their breast works. Everybody was cool
aud all were anxious to give the invaders Q
good reception.
About o'clock the glittering bay yonet,
OF the enemy appeared on the hill Opposite
and and shove them waved the star span.
gied banner. Fhe moment the head OF the
column advanced far enough to show on,
or two companies, the Parrot gun of tn,
Howitzer battry opened on them throwing
u shell right into their midst Their rank.
broke III confusion, and the column. or a.
much OF 1t as we could see, retreated be-
hihd two small farm houses. From thei,
position tre was opened on us, which
was iepiied to 6y our battery, which com.
mahded the route OF their approach. Oul
hrihS Was excellent, and the shell scattered
theui Ia all directions when they burst
lhey could hardly approach the guns they
Were hrlng tor thu shells which came from
our battery. Within our encampment fel
u perfect shower of canister shot. bullet
and balls. Remarkable to say, not one O
our men was killed inside of our encamp
ment. Several horses were slain by shell
and bullets.
Finding that bombardment would no
answer the enemy, about IL o'clock, trie,
u carry the position by assault, but met
terrible repulse at the hands Of the infantr,
Us they tried to scale the breastworks Tn
men disregarded. sometimes the defense
erected Tor them. and. leaping on the EN-
oankn'ent, stood and fired at the Yankees
cutting them down As they came up. On
company OF the New York Seventh Reyi
ment' under Capt. Wardrop or Winthrop
attempted to take the redoubt on the LEI,
Inc marsh they crossed was strewn witt
their bodies. Their Captain, a fine. .lookin
man. reached the fence, and crying, Com
on boys; one charge and the day is ours.
The words were his last, for Carolina riff
ended his life the next moment, and his me
ned In terror back. At the redoubt on tn
right company of about 800 Zouave
charged one OF our guns, but could not stan
the hre OF the infantry, and retreated pre-
cipitately.
During these charges the main body @
the enemy, on the hill were attempting t
concentrate for = general assault. but tn
shells from the Howitzss Battery prevent
ca tnsn. Assone regiment would give u
the effort, another would be marched to III
position, but with no better success. for th
smell would scatter them like chaff. Th
men did not seem able to stand fire at ali
About one o'clock their guns were sllenc
ed' and, q few moments after, their infan,
retreated precipitately down the road t
Hampton.
Our cavalry, numbering three companies
went In pursuit, and harrassed them dow
to the edge of Hampton. As thew retrea,
co. many of the wounded fell along tn
road and died. and the whole road to Hamr
ton was sirewn with overcoats, haversack,
csnteens. muskets. etc.. which the men ha
thrown of in their retreat.
Alter the battle. visited the positio