Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-13
The Affair at s-.Feat Bsthel..>Bisck ne.
publican cunt.

BALTIMORE, June ll.-(en. Butler having learned
that the rebels were terrifying with strong bate
res the camp at Great Bethel, nine miles from
Hampton, on the Yorktown road. he deemed It nee
essary TO dislodge them. Accordingly movements
were made last night from Fortress Monroe and
Newport News.
About midnight Col. burgess Z,uaves and Col
T0wnsend's Albany Regiment crossed the river at
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 advance of the latter
At the same time Colonel Bendixis regiment and a
detachment of the Vermont and Massachusetts, reg
uars at Newport, moved forward 10 form q june
tim with tbs regulars from Fortress Monroe at Lit
tie Bethel, about half way between Hampton and
Great Bethel. The Zouayes passed Little Bethel
about ! q. IN.
Col Bendix's arrived and took up position at
the intersection of the roads, Not understanding
the signal the German Regiment in the darkness of
the night. fred upon Colonel Townsends columns,
marching in close order. and led by Lieut. Butler,
son and aid decamp to Gen Butler with two pieces
OF artillery. Other accounts say that Col. Town
senn's regiment fred first. At all events. the fire
.: the Albany regiment harmless, while that of
the Germans was fatal killing one man aud wound
ing severely two others, with several slight casU-
alti, S.
The Albany regiment being back of the Gerrna rs.
discovered from the accoutrements left the feld
thae the supposed enemy were friends. They ad
IT the meantime fired nine rounds with small arms
and one small piece. The Z1uaves hearing the
firing turned and also fired upon the Albany boys.
At day break Col Allen and Col Harris regiments
moved from the rear OF the fortress 10 support the
main Body.
The mistake at Little Bethel having been ascer-
tanned, the buildings were burned, and q msjOr-
with two prominent Secessionsts taken prisoners
The troops then advanced upon Great Bethel,
bus three small pieces OF artillery were unable
to cope with the heavy rifed cannon of the enemy.
The rebel battery was completely masked
M man no md 0niy hp fas hos of tba
guns. There were probably not less than 1000 men
behind the batteries of the rebels.
A we'll concerted movement might have secured
the position, but Brigadier General Pierce, who
commanded the expedition, appears, to have lost
his presence OF min and the Troy regiment stood
for an hour exposed to a CALLING fire, when an or
der TO retreat was at last given.
Lieut. Greble. of the U. 5. A, and in command of
the artillery, was struck by cannon ball and in
stantly killed. He had spiked his gun and was
calamity endeayoripg to withdraw his command.
Capt George ". Wilson, of the Troy Regiment,
after the order to retreat was given, took posses
sion of the gun and brought it OFF the field with the
corpse OF the Lieutenant. Both were brought to
Fortress Monroe this evening.
There were probably about % killed and 100 Of
the Federal troops wounded.
Lieut.. Butler deserves the greatest credit for
bringing off the killed and wounded Several of
the latter are now in the hospital.
Great indignation is manifested against Brigadier
General Pierce.
BALTIMORE, June IL 1t is not known how many
killed wounded in the unfortunate collision
of Federal troops previous to marching on Great
Bethel The loss was, however, inconsiderable
The fire of our troops on the masked battery did
apparently little execution, being composed of small
field pieces and howtZers against rihed cannon Of
the rebels The attack lasted but half an hour,
when the retreat was sounded and Lted ia good
order. The troops throughout this trying affair
behaved we'll The estimated number killed was
about thirty. and one hundred wounded.
Major Winthrop aid of Gen. Butler. and Lieut.
Col Grinnell of the New York lst Regiment are
missing. Among the killed Lieut.. Grebbes, of
the L. s. Artillery. he struck in the right side
of the forehead by rife cannon ball, which tore
away the upper part of his Read.