Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-06-27

Bethel battle we take from letter of Adjutant
Hiram Stevens, of the Vermont regiment, which
appeared in recent number of the st. Albans
Messenger;
CAMP BUTLER. NEWPORT News, VA, !
June H. 1861 Midnight.
DEAR BROTHER AT one o'clock this morn
ing column of 2j00 men marched from this
place towards Bethel with two 10 pound guns
Our column was to unite at the junction of the
road from here with the road from Hampton to
Bethel, with three regiments of New York
troops from Hampton, ard advance and attack
together. Half Of our regiment went-com-
panes 2, 4, G, 8 and 10. | was not ordered
out, but was determined to go, without the leave
of Col. Phelps, and did so, for which | may be
degraded, and have to resign my commission
and come home. Fifer Bellows took with me,
and as an independent volunteer, not under or
ders, | took the post of danger-viz the head
of the column, and sometimes or 10 rods in
advance, with runaway Adjutant Walker also,
of the Massachusetts 4lh regiment. We reach
ed the junction before daylight, nine miles dis
tant, and had gone but few rods towards
Bethel when my foot struck what thought was
a canteen, by the rattng sound of the water.
On examination it proved to be a New York
one theirs being tin, covered with felt and pc
cuiar to the New York troops. This was
discovery, and proved the New York column to
be ahead of us. At the junction orders had
been given to leave one gun and four companies
as rear guard, which was done, and on we
went. We had proceeded about mile when
the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon, in
Guced US to believe our rear guard was attack
ed, and double quick to the rear our column
went, to sustain the rear guard. Being in 'front.'
by changing direction was in the rear. Just
as we halted to start to the rear on hearing fir
ing, rebel scoundrel came out of house and
deliberately fired his gun at us. The ball pass
ed so close to me that | heard it whiz-on its
way going through the coat and pants and just
grazing the skin of orderly sergeant Sweet, of
the Woodstock company. The rascal was Sc
cured and is prisoner, and what was done by
way of stern entertainment to one of the +. f.
VS. you will hear if ever live to return.
then as the firing to the rear had ceased, with
revolver in hand, accompanied by Fifer, ap-
preached the fellows house, having some ex-
pectation of an ounce Of lead being deposited
in my tall body without asking my permission.
BY this time all our troops were out of sight in
the woods, by turn in the road and | was
alone with Fifer, when some negroes came from
behind the house, having less fear of two men
than two thousand. On inquiry, the slaves told
me that Adjutant Whiting, whom we had Just
taken prisoner, was the owner, that he belonged
to the secession army, and that no white folks
were in the house. all having left-without the
ceremony of ringing, entered and surveyed
the premises, and found most elegantly fur
nished house. | took hasty survey in search
of arms, but finding none, left the house and
started to overtake our column. On reaching
the bend in the road, | took a survey to the
rear to "see what l might see" and discovered
a single soldier coming toward me, and waited
for him to come up. | found it was Clarke of
the Bradford company. Before he reached me,
| observed horseman coming towards me at
full speed. On reaching the house he turned
in, which induced me to think him a secession
ist. ! ordered Clarke to cover him with his ri
file, and, revolver in hand, ordered him to dis
mount and surrender. He cried out, "who are
you ?" Answer, "Vermort!" "'rhen raise your
piece, Vermont; | am Col. Duryea of the
Zouaves;" and so it was. His gay looking red
boys just then appeared turning the corner OF
the road, coming toward us. He asked the
cause of the firing at the rear and whose prem
ises we were in. | told him he knew the first
as well as | did, but as to the last could give
full information: That the house belonged to
one Adjutant Whiting, who, just before had
sent bullet whizzing by me, and shot one OF
my boys, and that my greatest pleasure would
be to burn the rascal's house in payment. "Your
wish will be gratfed at once,' said the Colonel
81 am ordered by Gen. Butler to burn every
house whose owner or occupant fires upon our
troops. Burn it." He leaped from his horse
and | upon the steps, and by that time three
Zouaves were with me. l ordered them to try
the door with the butts of their guns. Down
went the door, and in went we. A well-packed
travelling-bag lay upon mahogany table.
tore it open in hopes of finding revolver, bu,
did not. The first thing took out was white
linen coat. laid it on the table, and Col. Dur
yea put lighted match to it. Other clothing
was added to the pile, and soon we had rous
ing fire. Before leaving, went into the large
| parlor, in the right wing of the house; it wa.
perfectly p'endid. A large room with tapestry
carpet, nice piano, fine library of miscella
neous books, rich Sofas elegant chairs, with SUI
perior needework wrought bottoms, what-not;
in the corners, loaded with articles of luxury
taste and refinement, and upon mahogany cen
tre-table lay Bible and lady's portrait. Thl
last two articles | took, and have now in my
possession. | also took decanter of most eX
cellent old brandy from mahogany side board
and left the burning house. BY this time thu
Zouave regiment had come up. Joined them
and in short time came up with our rear guard
and saw sight, the like of which wish neve
to see again-viz nine of Col. Townsend's AL
bany regiment stretched upon the floor of
house, where they had just been carried, anC
eight of them mortally wounded, by our owl
men. Oh! the sight was dreadful, cried lik,
boy, and so did many others. immediatel,
thought of my decanter of brandy, took a til
cup from soldier, and poured into it my bran
dy and filed it Ohe cup) with water from can
teen, and from one poor boy to another pass
ed, and poured into their pale and quiverinl
lips the nygoratipg fluid, and with my hant
wiped the sweat-drops of death from their fore
heads Oh! how grateful the poor fellows look
ed at me as they saw, by my uniform, that tn
usually stern officer and commander had becom
to them the kind and tender hearted woman, b.
doing for them womans holy duties.
One strong fellow wounded in the head, an,
bloody as a butchers floor, soon rallied, AM
was able to converse with me. ! asked him
he knew the poor fellows around him. lie SAT-
yes, and pointing to one he said: "That MAJ
stood by my side-he was my section man
saw his gun fly out of his hands, being strucl
by grape-shot, and a moment after, we bot
tumbled to the ground together" ! went on
and picked up an Enfield rifle, nearly cut in tw
by ball, said he, "lhat is his gun" saw it
owner die, and brought the gun with me bac
to our camp and have it in my possession.
1t was now sometime after sunrise. was min
miles from camp, and, as | ran away to join i
the fight, thought ! would return in time t
my guard mounting, and our glorious old Col
one would not discover my absence, and
should escape censure. Capt Pelton of tn
| NVoodstock comnanV ms | hid hin, good hive