The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-21

Rendix 8 regincnt OPehOu hiN Wv"
tillery and muskctry upon Col. Townsends
column, which, in the hurry and confusion,
wa, irregularly returned by some OF Col.
Town,and's men, who feared that they had
e,,,cp into an anbuscade. Col. Townscnd's
column Immediately retrcated to the eminsnee
near by. and were not pursued by Col. Ben
dix's men. BY this almost criminal blnnder
,vo men of Col. TOwnscnd's regiment were
Filled and eight more or less wounded.
Hearing this cannonali"S and hiring IN his
rear. 1t. Col. washburn, not knowing but
thu, hi. communication might be cut oil, im-
usa;,,elv reversed his march, as did Col.
Duryeo, and marched back to form june
ton with his reserves.
Gen. Pierce, who was with Col. Townsend's
regiment. fearing that the enemy had gotno-
tiee Of our approach, and had posted himself
ON the line Of march, and not getting any
communication rom Col. Durycc, sent back
4, mo for reinrurcements, and immcdi-
atcly ordered Col. Aliens regiment to BE-
putin motion, and they reached Hampton
about : o'clock. In t.e meantime, the true
state of facts having been ascertained by Gen.
Pierce, the regiments effected a junction and
resumed the line Of march. At the moment
of the firing Of Col. Bendix, Col. Duryeo had
surprised a part Of an outlying guard OF the
enemy, consisting of thirty persons, who have
been brought in to me.
OF course by this firing all hopes OF a sur
prise above the camp at Little Bethel was lost,
and, upon marching upon it, it was found to
have been vacated, and the cavalry had press
cI ON toward Big Bethel. Col. Duryce, how
ever, destroyed the campat Little Bethel and
advanced. Gen. Pierce then, as no informs
me, with the advice of his Colonies, thought
best to attempt to carry the works Of the en-
envy at Big Bethel, and made dispositions to
that effect. The attack commenced, as am
informed. for | have not yet received any
official report, about half past nine Ocl cs.
At about 10 o'clock Gen. Pierce sent a
note to me, saying that there was sharp
engagement with the enemy, and that he
thought he should be able to maintain his
position until achievements could come up.
Acting upon this information, Col. Cars
regiment, which had been ordered in the
morning to proceed Us far us Newmarket
Bridge, was allowed to 80 forward. re-
ceiycd this information, for which had sent
n special messenger, about IL o'clock.
Immediately made disposition from Newport
News to have Col. Phelps, from the four res
imcnts there, forward aid If necessary. rs
soon ~ these orders could DO sent forward, !
repaired u champion, for the purpose of hav-
Ing proper. ambulanccs and wagons for the
sick and wounded, intending 10 so forward
and Join the command. While the wagons
were going forward messenger came, an
nouncinS that the engagement had tcrmina
ted, and that the troops were retiring in good
order to camp. remained upon the ground
at Hampton, personally seeing the wounded
put in boats and towcd round 10 the hOspi-
tai. and ordering forward Lieut.. Morris, with
two boat howitzcrs, to cover the rear Of the
returning coluran, in case it should be at.
tackled. Having been informed that the am
munition Of the artillery had been expended,
and seeing the hc,d Of the column approach
Hampton in good order, waited for Gen.
Pierce to come up. am informed by him
tina. the dead and wounded had all bccn
brought oil, and that the return bad been
conducted in good order, and without haste.
learned from him that tho men behaved
with great sscadincss, with tho exception OF
some few instances, and that the attack was
made with propricty, yigor and courage, but
that the enemy wcro found to be supported
by battery, variously estimated at from tir.
teen to twenty pieces, some Of which were
rifed cannon, and were very well served and
protected from being readily turned by u
crock in front.
Our loss is very considerable, amounting
perhaps to forty or fifty, a quarter part of
which you will see was from the unfortunate
mistake-to call it by no worse name-oi Col
onel Bendx.
will, as soon as Official returns can be got,
give fuller detail Of the affair, and will only
add now that We have to regret especially the
death OF Lieut.. Grcble OF the Second Artillery,
who went out with Col. Washburn, from
export News. and who very efficiently and
CALAMITY fought his piece until he was struck
by cannon shot. will endeayor to get ac-
curate statements to forward by the next
mail. think, in the unfortunate eombi-
nation Of circumstances, and the result which
we experienced, We have gained more than
we have lost. Our troops have learned to
have confidence in themselves under fire, the
enemy have shown that they will not meet
Us in the open field, and our officers have
learned wherein their organization and drill
are inefficient.
While waiting for the Official reports, ]
have the uonor to submit thus far the infor-
nation Of which | am possessed.
have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Your obcdicnt servant,
BENZ. +. BUTLER.
Maj. Gen. Coming.