Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-19
W AR NEW S!
OLD BUNCOMBE IN THE FIRST SKIRMISH.
GREAT BATTLE NEAR NEWPORT NEWS.
NORTH.CAROLINA CONSPICUOUS IN THE
FIRST RATTLE OF THE SECOND
a4 REVOLUTION.
[ER FIRST REGIMENT A TRUMP.
Col. Hill's Official Dispatch!
I160 Southern Troops Vanquish 1850 North
ern Hessians!!
GOD BE PRAISED!

We were never happier a battle, than we were |
1pon the reception of the telegraphc dispatches
bouncing the defeat of 45O0 of Lincoln's hrelings
BY 1160 North -Carolinians and Virginians near
Bethel Church, about nine miles from Hampton,
Virginia For once in the last three months,
The telegraphic wires report the about as the
official account does.
Virginia and N. Carolina in all this contest have
stood shoulder to shoulder. We rejoice greatly that
our first regiment was with her in the first regular
battle of the campaign.
We must be brief, but little particular, to give
our readers a just view of the matter.
Our readers are aware that Gen. Magruder was
in command of the Southern troops on the Peninsu-
la, between York and James River. Hishead-quar-
ters was at Yorktown. The first N. c. Regiment
was stationed there. They have also been made
acquainted with the Infamous conduct of the enemy
at Hampton, Newport News, and vcinlties. Gen.
Magruder determined to check the scoundrels, and
accordingly on Friday the 7th, for this mission, de-
tailed Col. Hills N. c. Regiment consisting of 500
men, portion Of the Richmond Howitzers, and
two companies of cavalry from Nottoway and
Charles City counties, in all $50 Virginians. The
column moved down the peninsula to within miles
of Hampton, and commenced an entrenchment at
Bethel Church, the dividing lin. between Eliz-
abeth City and York counties, and only about six
miles from Newport News. Col. Hills regiment
consists of the following companies: Edgecombe
Guards Capt ]. L. Bridgers; Enfield Blues, Capt.
D. B. Bell; Hornets Nest Rifles, Capt L. S. Will
~
combe Rifles, Capt. W. W. Mcdowell; Southern
Stars, Capt W. j. Hoke; Fayetteville Independent
Light Infantry, Maj. Wright Huske; do Lafayette
Light Infantry, Capt j. B. Starr; Orange Light In
fantry Capt. R. j. Ashe; Charlotte Grays, Capt.
E. A. Ross.
On Saturday afternoon, Capt. McDowel's COM
pany from Asheville, n. c., one hundred strong,
were out on reconnoitering expedition, with Lieut.
Gregory and ten men, some distance in advance
Coming within mile and three quarters of Hanp-
ton, they encountered 200 of the enemy similar
excursion, who also had advance guard in front.
Lieut.. G. and his guard of ten men approached with
in thirty five steps of the enemy, when parley
took place between them, each party endeavoring to
quiz the other. Finally, large man of the enemy,
who stood near Lieut. Gregory, cried out, &c know
you are friends! belong to the Second New York
Regiment!' whereupon Lieut.. G. placed his pistol
near the New Workers. head, and exclaimed "Drop
your musket. or I'll blow your brains out! You
are nv prisoner!" at the same time calling upon
his men to fire.
The order was obeyed by Lieut. Gregory's Guard,
and twenty five of Capt McDowelrs command, some
eighty steps in the rear, also fired The Yankees
returned the fire, but none of our men were in
iured From twelve to fifteen of the Yankees were
killed and wounded by this discharge, and Lieut.
Gregory secured the prisoner. Capt. Mcdowell,
observing the retreat of the Northern party thought
it prudent to withdraw his command, as q large
body of Federal troops were within half mile and
our little handful would have fallen easy prey.
The Northern soldiers fired very badly. Lieut.
Gregory was on horseback, and the balls whizzcd
far above his head.
In their retreat, the Yankees carried their dead
and wounded in two carts and buggy to Hampton.
The prisoner sent to Yorktown in charge of
gallrnt youth named William Torrance, and anoth-
er private whose name we have not heard.
Monday morning about seven o'clock, was
stated to our informant, a man who it is said had
deserted from our army and had concealed himself
somewhere in the forest between Bethel Church and
Newport News, came into camp, regretting his re-
creancy, and informing our officers that the Yankee
forces had struck their tents at Newport News and
were advancing in column of four or five thou
sand strong.
This intelligence was received by our officers
with some doubt but they resolved to be on the
alert and give the Infamous despoilcrs of prop
erty and invaders of our soil, hot reception as
rifle, musket and grape shot could extend.
The deserter's information proved to be correct,
for a few minutes before o'clock our scouts were
driven in and shortly after our pickets were fred
upon Presently the invading hirelings made their
appearance and it was plainly to be seen that they
had both infantry and artillery, but no cavalry were
visible. As soon as they approached within range
of our guns, the gallant Carolnians and Virgnians
opened upon them, and poured into their ranks a
| CALLING fire. They stood their ground for few
minutes doing the best they could, but their guns
all went wide of their aim, scarcely shot touching
| our troops.
1t may be proper here to remark, that our troops
had the decided advantage of position, being in a
thin skirt of forest, bordering the edge Of mill
pond. The Yankees were also surrounded by trees,
but widely scattered than ours and not afford
| ing half the protection.
!; The firing was continued on both sides until
o'clock, troops maintaining deadly fire on the
Yankees from behind the trees and in the thick un
dergrowth around, while the enemy could neither
dodge our balls or cause their shot to reach us with
| effect The work finally became too hot for thu
Yankee scoundrels, and they fell back, in consider
able disorder and confusions.
The enemy next made an effort to flank our mer
! by circuitous route, which occupied some thirty
) minutes In the meantime, the Confederate troops
betook themselves to their temporary entrench
ments and coolly awaited the approach Of the hire
lings. At halfpast nine they again appeared il
view, but in their march had become involved in I
thick mot,.ss, from which they found it impossible
to advance or retreat.
! The Conf lerate forces now had the scoundrel
! just where hey desired and from behind thei
temporary entrenchments about the Bethel Church
! poured most deadly fire into their ranks. The,
caught it right tlet and in 'front.' and finally scram
bling out Of the morass fed in the utmost disorde
and confusion all attempts to rally them by one 0
two officers, being utterly in vain. Our informan
states, that thef fight was perfectly Wild and be
trayed Consideration and dismay, more characte,
istie of heEsof buffaloes when suddenly surprise
Y : I,