New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-16
THE ACTION AT BIG BETHEL.
THE UNFORTUNATE NIGHT ENCOUNTER.

THE UNFORTUNATE NIGHT ENCOUNTER.
sr,rrnryr oy .pJUTASr scHAFfSKR OF THE sTEr-
Brs RIFLES, I'm REGIxEyr y. Y. VOLUNTEERS.
Adiutant Schafiner Of the 9Th Regiment New-iork
Volunteers is now in town, having received weeks
leave Of absence rendered necessary by an attack oil
brain fever. He says: was in the action Of Great
Bethel and also in the encounter with Col. Townsends
Regiment. We had been ordered out at ii P. M for
night foray, and had instructions to form junction
with several other regiments at the forks Of road
leading to Bethel carrying with us one sixpounder,
under Lieut.. CREDIBLE Of the u. 5. Artillery. We
gained certain point by an unfrequented road drag
Qing ourselves through brush and marshes, although
but a ahort distance above was an equally convenient
road perfectly good; but arriving ut the place
where we were told we should join the rest OF the
force, arierist sang out, there they are upon
what appeared be troop Of horses but which alter
ward proved TO be Gen. Pierce, Col Townsend, and
their Aids, with two mounted howiizers, all moving IN
advance of their regiment. IL IA question VINO nted
first Some Of them acknowledged firing init while
they still accuse M, and We accuse them.
BE that as il may, there was hring Tor twenty mn
utes Our detachment consisted OF ll0 men, While
theirs was 700 strong We had been told that Colonel
Townsends and Colonel Duryee's regiments were TO
march by another road than that by which they came
and we confidently supposed they were the enemy:
We thought we had done great thing until we found
we had driven friends away instead OF our enemies
We fired fourteen rounds OF grape and canister but they
had fallen back upon ridge III the rear which protect
ed them. The first knew Of the mistake wac when,
advancing we found the road obstructed with haver-
sacks canteens ETC.. and lying on the ground
whom we fouI d TO be a Zouave Of Duryee's. He had
white badge his left arm and little farther up,
in a farm house, we found 10 wounded, all wearing
white badges Some one rode forward and found that
Col. Townsend regiment all wore these white badges,
and their uniform much resembed that OF the SeCcf-
sionsts that had met them with these unex planned
badges should have fired upon them in broad day
light Gen. Pierce We found was not In uniform at all,
hut had military cap and cyilians coat marked with
shoulder-etraps. am sure received no orders
to wear white badges upon the arm, and no notice that
others would do 20.
This unfortunate encounter delayed our attack upon
Great Bethel several hours. The action commenced at
10 O. clock a. H., and las cd until nearly p. There
was no concert of action among the troops, and we 1.-THE
7th) were completely at the mercy OF the enemy who
commenced firing al between III and IL o'clock and
continued il for two hours, while we unable to
retn,n il effectively. Col Bendix told me be had
found Gen. Pierce Of whom he had demanded orders.
The General asked whether he could AXE the battery
at the point of the bayonet and Col. Bendx replied
that he could If he had sufficient force. Gen. Pierce
promised that he should be backed by whole reg-
ment. The 10th Company of our regiment, under
Capt. Wradislaw old Hungarian Colonel, was soon
after ordered to advance, and they went down from
the woods and crossed little creek near the nrench
ments when Col. Bendix, finding that be was not sup
ported ordered them TO retire again. Officers gener
ally express themselves of the opinion that bad there
been apy order the ntrenchment would have been car
ried in few hours. The enemy pursued some stray
plers and fired into ambulance wagons, woundiDg
In one case, man already shot. COL Cars Chaplain
told me that Col Carr asked Gen. Pierce during the
action what he had better do, to which Gen. Pierce
reped that he had better use his own Judgment
Under orders Of Col. Bendix, / was more than half
an hour, while the fire continued in search of Gen.
Pierce, or Col Duryee-who was Senior Colonel.
found Duryee and brought Col. Bendix TO him. In
reply to the question, "Who is in command !" Col.
Dnryee told Col. Bendix that "he did not know, but
supposed Gen. Pierce" "Where is Gen. Pierce Z"
I" do not know" Col Bendix then said, Colonel,
hadn't you better take command and give ordcBi" To
which Col. Duryee replied, 81 guess We better each
act on our own hook" On marching toward Great
Bethel al least mile and half before getting there,
/ saw Gen. Pierce ride into yard and dismount and
did not gee him again until on the retreat. There
were orders 10 anybody for long time until tie
order came to retreat.
Al frst the rebels fired over us, the first FIRE going
foot or more above my head. After while their range
was good, and then TOO high again; NY regiment was
within GO rods, in II piece Of woods. We maintained
our pround-stood still and took the fire. AT the mo.
ment explosion, the men would iii down OF stand
behind trees.
DEATH OF MAJOR WINTHROP.
made a reconnaissance with Major Winthrop about
II O'Clock in the day, and can testify TO his bravery
and daring. lie was very much exhausted, having
wanted for sleep, food, and water and the day bad
turned ont very hot We stuck our heads ont Of some
nderbrush. and instantly there was perfect shower
Of balls rained upon us which compelled us to With
bjaS tire tree saving Il be could only sleep for FIVE
minutes he would be all right He remarked, as he
did this that he was going TO the inside OF that IN
trencbmeut before Le went back to the forress-bis
manner being that Of COOL ordinary conversation lie
continued sepossesse and cool throughout the whole
engagement, M 10 the time when he received his
dealt. wound, which happened by the side Of Lieut.;
Herrineen, Company L, who remained with him, ind
cared for him until life had fed. lie was shot In the
side.