Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-06-20
For the Journal
The Bethel Church Battle

N. u.
Nothing earth dearer to the brave soldier than his
honor He is therefore, justified in being sensitive about
it, Let honor be given to whom honor due and he will be
satisfied The hasty reports of newspapers
official details given. Having once been resident Of
old Edgecombe. and still attached to her recoec
in the gallantry of her 1.-The Edgecombe Guards"
which they displayed in the brilliant victory at Beth
from letter of friend in Tarboro' to the writer of this
will give few incidents of that fight heretofore known
to the public.
I'VE have been greatly excited here for the last two
at hearing from the fight at Bethel Church. Yorktown
me brunt OF the battle fell upon the right flank company
Edgecombe Guards) They did most of the work-sus.
tanned the only damage DONE Zone killed and wounded
retook the artillery which had been lost by the Richmond
HoWtzers and yet they left out by the
far IN enumeratng the companies belonging to the Repi
ment Drs. Mabry and Dicken and John Pippen of this
pany arrived Yorktown Just after the departure
gment which they Instantly followed and arrived while the
fight was progressing They that the retreat the
enemy were pursued by two small companies of cavalry
who arrived just at the close of the fight and harrassed
them until within two and half miles of Hampton Thew
reported much sign of disaster the track of the
At one time Capt Jno L. Brdgers, Company A called for
volunteers to advance and fire to house that was
tectng the Linconites FIVE volunteered One of them
Wya was shot down as he up 20 it. Charles Williams
shot in the side bad wound also but neither dangeE
GUS One of the Edgecombe boys Suart dropped an Of
after stuar fire at him and the prisoners said S
killed and carried off, ~
''The last act was the killing of Col Wardron who ad
Vanced to fence about so yards front and called for his
men to rally and follow. About 20 Edgecombe Rifles were
emptled at him. and he fell dead Several claimed the
cessu shot, but negro, Ga servant in the Hornets Nest
Rifles who shot at him. put in claim and they promptly
awarded 1t to him. understand by courtesy Joseph
BAKER, OF this place. who is Assistant Surgeon to the Rep
ment, took off his sword, and sent it home here''
Tney fe! In such scattered positions, and many of the
wounded being carried off, it hard ascertain the
tent OF the damage done to the Lncolnes. DIR. Mabry
says he was called in to of their wounded in
honse close by and they expressed great surprise and
thanks for the kind treatment they receiving saying
they were made to believe they would be as
soon as they were found The Zouaves there but
they were whipped badly the others. Our boys were
wearing some of their caps and rigging found the field
young James Owen grandson of your worthy townsman
price, ~ 90 @
1.-The prisoners said they told that thew could
whip the North Caroinians with corn stalks
What mistaken set they were. Mr. Editor, when they
met such cool courage and skill 1t to be wondered
at that they fed such hot haste Edgecombe has
TO be proud of her gallant Guards and they
with all other North Carolinans will lust in this Wav dis
appoint the heg Yankees whenever and wherever they
Weea Aem' T.