The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-06-28
The Great Bethel Battle.
AN INTERESTING NARRATIVE.

CAMP BUTLER, NEWPORT News, Va,
June II, 1861 Midnight.
DEAR BROTHER:
At one o'clock this morning a column of
300 meH marched from this place towards
Bethel with two l5-pound guns. Our col
unn was to unite at the junction of the road
from Hampton to Bethel, with three regi-
ments Of New York troops from Hampton,
and advance and attack together. Half of
our reg iment went companies >, t, Is, and
10 wa not ordered our. but aas deter
mined to 60, without the leave OF Col pneIp>.
and did SO. for which may be degraded, and
have to resign my Com Aisslon and come
home Fiter Bellows took with ne, as an
independent volunteer, not under orders.
took the post Of dangcr--vlZ: the head OF
the column, ami sometimes eight or ten rods
in advance. with runaway Adjutant Walker
also. of the Ma>sachu> 4ih regiment. "
reached the junction before daylight, nine
miles distant. and had gone but few rods
{ towards Bethel. when my loot struck what |
Thought was a cauteen. BY the rafting sound
OF the water. On examination it proved to
be New York one. theirs being tin, covered;
with felt. and peculiar to the New York
troops This was a discovery, and proved
the New York column to be ahead of US At
the junction orders had been gwen to leave
one gun and four companies as a rear guard
which was done and on We went. We had
proceeded about a mile when the rattle of
mu>ketry and roar of cannon induced US to
believe our rear guard was attacked, and
double quick to the rear of our column went,
to sustain the rear guard. Being in front,
By changing direction | was in the rear
Just as VT halted to start to the rear on hear
ing firing. Il rebel scoundrel came out of a
oou>e and deliberately fired his gun at u.s.
Thr ball passed so close to me that heard it
whlz-on It's way going through the coat and
pants. and .lIst grazing the skin of orderly
Sergeant Sweet of the u oodstock company.
he rascal was secured amt IS prisoner and
What was done by way of stern entertainment
TO ere OF the F. f. vs. YOU will hear il ever
i've 10 return. then, a the firing to the
rear had cra,ed with revolver in hand. ac-
companled BY Fltcr, approached the fellow 5
house. having some expectation of an ounce
If lead being deposited in my tall body with
out asking my PERMISSION. Is, this time al.
our troops were "ut ol >lSht IN tie woods. hN
Il turn III the ROAD. ana was alone with II
itr' "hth some Hrgrots came from behl q
the house. having less fear OF two men than
Two th0u> Oh inquiry. the slaves told
ne that Adjutant u h!tug,~ iom We had Just
taken prisoner was the o""cr.that he beong-
ii 10 the secession arn!y. and that no whit.
5 .plkS were IN the tpu>" all ha! ING iett-With-
. ont Dt Ct.r q y
'nrvtHed the premises and found mos,
Elegantly 'Hnl>h"d mouse. took hasty sur
Ney III search OF arms. lat hndnS none. lett
NE house amt started I" "verlaA" our column.
On re@chIh the be"d II The road, took :,
survey t" the rr'f. 10 "Srt what might see
AID discovered single soldier coming toward
.ne'and 'lttd FOR nm I" com" up. found II
WIS lark, OF thv bfdi"r! company. before
i.c reached me- observed horScln1H coming
towards 'nc at iHl! speed. On reaching the
mouse he turned IN, when Induced me t.
20 cover INN with his nil, and revolver il
t'and. ordrlrI HIM to dl>mount and surrender.
he cFlcd ont WI" are '"l answer. "\er-
mont linen raise HourpI'cc.\ cNnont; am
Col DurHtH OF the L"uAvr,; and SO 1t was.
=. Ills gay looking red boys just then appeared
turning 'hr corner OK the road. coming toward
us. lie asked the cause OF the firing at the
rear ana whose premises We were IN. told
hIm h" knew the flr>t as we'll as did, but as
t. the last could give tuli mt"rmttlon: That
the house belonged to one Ad)u;ant hitting.
who, just before had sent bullet wh'zzing
by me. and Snot one OF m, boys, an,' that MY
greatest pleasure would he 70 burn the raS-
cal mousse IN payment
, our WISH vii! be sra'Iiled at once said
thc 'oi"F'ci. am "fH'red by Zen. Butler
/" burn every house whose owner or occu-
pant fires upon Our troops. Burn it," He
ieapcG from MS iorse, and upon the steps,
al'' by that time three L1ua>es were with
me. ordered them I" try the door with the
butts OF their guns. Down went the door
and III went we. y vel packed travelling
Tag lay upon mahogany table. tore it
open IN hopes OF finding It revolver, but did
not. The first thing took ont was white
linen coat. | laid it on the table, and Col
Duryea pat a lighted match to It, Other
clothing was added 20 the Pile, and soon We
had 4 rou>ing fire. Before leaving. went
INTO the large parlor. in the right wing of the
house. it was perfectly splendid 4 large
room with a tapestry carpet. nice piano. a
fac library of miscellaneous books, rich sofas,
elegant chairs, with superior necdework
wrought bottoms, what-nots in the corners.
loaded with articles of luxury, taste and re-
tinement. and uton a mahogany center-tabie
lay Bible and adys portrait. The last two
articles took. and have now in nv BOSSES
sion. also took a decantcr of most excel
lout old brandy from mahogany side board,
and left the burning house. By this time
the Zcuave regiment had come up. Joined