Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-13
4 FIGHT AT BETHEL CHURCH.
Succcsyful Skirmish between North caro-
iinIaus and The Enemy.

iinIaus and The Enemy.
It appears that the runors which prevailed
Monday in regard to a skirmish near Newport
News, on Sunday, were we'll founded. W.. r.;
McKesson, Esq, Of MOrgantown, N. G., arrived
here yesterday, by the York River cars having
loft Yorktown in a small skliFon Monday morn
inc. by which means he reached West Point
in time for the train. He brings with hin n
musket taken from the prisoner mentioned be-
low which is to be sent to DR.. J. F. E. Hardy,
of Ashcville, N. C., US a trophy, captured by
the company from that place. Also a largo
knife taken from the same prisoner.
The Richmond Dispatch yesterday issued
IN extra. from which we make the following
extracts
sKIRNIsu on SATURDAY.
Mr.. 3lrkesson furnishes us with the follow
ing particulars: c, w.,
der were stationed at Bethel Church, on the
line between Elizabeth CITY and York cOun-
ties They consisted, doubtless, Of Col. Au.
yus,'s Sd Regiment, Capt. Stanard's lIowilzer
Battery, The lst n. G. Regiment under Col.
Hill. and possibly some others-presumed not
more than ]. 500 or . 600 men. This place is six
miles from Newport News. sixteen from York.
town, and eight from Hampton.
On Saturday afternoon, Captain McDOweirs
company irom Ashcvilic, North Carolina, one
hundred strong, were out on q accommodating
expedition, with Lieutenant Gregory and ten
men some distance in advance. Coming with
IN . mile and three.quarter5 Of Hampton they
encountered 200 of the enemy on a similar ex,
c%ursion, who also had all advanced guard 10
frnnt. Lieutenant &. and his guard of ten
men approached within thirty fire steps of the
enemy, when 4 par!ey took place between them,
each party endeayoring to quiz the other
| Finally, u large man OF the enemy, who stood
near Lent. Gregory, cried out, ~ know you
arc friends! ! belong to the Second New
York Regiment! - whereupon Lieutenant G..
| placed his pistol near the New Workers. head
and exclaimed, drop your musket, or lil
blow your brains out! You are my prisoner!'
Il: the same time calling upon his men to fire.
Thu order was obeyed by Lieut.. Grcgory's
Guard; ard twenty-five Of Capt McDowells
| comtnand, some eighty steps III the rear, also
fired. The Yankees returned the fire, but
! zone Of our men were injured. From twelve
To fifteen Of the Yankees were killed and
wo:ndcd BY th;s discharge, and Lieut. Gregory
secured tbs prisoner. Capt. Mcdowell, ob.
serving the retreat Of the Northern party,
thought it proper to Withdraw his command,
as a large body Of Federal troops were within
half : mlic, and OUT l!!Ilc handful would haze
fallen an easy prey.
The North.rn soldiers Tired very badly
Lieut.. Gregory vas en- horseback, and the
balls whizzcd lar ADORE his hesG.
In their retreat, the Yankees carried their
dead and wounded in tso carts ard I buggy
to Hampton.
The PRISONER vas sent 10 Yorktown in
charge Of Il gallant youth named William 10.
rance, and another private whose name we
have mt heard.
Nothing or interest occurred on Sunday,
TUE BATTLE At BETHEL cuuRcu.
On Monday morning, about 3 o'clock, the
| Confederate force q: Bethel Church was
aroused by u rclJrt that the enemy were ap.
preaching. Ia tise minutes, says our iHlor-
;u2nt, tbs nier were under arms aud prepared
to march-determined to meet the inTadcr
and drive him back at every risk. The men
were in excellent spirits. and apparently well
pleased at the prospect OF al encounter. They
started in gcol order, with everything ready
for immediate action.
After 4 march OF three and G half miles in
the direction Of Newport News, and finding
no enctuy, they abandoned the search and re.
turned.
About six o'clock, while cur troops were at
bre&k fast, another dispatch arrived, stating
that tue enen,y-supposed abou: 1900 strong,
were advancing, and wure then within three
miles, with several pieces Of artillery. Our
troop had bnt six cannon.
Tncy ut once made preparations for u deadly
conflict.
At this poiHt our informant left for York.
town, snl ~ arriving there, met Col. De
Russ.'s i:uiSiarE II gIncr', ! .Q"G <tTcng, in
raJ!G mr,"!l iD"Ir,i, ,nr s!:3c ii ac:ihs:.
N-. NcM. while vr York river, tlgrc hours
~at;crauu, Nea,d i.eav% tari.,rad.rs, End saw
volumes ii SruIkr.
ANOTHER LETTER.
IL tic Et!tors ..f:as Dixyetch