Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-26
OF THE
RATTLE AT RETHEI, CHTJRCH VA

COL. HILLS FULL OFFICIAL REPORT
OF THE
BATTLE AT BETHEL CHURCH, VA.
State of North Carolina, Eek. Dep,
RALEIGH, June Il, 1851; !
To tho Honorable, the President
and Members Of the Convention:
GENTLEMEN: Herewith I transmit dispatch
from Gen. D. H. HILL giving further interesting de-
tails of the battle at Bethel Church.
Too much praise cannot be accorded to our brave
soldiers who engaged in that action. will. at
an early day, as far as my power extends, manifest
the public approval of their galantry and good con-
duct upon the occasion referred to, by suitable pro-
motions.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. ELLIS.
Hon. j. W. ELLIS, Governor Of North Carolina:
SIR:-I have the honor to report that, in obedience
to the orders fro.: the Colonel commanding, l
marched on the 9Th instant with my regiment and
four pieces of Maj Randolph's Battery. from York.
town, on the Hampton Road to Bethel Church.
nine miles from Hampton. We reached there after
dark. a wet night, and slept without tents. Early
on. the morning of the 18th. made reconnaissance
of the ground preparatory to fighting. l found
branch of Back River in our front, and encircling
our right flank. On our left was dense and almost
impossible wood, except about $50 yards of old
field The breadth of the road, thick wood, and
narrow cultivated field, covered our rear. The
nature of the ground determined me to make an
enclosed work, and had the invaluable aid of Lieut.
Col Lee, of my Regiment, in its plan and construc-
ton Our position had the inherent defect of being
commanded by an immense field Immediately in
front Of it. upon which the masses of the enemy
might be readily deployed Presenting that an at
tempt would be made to carry the bridge, across
the stream, battery was made for its especial pro-
lection, and MAJ Randolph placed his guns so as to
sweep all the approaches to it The occupation of
two commanding cminences beyond the creek and
or our right, would have greatly strengthened our
position, but force was too weak to admit of the
occupation of more than one Of them. A battery
was laid out on it for of Randolph's howitzers
We had only 25 spades, axes and picks, but
these were busiy piled all day and night Of the 7th
and all day on the 9Th. On the afternoon of the
9Th learned tina: marauding party of the enemy
was in few miles of US. l called for party of 81
men to drive them back. Lieut. Roberts, of F Com
pany, of my Regiment promptly responded, and in
five minutes his command was en- route. l detached
Maj. Randolph with one howitzer, to join him, and
Lieut. Col. Lee, first regiment North. Carolina Vol
unteers requested and was granted permission to
take command Of the whole. After march of five
miles they came across the marauders, busy over
the spoils Of plundered house A shell soon put
the plunderers to flight and they were chased over
New Market Bridge, where our little force was
halted in consequence of the presence Of q consd-
cradle body stationed on the other side Lieut. Col.
Lee brought in one prisoner. How many of the
enemy were killed and wounded is not known.
None of our command was hurt Soon after Lieut..
COL Lee left q citizen came dashing in with the in
formation that 70 marauders were on the Back River
Road. called for Capt McDowelrs Company E,
IF fho fSrcf
and in three minutes it was in hot pursuit Lieut.
West Of the Howitzer Battalion, with one piece,
was detached to join them, and Maj. Lane, of my
regiment, volunteered to assume command OF the
whole. After weary march they encountered, dis
persed and chased the wrctches over New Market
Bridge This being the second race on the same
day over the "New Market Course" in both of
which the Yankees reached the goal first. Maj.
Lane brought in one prisoner Reliable citizens
reported that two cart loads and one buggy load Of
wounded were brought into Hampton. We had not
a single man killed or wounded. Col. Magruder
came up that evening and assumed command
On Sunday the 9th, fresh supply Of tools ena.
bled US to put more men to work, and when not en-
gagged in religious duties, the men worked vigor-
ousy in the Entertainments. We were aroused at
8 o'clock, on Monday morning, for general ad-
vance upon the enemy, and marched 81 miles, when
we learned that the foe in large force was within
on our entertainments, and awaited the arrival of
our invaders 1t Col. Stewart of the Sd Va. Reg.
iment having Joined US with some 100 men, was
stationed on the hill on the extreme right beyond
the creek and company G. of my regiment, was
also thrown over the stream to protect the howtzer
under Capt Brown. Capt Bridgers of Co. A., list
N. c. Regimen, took post in the dense wood be-
yond and to the left of the bridge. Maj Montague,
with three companies of his battalion, was ordered
xoo6x ht ko
ginning at the Church, and extending along the en-
tire front on that side. This fine body of men, and
the gallant command of 1t. Col. Stewart, worked
with great rapidity, and in hour had constructed
temporary shelters against the enemy's fire. just
at o'clock, A. NJ, the heavy columns of the enemy
were seen approaching rapidly and in good order,
out when Randolph opened upon them at 81, their
organization was completely broken up. The enc.
my promptly replied with his Artillery, firing
briskly and wildly. He made an attempt at de-
ployment on our right of the road, under cover of
promptly driven back by our Artillery, Virginia
Company, Che Life Guards,) and companies B. G.
and G. Of my regiment The enemy made no de-
ployment ,0ithin muskstry range during the day,
Except under cooer Of Goods fences or palings I'm.
der cover of the trees he moved strong column to
an old ford some three.quarters of mile below
where had placed picket Of some 40 men. Col.
Magruder sent Capt Worth's company of Monta-
CUES command with one howitzer under Sergeant
Crane, to drive back this column, which was done
by single shot from the howitzer. Before this,
printing wire had been broken in the vent of the
howitzer commanded by Capt Brown and rendered
it useless. force estimated at 1900 was now at
tempting to out flank u.s. and get in the rear of It.
Col. Stewards small command; he was accordingly
directed to fall back and the whole of our advanced
troops were Withdrawn. At this critical moment
directed It. COL Lee, to call Capt Bridgers out Of
the swamp, and order him to reoccupy the nearest
advanced work, and ordered Capt. Ross's company
LIST Regiment Of n. c. Volunteers to the support Of
Ii. COL Stewart These two Captains, with their
companies crossed over to Randolph's Battery; dn.
der most heavy fire in the most gallant manner.
As Ii. Col. Stewart had withdrawn, Capt Ross was
detained at the church, near Randolphs Battery.
Capt Bridgers, however, crossed over and drove tho
zouayes out Of the advanced howitzer hEtery, apd