The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-06-20
THE BETHEL SKIRMISH.
Official Report of Col. Duryee.

Headquarters, Camp Hamilton, near
Fortress Monroe. Tuesday June IL, !
SIR: In accordance With your instruc
tions previously received ! proceeded, ou
the 9th Of June, at III O'Clock p m, on
the march to Bethel. X
The first two miles to IIampton Bridge
we proceeded leisurely along. waiting for
the howitzer, which should he placed at
Hampton Creek. much delay vas occa
stoned by the non arrival of the surf boats,
hich were to convey the egiwent across
the river, and it was 10 O'Clock before
the column was formed, ready to push
forward upon the other side.
We now advanced rapidly, aod soon
aiue up with our two companies of skir-
nisbers, under Capts. Bartlett and Xii
patrick, Wbo had been dispatched ahead
en- hour and half previous. Proceed :
ing steadily on, without resting a mo
ment, we came, about Z o'clock in the
morning, to Little Bethe,, distance Of
about I3 miles. At this point We dis
covered and surprised the picket guard
of the enemy, and mounted officer. With
four or Ave foot, were taken prisoners.
While pushing forward toward Big
Bethel, we suddenly beard heavy FIRE
Of musketry and cannon in our rear. be-
speaking a severe engagement. Suppos-
Jog it to be an attempt Of the enemy to
cut of our reserve. We iw mediately caun-
term archcd in quick and double-quiak
time, when, having proceeded about five
miles, we came upon two of our regl
meuts, aud ledrDed that. in the darkness
of the night, they had mistaken each 9th
er for enc mies, and that an unfortunate
eng agement, accompanied with some loss,
bad taken place. We then. by your
con ID and, returned and advanced upon
Great Bethel. being supported by the 9TH
Regiment, uDder Col. Bendiz, and the
Sd, under Col Towsend.
Proceeding to within a mile Of County
Bridge. the colum halted, Cspts. KilPat-
rick and Bartlett having discovered that
the enemy were holding strong position
in battery at the head of the road. We
now drew up in line of battle on the ri ht,
at the skirts of the woods and the artil
lery-two howiizers and brass 6 poun
der-Was pushed soue thirty RODS up the
road. At this poiut. Lieut.Col. Warren
rode into The field and assumed bis posi-
ton in the regiment, and. from his pre-
roas knowledge of the ground, proved of
invaluable assistance.
Cspts. WinslQw, Bartlett, and KilPat-
rick, having been ordered to advance, un-
de. Lieut.. Col Warren, as skirwishers,
the resia ent was formed on the left, from
whence | ledthc oolnu n in person, up the
road, toward the enemys battery; tut
the firing proving very destructive, We
march, i; good order till We were coz
cred by SIC woods Gu the right, where
se halted for some tine to rest, aud IN
order to complete the preparations for
charging the batteries in flank. In the
uesDiine, Lieut.. Col. Warren made u
rerceUoisaoce, and reported plan of at
tack.
| then led Of the troops to the left, in
the open field, and also to the ri BIT, sup
ported on the right by the German Ri
fes. After several attempts to charge
batteries, being prevented BY the creek.
we withdrew. by your command, to tie
rear, and having collected our killed and
wounded, surh as We could find, proceed
ed down the main road. Lieut.. Col
Warren, however, with small detaoh
ment, remained and drought away the
body Of Lieut. Greble, With the field piece
be was serving with such effect at the time
Of his death.
Our chaplain also remsined to take
care of the sounded, but being cut of by
a company of cavalry, he only escaped
by taking to the woods, and escaping uD-
der cover of the night We continued
our march toward Hampton. and reached
the bridge, having only four killed, twelve
wounded, and two missing,
The following names deserve an honor
ablo mention: Lieut. Col. Warren, for
his aid in forming the plan of attack, and
remaining among the last to bring away
a brother officer; also, Chaplain Wins
low, for his many kind attentions to the
wouoded; also, Capts. Bartlett KilPat-
rick, and Winslow, for the effective man.
ner iD which they skirmished before the
snemy's heavy fire; also, Lieutenant j
Dor yea, whd led the charge on the left
flank of tho batteries; also, Lieutenants
York and Cam berling; Surgeon Gilbert,
for performing upon the field Of battle
successful amputations, and for his con-
tinued attentions to the suffering and
wounded. not ouly on the"6eld, but after
ward, when almost exhausted; also Lieut.
Gov. Carr, who was commanding Compa
ny B. bis captain being i'll, and Lieut..
George Duryea; also. Sergeants Agnes,
Onderdonk, aud Allison, and Corporal
BruDner.
Yet there was no finchipg On the part
of any officer or private, aud ! might
mention many more with honor. In
closing, | cannot but speak Of Col. Town
send, of the 3D., who, with his wb bole COM
mand, stood up nobly in my support, uu.
til compelled to retreat by the terrible
fire. Per order. Col. A. Dursee.
Lieut.. Nj Msllory, Aid de Camp 10 Brig.