Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-15
THE AFFAIR Ar BETHEL.
A Northern Account.

Special Dispatch TO the Cincinnati Enquirer.
BALTIMORE. JuHe u The steamer Geozgiana,
from Old Point, arrived at her wharf this morning
and brings some interesting particulars of the en-
gagement at Great Bethel Monday morning last.
Capt Butler nephew of General Butler, came up
in the Georglanna bearer Of dispatches to Wash
ingtOn. Several other officers came up as passen-
gers and private of Duryea's Zouaves on some
business connected with the fort had a converse
ton with Capt Butler and some of the officers of
the boat and from them enabled to CLEAN the
following particulars, The number Of killed Of the
Federal side will not it is said, exceed fifteen or
sixteen. and the wounded fifty or sixty. All the
killed and wounded were brought back to Fortress
Monroe last Monday.
The charge of the Naval Brigade who are said
TO have acted in the bravest manner in going into
the field and bringing the bodies off during the
thickest of the fight. thus exposing themselves TO
the greatest danger from the fire of the enemy. 1t
the opinion Of all who witnessed their conduct
that if they had been provided with arms they
could have silenced the battery q shert time.
The entire blame of the unfortunate result OF the
affair is laid on the shoulders of Gen Fierce, who
is execrated by every for his total want eff
cheney. This sentlmt mt was shared alike by both
Union men and Secessionsts the latter especially
openly expressing their contempt for him. General
Butler was perfectly enraged against him, and
when Pierce was brought before him he cursed
him, called him fool and coward; told him he had
failed in the performance of his duty declaring that
he had no confidence in him, and that he would not
hereafter trust him, matter how small or unlm-
portant the affair.
The bridge which divided the river was wood
en- one, threefour,hs of a mile long, and had been
burned by the Confederates. The night before
there had been good deal Of skirmishing between
the opposing forces. The day before the commence
ment OF the battle they captured the prisoners who
were cooking some victuals before small fire
These men had been sent outon accommodating eX-
petition, and did not perceive the Federal troops
until too late TO retreat Captain Whiting states
that the Confederate troops were commanded by
Colonel Magruder, late of tie United States Army
and there were at least twenty-five hundred men
in the batteries, which were constructed in most
formidable manner. The loss of the Confederates
is reported by the passengers TO have been heavy
but the exact number killed and wounded not
known. There were on y three regiments on the
Federal side in the erg tgement, com risng eighteen
hundred men. The Colonies Of the olSer regiments
refused to order their men TO march up to the bat
tery declaring that such was their want Of conf
dence in General Pierce, that they would not run
the risk of imperiing their lives, preterring 70 be
court martialed than do SO.
Daring the fight the frigate Cumberland ran up
the river aud took position near the battery, but
did not open fire upon it. The Zouave who came
I'D in the GeOrgians informed me that he AMI
three others while out & accommodating eX
petition last week, visited the place where the
battery had been erected, but ut that time there
was no eviden of any intention to occupy It.
It was an old fort, which hal been stsR1ing for
years Since the visit the Confederates had gone
TO work and fixed it up, covering 1t with branch.
es of trees and making heavy establishments OF
sand, placing the most effective cannon IN 1t. The
Federal troops did not expect to find a pasked
battsry stCtioaed at the pace and were surprised
when 1t first opened fire upon them.
There were three thousand in the fortress and
eight or nine thousand in tho vicinity Provisions
and fresh water were plenty. General Butler was
making extensive prepar ttions for another move
ment which he would command in person, and it
was expected that the battery would be taken be-
fore the close of the eek.