Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-06-20
From the State JOurnaI-EXtfa.
THE FIGHT-RY AN EYE-W TNESS.

We are indebted for the facts contained in the follow
ing sketch to VIM. Tddy ESQ., of Charlotte, who was
present during the whole time and for the benefit of
those who do not know informant state that be
is intelligent gentleman and perfectly reliable:
1t appears that troops left Yorktown for Bethel
Chapel at Thursday last and reached that point
| by o'clock in the evening. The of this move
ment is, of course best known to the officers in
mand Accompanying the troops battery of four
howitzer guns manned by the Richmond Artillery. On
Saturday the Edgecombe Guards Capt. Bridgers,
out scouting and killed eight of the enemy
The time between the arrival at Bethel Church and
the engagement devoted to enrenching the PISTON
taken by Col. Hill-and our informant says the nund
was admirably well chosen. By Sunday night every
thing in readiness complete and the
| place made mpregnable
On Monday morning the troops were beat to arms
before day ard advanced from their position some two
or three miles, when they by old lady from
whom they learned that the Yankees in force in
that neighborhood This being confirmed by the scout
ing parties, the command of Col I'LL ordered back
to their entertainments. The enemys advance was
ported as they progressed by our scouts. An attack
was now inevitable. Col. Hill delivered his final in
sructions to his troops, having every at his
post and ordered that strict silence should be observed
and that should fire before the word given.
| The Linconites were now in sight. The artillery un-
der order of Col. Hill waited till the enemy in full
range and then opened upon them The first shot, as
learned from of the wounded, killed four FIVE
and wounded several. This fire opened at 500 yards
range.
The action commenced about o'clock, A. NJ The
enemy promptly returned the fire from their artillery
but did not fight with spirit. Shot and shell were
showered at our troops but nearly all passed the
entertainments and did no harm
A flank movement was now attempted on the left of
our lne but that was CALAMITY repused by the Char
lotte Greys In this attack Col D. w. WARDROBE, Of
| the N. Y. 7th Regiment, fell MORALLY wounded (Col.
Duryea not present. and hence the statement of his
death is incorrectly
On the right OF our lines swamp intervening, was
posted number of Virginia troops with one howzer
gun. BY some means this gun became spiked, owing,
it is sad to the needle used at the touchhoe breaking
10 the vent. The enemy, seeing this gun silenced,
charged upon 1t and took possession of that point threat
ening right Capt Bridgers was ordered to retake
that position which he most CALAMITY did, sustained by
the fire from the battery in the centre, and drove
1000 meL before him with about IS. They fell back
under cover of house some 80 to 40 PAGES in 'front.'
Capt b. called for volunteers from his company to fire
the building Some five stepped forward to the hazard
GUS task amongst them the brave Henry L. Wyatt, who
Immediately fell pierced with rife ball. He died that
evening. companion of WAITS shot the Yankee
who had killed his comrade and the house being on
tire by SHE'LL the four comrades returned to their ranks
The LlncOlnltes made another attempt to dsOdge
troops and failing, retreated followed shortly after by
our Cavalry who out scouting duty. The Lin
colntes had quite start of the Cavalry but were so
hotly pursued that they abandoned their knapsacks
haversacks and all their equipments on the road and
left everything behind except their arms.
The forces are set down by our informant at $500
Llncolnes, ION the authority of of their woundedl
and ZOO Confederate troops including the First Reg-
ment of North Carolina Volunteers The Infantry did
not pursue and left for Yorktown soon after the fight
where tLey arrived about midnight
The attack OF the Edgecombe Rifles, on the 1000
Llncolnles, is said to have been gallant affair. And
the manner in which the Richmond Artillery manned
their guns won for them welImerited praise. Indeed
the GOODNESS and courage of all the troops under COL
HILL is said to have been admirable The losses are be-
eved to be accurately reported n the dispatches above
published.
VISIT TO THE BLoCKADING FLEEr-Robert Mure,
Esq, as the representative of Messrs Mure Co.. Con-
slgnees and Captain Thompson, of the Br. bark Ed
UGTd, on Monday, IN the steamer Gen. Cinch, outside
the Bar, for the purpose of having an interview with
Commodore Stringham, and to request his permission
to have supply of water and provisions conveyed to
the Br bark EdOGrd which vessel is supposed to be off
ST. Helena or Tybee, in distress. When about three
miles from the shpofwar the Gen. Cianch was brou ght
too by gun from the steam gate and was soon after
approached by steam propeller of about 800 or 1000
| tons, which on coming desired to know of the
Captain OF the Ctanch what communication was desired
On being Informed of the nature of the mission Mr.
| Mure accompanied by Captain Thomson, proceeded
on board the tender, and was taken to large steam
trgate. which on boarding found to be the Wabash
Captain Mercer. AS the written communication car
RED by Mr. Mure was addressed to Commodore String
ham alone and his vessel not then in sight off the
Bar Captain Mercer did not feel authorized to act but
he Will endeavor to communicate with the Consignees
| of the Ed,oard as soon the Commodore returns
| It's believed that the Eduard has already been
partially supplied by of the feet. The name of the
propeller attending the Wabash is unknown but she
| is armed with eleven Dahlgreen guns.
Mr.. Mure was informed while on board the ships of
war that the pilot boat Savannah prvateer fitted out
IN this port had been captured by the brig Perrv and
that the privateers with prize crew. had been sent to
New York. No information was received concerning
the crew, fifteen in number but there is some reason to
believe that they board the flag ship Minnesota
This last vessel left the Bar Monday morning, and
1t thought she has gone of Savannah but this by
| no means Standardization Courier, 18th.