The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-06-22
AFFAIR AT GREAT DETHEA. ,fg
Further and More heIiabie Particulars,
. ~" Irro'u 1He NC" iOrK HerIu - n. \
CAMP DIX, FoRrREss Mon ROE, June 10, lS6l

l..
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF TIE BATTLE AT BIG BETH.
Ell, By SOLDIER WHO WAS ENGAGED THERE
IN, &c a@ 5' s. 20. a-.-
have ut last some interesting though not
very good news to communicate to YOU. Yes
terday morning the camp was called 10 arms BIZ
beat of drum at O'clock to march, where we
knew NOT. W. were supported by the Second,
Third, Fifth and Seren.hsfegiments, but 10 ar
tillery Col. Duryee's Xoutves were sent in ad.
vance about two hours ahead, but the General
who had command of our brigade knew nc more
about his business than child, and his incom-
potency caused US to suffer the way we did with.
out gaining one single point our repulsc was
what should call palpable defeat. We march
ed about ten miles through road closed on each
side with thicky set trees, when suddenly the Ell
emy's batteries opened upon us. Good Gcd |!
what fire! One lieutenant and the only ser.
geant were killed at The first discharge They
used rifle cannon, end their rife balls came
crashing through the trees scattering the branch
es and stumps among US. our men never finch
ed they marched steadily on, under broiling
sun. can never forget the sight. 1t was ter
rife. Here and there we could meet some of
Duryee's men lying, some dead and some dying.
We passed one leg and ono hand, which had been
torn to peices by those rifed cannon. We march.
ed up a lane directly opposite tho Southren bat
x
posed US to most raking FIRE of shot and shell
for some time. Wehalted Immediately in front
of picket fence, which we were ordered to
tear down. We did so, aud were then ordered
to charge the battery. 0ne single regiment to
charge twenty rfled cannon in line, and an un.
known force 1t we had ever charged, there
would not be a man left to tell the tale. We
were then ordered to lay on our faces on the hot
sand, and there for one hour and forty minutes
we were exposed to that awful fire. The balls
sang Dixie" and plowed up the ground in
front and behind US. Tie shells tore up the
sand and scattered it in our mems eyes. To have
taken that battery we ought to have had two
batteries of flying artillery; but we had only one
single six-pounder, served by eight regulars and
one lieutenant, who, poor fellow, the last shot
that he fred was struck by cannon ball, which
carried away the back part Of his head scattering
his brains over our doctors coat, who was help.
ing to carry wounded man off the field. As
soon as the regulars saw their lieutenant kill
ed, they deserted their gun, when one of our
companies took it home. We were obliged to
beat retreat, which we did in good order, leav-
ing about forty on the field. As our ambulance,
with wounded, was going down the road a party
of cavalry dashed out of the woods and fred on
the wagon, which our men returned, killing
twenty of them and taking four prisoners. If
W,
been able to have given them good reception !;
but they knew too much. 1t is wonder we
were not cut to peices. We could see their bay.
onets cleaning through the bushes in the sum
light
| PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT, FROM AN OFFICER IN
THE ENGAGEMENT.
The following particulars of the battle at Big
Bethel are from an officer engaged in it, and who
arrived in this city last night: Our forces had
been closing in around the battery of the enemy,
and had obtained important points with little loss
when the order to retreat was given. At this
time, Captain Clark, of the Massachusetts, Rifles,
| with his two companies, lay on the left flank in
such position that the enemy sworks and move.
ments were in full view. The First Vermont reg.
| ment, Lieut.. Col. Washburn, had outfanked
the rebels, and gained position in the rear, and
| poured hot fire into the battery and silenced
| it. Our troops in front of the enemy thought
they were out Of ammunition, when in reality
they could not stand against the well directed
| fire of the Vermonters. Just at this time Gen.
1 Pierce gave the order to cease fire and retreat
Not man was hurt of the Vermont regiment un
til the rebels resumed their firing. after which
the Federal troops began to retreat, which they
| did in good order A member Of the Vermont
regiment is missing and three or four were woun.
! ded II Is feared that the missing man was kill.
ed, as nothing was heard of him up to Wednes.
| day night.
The vermonters behaved nobly They flanked
the enemy, marched down one Of their bitches,
almost to within five rods of the breastwork, and
opened CALLING fire upon them. The rebels
taken by surprise, were perfectly panic struck,
and left the ditch. Az last as they left they
we're picked of by the Massachusetts, rifles. Be
fore they attempted to escape, ana before the
| Vermont regiment had gained their important
position, Captain Clark's men had done such
good service with their rides thstthe rebels dare
not show their heads above their breastwork
but discharged their rifles at random. A large
number Of the enemy are known to have beer
shot by Capt, Clarke men. The dead and wound
ed Of the enemy were removed in horse carts In
the bitches. When our troops retreated, The
chaplain Of the Massachusetts, rifles was cut of
from the main body, and narrowly escaped be-
ing arrested by hiding in the woods, near the
meeting house. That gentleman states that the
meeting house was used as . hospital, that il
was filed with the dead and wounded, and ssti