The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-13
additional Particulars Of the
Battle Of Big Bethel
Fem. Buffers Official Report
Of the Engagement.
ehs Dreadful BluDder Of the New YMk
German Seventh Regiment.
hast Of the Names Of the Killed
and Wounded,

WASHINGTON, June II, 1861.
colonel George Butler, aid to General Butler, arrived
ere night, with dispatches to General scott, CIV
g an ofasial report OF the battle at Big Bethel This
scsunt states that fourteen killed and forty four
wounded The most sad part of is that six Of the four
cen killed were slain by the accidental meeting OF the
wo companies detailed advance guards from the
German New York; and Colonel Townsends albany
regiments.
am satisfied that there is truth In the report thai
he masked battery has been taken or that any know
ease has been received TO that effect The War Depart
neAt is not able to trace the report To any reliable
BonYee.
Colonel Butler aid to General Butler, who distinguish
ID himself at the battle OF Big Bethel, here
bearer Of dispatches General Scott says that he has
slightest doubt that the battery has been taken
before this time.
The whole blame Of the failure of forces ia attrbu
liable 70 the inefhcency Il General Pierce
Colonel Butler gays when he left there determine
ZION 10 take it, and the various regiments each
srivipg for the advance. Every day shows the
y Of calling cut troops in order to have active
operations in the field all the time, that the enemy
woald be allowed time reinforce while troops
are getting rest. We have men enough begging to
be received to settle this Who'll question In nalf
the time 1t Will take by sending forward inferior
force badly differed and without artillery of sufficient
cahbre
One Of Lieutenant Greble's command assured our in
formsnt that had advance been ordered instead Of
retreat, the battery would have been taken in I've
MN ues more. Lieutenant Greble had silenced all their
pqps but rifed cannon, which was fred with great
rapidty and concentrated entirely on his command.
This gun worked we'll the rest were badly managed,
their balls cutting off the tops and limbs Of trees over the
heads Of the eoldiers Had the battery been well sup.
piled with experienced gunners doubt the loss would
have been heavy.
Lieut. Grebe spiked his gun at the moment he received
orders to retreat 1t s supposed account OF his
prise at the orders presuming Gen. Pierce had discover
cd attempts to cut him Off and that his gun should be
captured In retreat he would make 1t harmless he had
just driven the spike home when he killed by ball,
strikiIg him on the back Of the head
The body of Lieutenant G. arrived here Bsltimore)
this mernng, and has been taken to Philadelphia
The New York Seventh (aerman) under Col. Bendix,
evineed great bravery, and could with difficulty DO re-
strained from making assault without orders.
Five rebels known TO have been killed by the
zouaves outside the works. and 1t is presumed from the
elective firing Of Lieut. Greble, that considerable damage
rst have been done the rebels inside the battery,
which was built Of sand bags, hidden from view by
bushes.
The number Of Zouaves killed s, and wounded 20
are missing They attribute their heavy loss to their
bright uniforms whilst the regulars attribute it to their
superior bravery.
SeveralSof the killed were inhumapy slaughtered
whilst engaged in conveying off their wounded, which
caused the most bitter feeling among the troops.
Last evening just the boat leaving the Zouaves
brought in three prisoners-a captain Of rebel cavalry
and two privates, splenddly mounted. The elegant
trapping Of the captains horse attracted great attention
Another attack Big Bethel h shortly expected
TIE picket guards extend nearly to the battle field
The ramored loss Of Major winthrop is unfounded,
GEN. BUTLER's OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE
BATTLES.
WASHINGTON June 10, 1861.
The following Gen. Buffers official report Of the AZ
fair at kattie and Big Bethel
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
FORTRESS MONROE, June 10, 1881.
TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL ScoTT -
GENERAI-Having learned that the enemy had estab
shed an outpost Of strength at place called Little
Bethel small church, about eight miles from Newport
News, and the same distance from Hampton, from
whence they accustomed nightly to advance both
Newport News and the picket guards Of Hampton TO
annoy them and also from whence they had come down
il small squads Of cavalry and taken number Of Onion
men, some of whom had the safeguard and protection
OF the troops Of the United States and forced them into
the rebel ranks and that they also gathering
I'D The slaves of citizens who had moved away and left
their farms charge of their negroes carrying them to
work In ntrenchments at Williamsburg and Yorkto wn,
had determined 10 sozd up force to drive them back
and destroy their camp the headquarters OF which was
this small church. had aIeo learned that at placea
short distance further on the road to Yorktown
On outwok Of the rebels the Hampton side Of place
called Big Bethel large church, the head Of the
perth branch Of Back river, and that here was very
considerable rendezvous, with works OF more less
strength process Of erection aud from this point the
whole country laid under contributed
Accordingly ordered General Pierce, who Is Ia COM
mandof Camp Hamilton, at Hampton Ato send Duryees
regiment Of zouaves be ferred northampton creek
one occck this morning. and TO march by the road up
BRIDGE then crossing The BRIDGE to go By
bv road and thus put the regiment In the rear Of the
enemy and between Big Bethel and Little Bethel in part
for the purpose of cutting him of, and then to make
attack upon Little Bethel directed General Pierce 10
eppport him Hampton with Colonel Townsends re-
ginent with two mounted howitzers, aud 10 march
about an hour later At the same time I direct
ed Colonel Phelps, commanding at Newpor. News,
to send out q battalion, composed Of such
companies Of the regiments under his command
az he though. BEST under command Of Lieutenant Colo
mel Washburn, in time 70 make demonstration upon
Little Bethel in front, and TO have him supported by
Glouel Bendx' regiment, with two field pieces. Ben.
Az "a and rownserds regiments should effect junction
:. c, OF the road leading from Hampton to Newport
N.w, Gonna .'dDg like mile and half from Little
pho Idi,eet, Il the march to be timed that the at
,ct sboud be naa just at daybreak, and that after
the attack was made u,'on Little Bethel puryes's
regiment and regiment from Newport News
Should follow Immediately upon Gne nees ~
tbe fugitives they enabled to cut then OIL ana
attack the battery the road to Bg Betie, ~nue
covered by the fugves; or, il was thought exOetent
b. General Pierce failing 70 surprise the camp at Little
Bethel they should attempt to talse the work near Big
Bethel To prevent the possibility OF mistake in the
darkness directed that attack should be made unit.
tiwatchword should be shoutea By the attacking res
men, and in cast ihat by any mistake N tho march tle
regir en,s hat were to make the junction thona r,S
pectsdly meet and DO unknown to each otder, ESQ
o-eosd ;has psrnbers Of Col roTnsends regln'tt
aboih be knevH, n daylight, 81 'o..l'ns ~a'te
uorp ~ TIT a1a. The troops vt.c e'or1'sTp '' n