Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-12
FROM FORrR sSS MONROE.
Particulars Of the R .pul.e n, Big Bethel

We are in possession of tue following partlcu-
lars of the engagement between the Federzl and
Confederate troops in the vicinity of Fortress
Monroe. The history Of the movement under
Gen. Pierce is this:
Gen Butler had received information that the
enemy were building intrenchments at Big
Bethel and that at Little Bethel, four miles this
side, there was a camp Of three companies Of in
fantry Of sixty men each, and two hundred horse
men. Concerning the latter position he had de-
finite information, but to the force, &c. at Big
Bethel no information was obtainable He de-
termined to attempt surprise Of the position at
Little Bethel and gave orders to Col Duryee's
Fifth New York regiment, and Col Townsends
Third New York (Albany) regiment with two IL
Founders, to move at midnight Duryee's men
were thrown In advance
These regiments were to act In conjunction with
Colonel Benedix's Seventh New York Regiment
(Steuoen Guards), three companies Of the First
Vermont Regiment, Col. Washburne command.
Ing, and five companies Of the Massacbu
Fourth Regiment.
Col. Duryea crossed Hampton Creek, met the
Newport forces as arranged, and left behind Col.
Benedix, at point where the Newport News road
and Hampton road meet. 10 guard against sur
prise from Yorktown.
Col Townsend was accompanied by General
Pierce and staff at head Of column; Lieut. J. n
Butler, Of General Buffers staff (his son. and
" chip OF the old block - was in commsnd OF
two mountain howitzers Col. Benedix mIstook
lne howltzer horses for cavalry, and knowing that
Tue r ederai forces had no cavalry, supposed that
the advancing column was the enemy, and at once
opened a sharp hre OF grape and musketry, killing
Two men and wounding twenty-three
"a Int 4
IRE from the rear Of the Lowitzers, with the
further disastrous effect Of wounding two artl-
eriss and two Of the horses attac he'd to howl zers
Townsend thinking he had met an am buscade CT
dered retreat, leaving young Butler with howit.
zers to guard the bridge. In the mean time. Dur
yeas men, who were two or three miles in adj
vance OF Benedix, hearing the firing returned and
opened fire on Townsend's men across the creek
BY this time the Stcuben Guards had found soue
OF tue dead bcdies Of those they had killed and,
recognizing the uniform, realized their mistake
Gen. Pierce, meantime, had sent bac * for REIN
forcements, thinking that he was attacked by
large force from Yorktown
he mistake having been rectifed, the column
moved on, reached the point Of attack designated
by Gen. Butler, and took three prisoners-one of
them a cavalry officer.
The enemy at Little Bethel had taken the alarm
from the firing, and made good their treat to
Big Bethel Gen. Buffers orders ended at this
point, and but for the mistake Of Col Benedix.
would have resulted In brilliant success, as the
surprise Of the enemy at Little Bethel must have
been complete.
Gen. Pierce apparently with the idea Of retriev-
Ing the blunders OF the night decid to move
on againstthe Great Bethel batteries; Col Durvea
In advance, Col Townsend bringing up the rear.
When within quarter Of a mile Of the batteries.
they opened fire suddenly on the Federal troops
straight down the road. The fire would have
been most destructive but for the troops being
Immediately ordered under cover of the trees at
the right OF the road.
Under cover OF Lieut.. Greble's two brass six
Founders, Col. Duryea ordered charge Of the
enemy's batteries, and advanced under q heavy
fire, but found his progress stopped in front by
morass and by deep creek on bis right. The
corduroy bridge leading to the batteries YVES FAXED
by heavy artillery, rendering IT impossible. A
reconnaissance being taken, 1t was found that tn
turn the left flank of the battery force world 70
quire detonr Of five miles exposing the Column
to the danger Of being cut of by the Yorktown
forces
Meantime Col Aliens and Col Cars first
and Second New York Regiments came I'd with
reinrorcements OF 500 men. General Pierce mt
knowing that Col. Duryea had found the marsh
impossible, ordered Colonies Allen and Carr into
line OF battle to support Duryea and BenediS in
their assault. DuTyea sent word back that II Wa
not possible to cross
zen Pierce seems at this point to have lost all
presence Of mind, though he showed no penonaI
fear-exposing his person freely. He apparently
forgot that Col. Aliens and Cars regiment were
exposed to the murderous fire. and left them for
an hour and half in this position with no orders
to fire back or retreat.
The enemy's tre is described as'dsvIlish hot,
from apparently or 10 guns, some from a bat
terry near the bridge, and others from battery on
the hill. An extremely effective fire was deliy
cred by Benedix's Regiment into the batteries
Sklrnishers OF Duryea's Regiment also poured
an effective dre into the batteries, and some
Of them actually made their way across, and
penetrated the lower one, dis ,overing extensive
rife pits there. One Of the skirmishers brough,
away Sharpe's rife he took from one of the
enemy In this battery.
Gen. Pierce finally ordered a retreat. and inst
as Lieut. Greble, who had been working his gun.
with the coolest bravery In the very teeth Of III.
heaVy batteries opposite, was killed by a sho,
from rlfsd cannon. Captain Wilson, of Carts
Regiment, commanded the company who res
caed Greole's body and brought away the gun.
AS the Federal forces left, the Confeder-
ate forces showed great harbar,ty by firing upon
the ain6ulances containing the dead and wounded
Of the Federal troops
ABOUT half way back on the return to Hampton
the troops met Gen. Butler advancing to take the
command in person.
The number Of killed and wounded has been
over-estimated. Positively but IA were killed,
and II wounded
Maj Winthrop, who is missing, was member
oi0en. Buffers staff, fighting ON his own hook,
he was the author Of the spirited article In the
as' number OF the Atlantic Monthly, describing
the march OF New York Seventh to w ashingt ton
The Battle near Fortress Monroe.