Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-06-20
DISPATCHES FROM GEN. BUTLER.

Lieut.. J. II. BUTLER, nephew Of Gen. BCT
LER, has arrived here with dispatches to Gen
SCoTT lie states that the rolls were called be
fore he left Fort Monroe, on yesterday at 6
o'clock, and there were bnt fourteen men kill
ed aud forty.ive wounded upon oar side in
all Two were killed in the unfortunate meet.
ing OF the three different Federal detachments
who before daylight came in conflict, miStak
ing each other for enemies Twelve were after
wards killed during tho tight before the bat
tercs
There were three batteries opened on our
troops from the right, left and centre Of the
road to Yorktown. La all, there were about
thirty cannon served, many of them being rife
pieces Our forces had only light battery Of
three feldpieces Founders, at iirst-and a
fourth, which came up during the conflict.
The fight at the batteries commenced at |
o'clock in the forenoon of Monday, and lasted
necessarily till about 2 O'Clock. The New
York Zouaves, Col. HAWKINS, ieii aside from
the road aud got in range across one OF the
batteries doing good execution for over halt
an hour, but they got out OF ammunition, and
were ordered to fall back with the retreat.
On the water side it was impossible to ap-
proach the battery. After the first voIeys
were GreL upon tue central battery, the column
opened right aud left, and entered the woods,
with o view 10 turning the flank OF the enemy,
while the field pieces served by tie MasSachu-
/ setts boys held their position in the centre for
time. The odds were too great, however.
and the retreat was finally made good, only
Que of the field pieces being saved.
| The loss OF the enemy must be very heavy,
Lient BUTLER. who was present during the
! conflict thinds that at least two hundred reb.
els must have been killed and wounded.
Major WINTHROP of Massachusetts, Aid to
Cen BUTLER, is missing. He left his horse
with servant, at the roadside, and entered
the wsodS to reconnoitre. He has not return.
ed and it is feared he is killed, or has been
taken prisoner.
I But four prisoners were taken by the Fed
sral forces.
Orders were given by Gen. BUTLER, at the
outset, that The different detachmentS shonld
distinguish themselves by wearing a white
badge on the aim. This was done and it is
inexplicabIe that Col. BENEIx, Of the New
York German Regiment, should have fired on
his cwn friends, when he came in sight of them
inasmuch as they might have been known by
their badges.
The conduct of BFigader Gen. PIERCE is
again seyarely commented on. He retired to
the rear, confused and unable to give any
orders that his men cond comprehend. lie
cried, Boston, charge y but none could hear
him, at any distance, and one man cried out
charge be ID How are you going tc
charge that internal fire." The Boys stood theil
ground as long as it was of any use.
Capt SMITH, Of Col. TowNsEND's Albany
Regiment was wounded through the arm
lie bound it up, and bravely continued in th'
fght up to the last moment.
Col TOWNSEND himself behaved with grea
GOODNESS aud gallantry throug hcut the con
lct.
Gen. BUTLER feels deeply the loss OF TIT
gallant Lieut., GEEBLE, whom he esteemed a
o most accomplished young officer.