The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-16
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL ALLEN
FIRST REGIMENT N. Wv.

OUR CAMP HAMILTON CORRESPONDENCE.
CAM HAMILTON FORTRESS MoNRoz, June IL, 1851
The Battle at Big BeAel-Co,onel VIM. H. ANens
Official Report-BD Bethel Burned and Eu1euasd
byAe Reiels-7he Esceyire Heat-HealA Of the Trocps-
Pywpecs Of more N9hting, &C., de-
The following copy Of the report Of Colonel VIM. e.
Allen, Of the First regiment National Guard New York
Volunteers the post taken by that regiment in
the battle at Big Bethel, on the 10th inst.
CAN'T HAMILTON. VIRGINIA, June IL, 1851
MAJOR GRSEBAL B +. BUrER-
sls-I have the honor report that, in accordance
with orders from General Pierce the night
OF the 9th inst my command was ordered under arms
eleven 7. N and marched to Hampton creek 10 sup
port Cclonels Townsend ard Duryee returned to this
camp at four A. a. OF the 10Th inst, and was again
ordered out at six A. NJ. to proceed forward to Big
toned In force. After rapid march Of twelve miles
reached the ground and found the action going Upon
Iepo ting to General Perce he directed me to proceed
to the front end depoy regim cnt In front Of the
battery which did and no remained for ono hour and
forty minutes under heavy fire o. at least twenty guns
como Of them ri1ed and about four shell gups-the
enemy oeploying in MP front with about 200 and
two guns, but made advance. They, however, threw
two heavy snkng parties my right ard left, the
former with two guns and completely outlanked Dthe
entire brigade at which time General Pierce deemed
proper 70 retire From the most reliable information
enemy on the ground vi constant reinforcements from
Yorktown Very respectfully o WI r r. aleu-,
oo,ored ran has just come In from about two
miles beyond Big Bethel, and reports that imnedi
ately after retreat the rebels anticipating that
would return with heavy pieces and give them
another try destroyed their batteries, burned
the Big Bethel church and other buildings
deserted the town and retreated to Yorktown.
AT twelve N. 10 dcy was in Camp Hamilton and saw
three secession women under an escort and with per-
mission General Butler searching the tents OF the
First regiment for property which had been taken
tho scouts. Upon inquiry, found that the husbands OF
these women and the women Themselves had fed and
left their habations and the scouts finding the houses
deserted had taken the furniture and brought into
camp bedding and most Of the furniture were care
but the bOys had taken of the chairs and looking
glasses and put them in their tonts and were feeling
quito comfortable In their well furnished quarters and
did much relish the presence Of the fair ones OF Viz
En with their horees and csrts Nevertheless, every
thing was yielded up quietly, because that was the
order: but they seemed TO think IL was an easy
way TO conduct war--the husbands OF these wo-
men one day firing upon them, and the next day
sendug their wives 10 search the tents and carry away
whatever they claimed belonged to them. OF course they
havs svery opportunity 10 learn the position and force or
army they were shrewd and sharp enough to DO
IT. for noticed that tao Of them looked after the prop
erty while tho third with pencil and piece OF paper,
was setchine the position Of things thought at hrst
abe enly tsking list Of the articles put nadver-
family stepping behind her. discovered that she was
eketchpg instead Of writing
day, but At evening balmy and sweet few o. the
troops are SICK.
from very reliable authority, that General
Butler giving the boys some more work soon IN
the direction o. Norfolk and Richmond Upon telling
this to equad Of the men to day, they all cried out
1Thats gooa shall have the privilege OF seeing some
more Of their ladies' after tho battle ia overP'