The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-06-19
Fight at Great y nel.


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FonrnEss NoNao1 June =.
Gen. Butler having learned that the
Rebels were fortifying 3 camp with strong
batteries at Great Bethel, nine miles from
Hampton, on the Yorktown road, deemed
IL necessary to dislodge them
Accordingly, movements were made.
last night, from Fortress Monroe and
Newport News About midnight, Col.
Duryea's zonases and Col. TownseBd's
Albany Regiment crossed the river at
Hampton, by means of six large batteaux,
manned by the Naval Brigade, and took
up the line of march, the former some
two miles in adsacce of the latter Al
the same time, Col Benedix's Regiment
and detachments of the Vermont aud
Massachusetts Regulars. at Newport
moved forward to form junction with
the Regulars from Fortress Monroe, at
Little Bethel. about half way between
Hampton aaA Great Bethel
The z ,uaves passed Little Bethel
about 4 A M. Col. Benedix's Regiment
arrived aud took mp a position at the in
tersection of the roads.
Not understanding the signal. the Ger.
man Regiment, in the darkness of the
night, fred upon Colonel Townsend's coli
umn. marching in close order and led by
Lieutenant Butler, Son and Aid de. Camp
Iof General Butler, with two pieces of ar
j tillery. Other accounts say that Colonel
Townsend's Regiment fred first. At all
events the fire of the Albany Regiment
was harmless, while that of the Germans
was fatal, killing one man aud wonnding
seriously two Others, with several other
slight casualties
! The Albany Regiment. being back of
the Germans discovered. frem The accou.
trements left in the field, that the sup.
4 1posed enemy was friend. They had in
the meantime nine rounds with small arms
and field piece Tne Zoaaves, hearing
the firing. turned and also fred upon the
Albany boys.
q Al dayoreak. Col Aliens and Col.
! Carr's Regiments moved from the rear o.
! the Fortress to support the main body.
) The mistake at Little Bethel having
, been ascertained. The buildings were
burned. and q Major. with two p.ominen
: secessionists. taken prisoners.
The troops then advanced upon Greal
!, Bethel. but our three small pieces of ar
s tillery we're unable to cope with the heay,
!, rifed cannon of the enemy.
7 The Rebel battery wa.s comp!etel
masked; no men could ne seen-ouly til
{ flashes Of the gans. There we're not les
S tsan SU0 men behind the batteries G
+ the Rebels.
t, A well concerted movemen. nigh. hay
r, secured the position, but Brig. Heaer.
! Pearce, who commanded. the expedi,io,
b appears to have log. Lis presence Of min.
| The Trey Regiment stood for an hor
lr exposed to calling 6ie, when an o-dt
to retreat was at last given.
Lieut.. Gubble, of the United State
ID Army, and 10 command of the altillsr1
,e was struck by q cannon ball, aud instan
OILY killed. He had spiked his guns an
ID was gallantiy endeavoring to withdraw b
ID command. Capt. Geo. W. Wilson,
the Troy Regiment, after the order to r,
u gun, aud brought it from the Geld, vii
is the corpse of the Lieutensnt. Both we
is eroughI TO Fortress Monroe 1t s evenin,
iii There are p-onably about 25 kile
in and LOO of .ne Federal troops wouude
le Lieut., Butler deserves the create
y credit for bringing off the killed an
wounded. Several of the latter are no
a. lin he Hospital here.
Great indignation is manifested again
Brig. Gen. Pearce.
1t is not known how many men we
KILLED or wounded in the unfortsnate CO
lision of the Federal troops, previous
marching on Great Bethel. The loss wa
however, inconsiderabe.
The. fire of our troops on the mask
battery did apparently little executio
being composed of small field pieces al
nc howitzers, against the riaed cannon of L
Rebels The attack lasted but half
er hour, when retreat was sounded, and ex
cu,ed in good order. The troops throng
en- out this trying affair behaved well. Es
to mated number killed was about go al
81 100 wounded. Maj Winthrop, Aid
in Gen. Butler, and Lieut.. COL Grinuell
ed the New York First Regiment, are mis-
We ing Amongst the killed are Lier
IN Gnbbs of q. S Artillery. He was stru
II on the right side of the forehead by
in &c cannon, the ball from which bore aW
rd the upper part of the head
Ir-
l.
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