Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-06-19
SUMMARY OF WAR NEWS

camp with strong batteries at CIreat bethei,
nine miles from Hampton, on the Yorktown
road he deemed it necessary to disloge them.
Accordingly, movements were made last night
from Fortress Monroe and Newport News.
About midnight, Col. Duryea's Zouaves and
Col. Townsend IS Albany regiment took up
the line march, and were followed Col. Bene-
dix's regiment, and a detachment of Vermont
and Massachusetts, troops. The two columns
were to form junction at Little Bethel.
portion OF the troops took position at the ID
tersection of the roads Little Bethel and
when the other came up, not understanding
the sign al, they fired into one another, Killing
some or s, and wounding others.
After an explanation and mutual under
standing it agreed to move on to Great
Bethel and the entire force took up their line
of march for that point, which is three miles
from the place where the error was committed.
AS soon as the right of the column got near
the place they were apprised OF the pesence OF
the foe, who were very strongly entrenched.
and opened fire upon them with battery OF
rifed cannon. The Federal troops promtly
responded but volleys of infantry and a small
pack of howitzers was unavaiing against such
a formidable battery, and, in the course OF
half an hour, retreat was sounded, and exc
cuted in good order. When the Federal
troops were about to retreat, Lieut.. Greble
was struck on the head by ball from the rebel
battery and killed instantly having just spik-
port, IA of the Federal troops were killed, and
As wounded Some reflections are cast upon
Mai. Gen. Pierce, the commander of the expedi-
tion, as it is said that he could readily have
carried the batteries at the point of the bayon-
ct. The rebel force numbered some 6OO or
500, with two batteries, one of them masked.
The main body of Rebel troops had retired
from Great Bethel but the place was still held by
them, and could be occupied by large force
in short time. A party from our camp with
a flag of truce, visited Bethel and went to
within half mile of Yorkto They saw
formidable battery at the former place, but
could not examine it. At Yorktown there
was large encampment OF cavalry and the
place was being strongly fortified. Between
Bethel and York town there also batteries.
Definite information concerning the death of
Major Winthrop was obtained. He fell, NOR
tally wounded, while calamity leading a
charge up to the battery. He was buried by
the Rebels even from whom his bravery re-
ceived tribute of admiration. Two of the
Zouaves had died prisoners in the Rebel camp.
The enemy report one Killed and five wounded
in this engagement.
JUNE l2-The steamer City Of Alton, with
two companies OF Colonel Ogelsby' IS regiment,
and squad of artillery with two field pieces
from Cairo, made an excursion down the Mis-
sssippi, five miles below Columbus, KY.
Some of the machinery of the boat broke. and
the boat drifted ashore. While the machinery
was being repaired the captain of the boat
with three of the crew went ashore, and cut
down the Secession flag which was flying on
the shore, and brought it to Cairo. No at
tempt was made to prevent their taking it, but
it was reported by passengers who have arri-
we'd from Columbus, since the City Of .8it0n
lett, that great excitement prevailed among
the citizens.
About 200 State troops were sent from JEFF
ferson city, Missouri, down the Pacific rail
road last night. and portion of the bridge
over the Gasconade river was burned by order
of the State authorities. The telegraph wires
were cut short distance from Jefferson City,
and the operators forbidden to repair them for
the present.
The rebels at Huttonsville, Virginia, receiv-
ed a reinforcement Of 800 cavalry, the other
day, and more said to be coming also,
some large guns from Harper's Ferry. Our
troops are eager to attack them before they
complete their entertainments.
JUNE 13.-Under instructions from Maj Gen.
Patterson, Col. Lewis Wallace, with his regi-
ment of indiana volunteers, left Cumberlend
on the I1th inst, for Romney, Va, where he
surprised, and, after sharp fight, completely
routed five hundred Secession troops, captur-
ing some prisoners, killing two, wounding one,
and taking first-class camp equipage, pro-
visions, medical stores, arms, etc. On
side, one was slightly wounded. The regi-
Romney is the county seat of Hampshire coun-
ty, Virginia, about twenty miles due south of
Cumberland. 1t is stated, that after the Fed
eral troops had left the rebels returned, having
received renforcements short distance from
Romney.
At Spring Hill, eight miles from Alexandria.
locomotive and two cars were left on the
track, and could net be brought to Alexandria
because the rebels had destroyed the bridges
These having been rebuilt within the last two
days, detachment of the Sixty-ninth New
York regiment went down with the train to
Alexandria, where the greatest enthusiasm
was manifested on their arrival. The locomo
tive is to be placed on the Manassas Railroad,
for the use of the United States Government,
when the Orange and Alexandria road is
opened TO the Junction.
AT the Washington navy yard this afternoon
Commandant Dahlgren practised with new
rified cannon of inch bore, with half charge
of powder-viz a lbs. The gun threw solid
shot nearly two and a half miles, the ball s,ri-
king the Virginia shore. The last experiment
was with shell, which was thrown distance
of almost four miles. The cannon is an inven-
tion of Captain Dahlgreen, and had just been
finished, and the experiments were highly
satisfactory in all respects.
A scouting party to the village of Falls
Church, about nine miles from Washington, to
day, was received with many demonstrations
of joy by the residents, who expressed strong
desire TO have the place permanently occupied
by the United States troops. The Secession
lists have all fed.
A Union man, who had been detained at
Fairfax Court House, and yesterday escaped
from his captofs, reports what is confirmed by
other statements, that the rebel forces at that
place consist of less than 700 men, infantry
and cavalry, badly armed with fowling- pieces.
Scouting parties are constantly bringing in
prisoners, but Secessionists are becoming so