Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-19
The Battle at Bethel Church.

This victory obtained by the North-C Carolina and
Virginia troops SO large Federal force on the
18th inst, at Bethel Church Va, has been pronoun-
ced by many as the greatest on record 1t was GER
tainya great battle and glorious victory. No one
can doubt this, and yet some of our Virginia CO.
temporaries seem to have been hard to convince
that it was any victory at all. The Richmond En-
amnsr of the 1Sth was not even then assured of it.
And there does seem to have been reluctance on
the part of some to give the North Carolina troops
due credit The Richmond Wing of the same date
however, in the following paragraph does our troops
justice:
1.-THE OLD North SrATE.--The North Carolina
Regiment covered itself with glory at the battle of
Bethel. After the enemy had got possession of
disabled Howitzer gun, it was necessary to dslodge
them. The h-Carolina boys undertook the task.
With bayonets fixed they advanced upon the foe.-
The charge only wanted one accessory to make it
as grand as any charge in history. The Yankees
fled like shot wild ducks amid the dersive shouts of
the advancing heroes. They had no idea of coming
in contact with cold steel"
There can he no doubt that all did WE'LL both Vir-
glnians and North Carolinians officers and men,
Gen Magruder was in command, and displayed
great ability Col. Hill exhibited the utmost cool
ness, bravery and skill. Gov Ellis proposes that
he be made a Brigader General. He has won it,
and no doubt merits it. Indeed, all the officers and
the men won promotion.
Several incidents are said to have occLrr"d which
showed that every man in the affray on our side was
soldier. None tnched quailed. 1t is said, that
| COL Hill on the advance of the enemy, sailed out
beyond his entertainments alone, and succeeded in
drawing the enemy's first fire, before he gave the
order to fire. Several companies were held in re-
serve, who witnessed the fight without being allow
ed to participate. To have obeyed orders under
such circumstances, required more cool courage
than to have rushed into the fight How they must
have painted to let slip the death-dealing ball.
In the attack in which Col. Wardrop was killed,
flank movement was attempted by the enemy,
which was CALAMITY repealed by the Charlotte Greys.
Wardrop seeing his men driven back IN confusion
attempted to rally them when he was shot. There
are different statements about this affair; &C
count stating that he shot by Fayetteville SOL
dier, and another, by private Geo. Williams of the
Edgecombc Guards The sword of Wardrop was
awarded to Williams.
| We incorrectly stated IN our last that CnarieS
Williams and Council Rodgers who were wounded,
belonged to one of the Fayetteville companies
They belonged to the Edgecombe Guards. Not a
man of the Fayetteville companies was wounded.
Young Wyatt, the only man killed was one of five
of the Edgecombe Guards who were called upon by
Capt. Bridgers to fire house in and around which
the enemy had sought shelter. On attempting this
daring feat Wyatt was killed, shot entering his
forehead, when one of his comrades it is said imme
dately shot the Hessian who killed Wyatt
Perhaps the most gallant feat of the battle was
performed by the Edgecombe Guards. One of the
Richmond howitzers having been spiked by the
breaking of the wire in the touch-hole, it was aban
doned and the enemy took possession of it. Capt
Brdgers was ordered to retake it in the face Of it is
said, 1000 of the enemy. The Edgecombe Guards mum
boring only So, intrcpidy marched up to the charge
driving the enemy before them and recovered the
howitzer The latest accounts speak confidently o.
800 of the enemy having been killed 1t is also
said that the negroes in the neghborhood rushed te
the battle having procured shot guns, to fight thu
enemy