Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-06-20
GEN. BUTLBR's OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF
THE BETHEL FIGHT.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA. }
FORTRESS MONROE, June 10, 1861.
I .,...o,
To LIEUT. GENERAL Scorr:-

TO LIEUT.. GENERAL SCOTT =
GENERAL-IIavng learned that the enemy
had established an outpost of some strength at
a place called Little Bethel, small church.
about eight miles from Newport News and the
same distance from Hampton. from whence
they were accustomed nightly to advance both
on Newport News and the picket guards of
Hampton, to annoy them, and also from whence
they had come down in small squads of cavalry
and taken number of Union men, some OF
whom had the safeguard and protection of the
troops Of the United States, and forced them
into the rebel ranks, and that thcv we're also
gathering up the slaves of citizens who had
moved away and left their farms in charge of
their negroes, carrying them to work in en-
trenchments at Williamsburg and Yorktown. |
had determined to send up force to drive
them back and destroy their camp, the head
quarters OF which was this small church. had
also learned that at place a short distance fur
ther on, on the road to York klown, was an out
work of the rebels, on the Hampton side of
place called Big Bethel, large church, near the
head of the north branch Of Back river, and
that here was a very considerable rendezvous,
with works of more or less strength in process
Of erection, and from this point the whole coun-
try was laid under contribution.
Accordingly | ordered General Pierce. who
is in command of Camp Hamilton, at Hampton,
to send Duryea's regiment of Zouaves 20 be fer
ried over Hampton creek at one O'Clock this
morning, and to march by the road up to New
market bridge, then crossing the bridge to go
by by-road and thus put the regiment in the
rear of the enemy, and between Big Bethel and
Little Bethel, in part for the purpose Of cutting
him oil, and then to make an attack upon Little
Bethel. directed Gen. Pierce to support him
lr,,,, al :
with two mounted howitzers, and to march
about an hour later. At the same time | di-
rected Col. Phelps, commanding at Newport
News, to send out a battalion, composed of such
companies of the regiments under his command
as he thought best, under command of Lieut..
Col Washburn, III time to make a demonstra-
ton upon Little Bethel in front, and to have
i'm supported by Col. BendiX's regiment, with
two field pieces. Bendxs and Townsend's reg
iments should effect a junction at a fork of the
road leading from Hampton to Newport News
something like a mile and half from Little
| Bethel. directed the march to be so timed
that the attack should be made Just at daybreak
and that after the attack was made upon IittlC
Bethel, Duryea's regiment and a regiment from
Newport News should follow Immediately upor
| the heels of the fugitiycs, if they were enabled
to cut them off, and attack the battery on thu
road to Big Bethel, while covered by the fugi
tives; or, if it was thought expedient by Gen
! Pierce, failing to surprise the camp at Little
Bethel, they should attempt to take the work
near Big Bethel. To prevent the possibility o
mistake in the darkness, directed that no at
tack should be made until the watclword SHOULD
be shouted by the attacking regiment, and il
case that hy any mistake in the march the regi
ments that were to make the junction shoulC
Unexpectedly meet and be unknown to each 9th
cr, also directed that the members of Col. Town
sends regiment should he known, if in the day
light, by something white worn on the ARM
The troops were accordingly put in motion n
ordered, and the march was so timed that Col
Duryea had got in the position noted upon tn
accompanying sketch, and Lieut.. Col. Wash
burn, in command of the regiment from New
port News had got into the position indicated
upon the sketch, and Col. Bcndixs regimen
had been posted and ordered to hold the torl
of the road, with two pieces of artillery, an,
Col. Townsend's regiment had got to the plac
indicated just behind, and were about to form
junction as the day dawned.
Up to this point the plan had been vgorousl,
accurately and successfully carried out; bu
here by some strange fatality, and as yet uneX
plainel b,under; without any word of motto,
while Col. Townshend was in column en- rout,
dld Nltn lIlC icdAl Vi lllt COlulHll was Will
one hundred yards, Col. Bendix's regimen
opened fire with both artillery and musketr
upon Col. Townsend's column, which, in tn
hurry and confusion, was irregularly rcturne
by some of Col. Townsends men, who feare
that they had fallen into an ambuscade Co
Townsend's column Immediately retreated to a
emnence near by, and were not pursued b
Col. BendiX's men. By this almost crimini
blunder two men of Col. Townsend's regimen
were killed, and eight more or less wounded
Hearing the cannonading and firing in his rea
, Lieut.. Col. Washburn, not knowing but thC
! his communication might be cut off, immediate
ly reversed his march, as did Col. Duryea, an
: nffrched back to form junction with his n
serves.
Gen. Pierce who was with Col. Townsend
regiment, fearing that the enemy had got motto
of our approach, and had posted himself
, force on the line of march, and not getting an
e communication from Col Duryea sent back
t me for reinlorcements, and | Immediately o
dered Col. Aliens regiment to be put in motio
4 and they reached Hampton about seven o'clocI
In the meantime the true state of facts hayir
:, been ascertained by Gen. Pierce, the regimen
! effected a junction, and resumed the line
e march At the moment of the firing of Go
0 Bendix, Col. Duryea had surprised part of a
! outlnying guard Of the enemy, consisting OF )
. persons, who have been brought in to me-
$ Of course by this firing all hope ot surprl'
e above the camp at Little Bethel was lost, AM
l. upon marching upon it, it was found to haN
- been vacated, and the cavalry had pressed q
d toward Big Bethel. Col Duryea, however, d
, stroyed the camp at Little Bethel and advance
! Gen. Pierce then, as he informs me, with Il
/, advice of his Colonies, thought best to attem
n to carry the works of the enemy at Big Beth,
= and made dispositions to that effect. The attat
o commenced, as l am informed-lor have II
d yet received any official reports-about half pa
nine O'Clock.
n At about ten o'clock Gen. Pierce sent no
1t to me saying that there was a sharp ensageme
d with the enemy, and that he thought he shou
1t be able to maintain his position until reintorc
is ments aould come up. Acting upon this INTO
sc nation, Col. Carr's regiment, which had bee
h ordered in the morning to proceed as lar
Is Newmarket bridge was allowed to go iorwar
/; received this information, for which had Sc
ii n special messenger about twelve o'clock.
" Immediately made disposition from Newpc
=, News to have Col. Phelps, from the four reg
d ments there, forward aid if necessary. AS so
.e as these orders could be sent forward ! repair
at to Hampton, for the purpose of having prop
ambuances and wagons for the sick and woun
e, ed, intending to 80 forward and join the col
rs mand. While the wagons were going forwa
pc a messenger came, announcing that the engag
v ment had terminated, and that the troops We
Di retiring in good order to camp, ] remain
lo upon the ground at Hampton, personally seei
Il