The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-18

Charlotte on Thursday, and at the request of our
citizens immediately proceeded to Treloars Hall
where he related many incidents of the battle. A
very large audience of ladies and gentlemen had
assembled to hear him, who greeted him with
cheer after cheer. The following is the substance
Of Mr Tiddy's remarks:
Col Hills Regiment (about 900 men) and
some three or four hundred Virginians, left York
town for Bethel on Thursday the 9th instant,
taking along battery of four howitzer guns,
manned by the Richmond Artillery. On Satur-
day the Edgecombe Guards, Capt Bridges were
out souting and killed some seven or eight of the
enemy.
The time between the arrival at Bethel Church
and the engagement was devoted to entrenching
the position taken by Col Hill-and our inform
ant says the ground admirably we'll chosen.
BY Sunday night everything was in readiness
breastworks complete and the place made impreg-
nable.
On Monday morning the troops were beat to
arms before day, and advanced from their position
some two or three miles, when they we're met by
an old lady from whom they learned that the
Yankees in force in that neighborhood This
being confirmed by the scouting parties, the COM
mand of Col Hill was ordered back to their en-
trcnchnents The enemys advance reported
az they progressed by our scouts. An attack was
now inevitable Col Hill delivered his final in
etruetons to his troops, having seen every man at
his post aud ordered that strict silence should be
observed and that no man should fire before the
word was given. The Lincolnites were now in
sight. The artillery, under order Of Col Iiil
waited till the enemy in full range and then
opened upon them. The first shot, as Was learn
ed form one of the wounded, killed four or FIVE
aud wounded several This fire was opened at
so yards range.
The action commenced about o'clock a. m
The enemy promptly returned the fire from their
artillery, but did not fight with spirit Shot and
shell we're showered at our troops, but nearly all
passed over the entertainments and did no harra.
A flank movement was now attempted on the left
of our line, but that CALAMITY repulsed by the
Charlotte Greys In this attack Col. d. W. Ward
rope, of the N. Y. 7th Regiment, fell MORALLY
wounded. (Col. Duryea was not present, and
hence the statement of his death is incorrect)
On the right of our lines, a swamp intervening,
posted number of Virginia troops, with one
howitzer gun. By some means this gun became
spiked, owing, it is said, to the needle used at the
touch-hole breaking in the vent The enemy,
seeing this gun silenced, charged upon it and took
possession of that point threatening right.
Capt. Brdgers was ordered to retake that position,
which he most calamity did, sustained by the fire
from the battery, and drove some 1000 men be-
fore him with about IS. They fell back under
cover Of house some thirty to forty pace, in
front Capt. b. called for volunteers from his
company TO fire the building. Some five stepped
forward to the hazardous task amongst them the
brave Henry l.. Wyatt, who Immediately fell,
pierced with rife ball He died that evening.
A companion of WAITS shot the Yankee who
bad killed his comrade, and the house now being
on fire by shell, the four comrades returned to
their ranks.
The Lincolnites mado another attempt to dis
lodge our troops, and failing, rereated, followed
shortly after by our Cavalry who were out on
scouting duty. The Licolnites had quite start of
the Cavalry, but were holly pursued that they
abandoned their accoutrements on the road, and
left everything behind except their arms.
The forces set down by our informant at
$500 Lincolnites. Con the authority of one of
their wounded) and 1900 Confederate troops.
including the First Regiment of North Carolina
Volunteers The Infantry did not pursue, and
left for Yorktown soon after the fight, where they
arrived about midnight
The attack of the Edgecombe Rifles on the
1000 Lincolnies is said to have beeu gallant
affair. And the manner in which the Richmond
Artillery manned their guns for them we'll
merited praise Indeed. the GOODNESS and courage
of all the troops, under Col. Hil is said to have
been admirable. The losses are believed to be
accurately reported the dispatches above pub,
lshed