Nebraska advertiser., 1861-06-20
wAR NBwS'
TELEGRAPHIC.
s.. LouIs. June -. A. NJ


Forress Monroe. June 9Th. ia Balti-
more. 1l.--Gen Butler having earned
that the rebels were fortifying camp
with strong batteries at Great Bethel y
miles from Hampton on the Yorktown
road. He determined 1t necessary TO DIS
lodge them. Accordingly movements
we're made last night from Fortress Mon
roe anl Newport news. About midnight
Col DURYEA'S ZouaveS, and Col TOmpsOnS
Albany regiment crossed the river at
Hampton by means of six large Bd'trux
manned by the naval brigade and took up
the line of Elarch, the former some two
miles in advance of the latter. AT the
same time Col Bendix's regiment and a
detachment from the Vermont and Mass
regiment at Newport moved forward to
form junction with the regiment from
Fortress Monroe at Little Bethel about
hall way between Hampton and Great
Bethel. The Zouaves passed Little
Bethel about four 4 o'clock IN the morn
ing. Col Bendix's arrived and took up
a position at the intersection Of the roads.
Not understanding the singal the German
regiment in the darkness of the night
fired upon Col ThompsOn's column
Marching in close order and led by Lieut.
Butler, son and aid-de-caup Of Gen But
Ter, with two pieces of artillery. Other
accounts say Col Thompson's regiment
fred first. AT all events the fire of the
Albany regiment was harmless, while that
of the German was fatal, killing one man
and wounding seriously two or three
others. with several other slight casualties.
The Albany regiment being back OF the
/ Germans, discovered from the accOutre-
ments left ON the field that the supposed
enemy were their friends. They had IN
the meantime fired nine rounds with small
arms and a field piece. The Zouaves
hearing the firing turned and also fired
upon The Albany regiment. Al daybreak
/ Col Aliens and Col Carr's regiment
moved from the rear Of the Fortress to
support the main body. The mistake at
Little Bethel haring been ascertained. the
buildings were burned and a major with
two prominent secessIOniSis taken PRISON
ers. The troops then advanced upon
Great Bethel, but ours three small pieces
Of artillery were unable TO cope with the
heavey rifed cannon of the enemy. The
rebel battery was completely masked
| No men could be en'only the flashes OF
the guns. There were probably 10 less
than a thousand men behind the batteries
Of the rebels. A well concerted move
n,ent might have secured the position, bUl
Brig Gen PeirCe who commended the ex-
peditiun appears TO have lost his presence
of mind and the Troy regiment stood for
an hour exposed TO 4 CALLING fire, when
an order to retreat was at last given
Lieut. CREDIBLE of the U S A 10 command
Of the artillery was struck by a cannon
ball and Instantly killed. He had spiked
his gun and was endeavouring TO with.
draw his command. Capt w R Wilson
after the order TO retreat was given took
possession Of the gun and brought 1t of
the field with the corps of the Lieut.
Both were brought to Fortress Monroe
this evening. There are probably q
killed and 100 Of the federal troops
wounded. Lieut. Butler deserves the
II greatest credit for bringing off the killed
and wounded. Several of the latter arr
now in the Hospital here. Great indlg
. nation is manifested against Brig Ger
Pierce.