Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-26


GENTLEMEN:-Herewith | transmit dispatch
from Gen. D. H. Hill, giving further interesting de-
tails of the battle at Bethel Church.
Too much praise cannot he accorded to our brave
soldiers who were engaged in that action. will, at
an early day, as far as my power extends manifest
the public approval of their galantry and good con-
duct upon the occasion referred to- by suitable pro-
motions.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN w. ELLIS.
Hon. j. W. ELLIS GoUernor Of North Carolina:
Sm:-I have the honor to report that in obedience
to the orders fro::: the Colonel commanding, |
marched on the 9Th instant, with my regiment and
four pieces of Maj. Randoph's Battery, from York
town, on the Hampton Road to Bethel Church,
nine miles from Hampton. We reached there after
dark a wet nj ht, and slept without tents. EARLY
the morning Of the 18th, made reconnaissance
of the ground preparatory to fighting / found
branch of Back River in our front, and encircling
our right flank. On our left was dense and almost
impossible wood, except about $50 yards of old
field The breadth of the road, a thick wood and
a narrow cultivated field, covered our rear The
nature of the ground determined me to make an
enclosed work, and had the invaluable aid of Lieut.
Col Lee, of my Regiment in its plan and construc-
ton Our position had the inherent defect of being
commanded by an immense field Immediately in
front of it, upon which the masses of the enemy
might be readily deployed. Presenting that an at
tempt would be made to carry the bridge, across
the stream battery was made for its especial pro-
lection and MAJ. Randolph placed his guns so as to
sweep all the approaches to it The occupation of
two commanding eminenceS beyond the creek and
or our right would have greatly strengthened our
position, but force too weak to admit of the
occupation Of more than one of them. A battery
was laid out on it for one Of Randolphs howizers.
We had only % spades, axes and picks, but
these busy piled all day and night of the 7th
Ill H. kba IN tho &c 81
Sth learned tina: marauding party of the enemy
in few miles of us. | called for party of 81
men to drive them back. Lieut. Roberts, of Com
pany, of my Regiment, promptly responded, and in
five minutes his command was route | detached
Maj. Randolph with one howitzer, to join him, and
Lieut. Col Lee, first regiment North Carolina Vol
unteers requested and was granted permission to
take command of the whole. After march of five
miles they came across the marauders, busy
the spoils of pundered house. A shell soon put
the plunderers to flight and they chased over
New Market Bridge, where our little force was
halted in consequence Of the presence of consd-
cradle body stationed on the other side. Lieut. Col.
Lee brought in one prisoner. How many of the
enemy were killed and wounded is not known.
None of our command was hurt Soon after Lieut..
COL Lee left citizen came dashing in with the in
formation that Is marauderS were the Back River
Road. called for Capt. McDowel's Company E,
Of the first Regiment North-Carolna Volunteers,
and in three minutes it in hot pursuit. Lieut..
West of the Howitzer Battalion with piece,
was detached to join them, and Maj. Lane, of my
regiment volunteered to assume command of the
whole. After u weary march they encountered, dis
persed and chased the wretches New Market
Bridge This being the second race on the same
day over the New Market Course" in both of
which the Yankees reached the goal first Maj.
Lane brought in prisoner Reliable citizens
reported that two cart loads and one buggy load of
wounded were brought into Hampton. We had not
a single man killed wounded. Col. Magruder
came up that evening and assumed command
On Sunday, the 9th, fresh supply of tools ena-
bled us to put more men to work, and when not
gagged in religious duties, the men worked vgor-
ouSly in the entertainments. We were aroused at
o'clock, on Monday morning, for a general ad
vance upon the enemy, and marched 81 miles, when
we learned that the foe in large force was within
few hundred yards of u.s. We fell back hastily up
on entertainments, and awaited the arrival of
our invaders. 1t Col Stewart, of the Sd Va. Reg
iment having joined US with some $50 men, was
stationed on the hill on the extreme right beyond
the creek; and company G. of my regiment, was
also thrown the stream to protect the howitZer
under Capt. Brown. Capt. Bridgers of Co. A., 1st
n. c. Regiment, took post in the dense wood be-
yond and to the left of the bridge. Maj Montague,
with three companies of his battalion, was ordered
up from the rear, and took post our right, be-
ginning at the Church, and extending along the
tire front on that side. This fine body of men, and
with great rapdity and in an hour had constructed
temporary shelters against the enemy's fire. Just
at o'clock, A. NJ, the heavy columns of the enemy
were seen approaching rapidly and in good order,
out when Randolph opened upon them at 81, their
organization was completely broken up The enc
my promptly replied with his Artillery, firing
brskly and wildly. He made an attempt at de-
ployment on our right of the road, under cover Of
some houses and paling They were, however
promptly driven back by our Artillery, q Virginia
Company, Crhe Life Guards,) and companies B. c.
and &. of my regiment The enemy made no de-
| plOyment Within n1usketry range during the day.
except under cOUer Of goods, fences pdlings Un-
der cover of the trees, he moved strong column to
an old ford some three-quarters of a mile below
where had placed picket Of some 40 men. COL
Magruder sent Capt. Worth's company of Monta-
CUES command with one howitzer under Sergeant
Crane, to drive back this column, which was done
by single shot from the howitzer. Before this,
| printing wire had been broken in the vent of the
howtzer commanded by Capt Brown and rendered
it useless. A force estimated at 1900 was now at
tempting to out flank us and get in the rear of 1t
| Col. Stewards small command; he was accordingly
directed to fall back, and the whole of our advanced
troops were Withdrawn. At this critical moment
directed Ii. Col. Lee to call Capt Bridsers out of
the swamp, and order him to reoccupy the nearest
advanced work, and ordered Capt. Rosss company
1St Regiment of n c. Volunteers TO the sunnort of