Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-15
OLD BUNCOMBE IN THE FIRST SKIRMISH.
GREAT BATTLE NEAR NEWPORT NEWS.
NORTH-CAROLINA CONSPICUOUS IN THE
FIRST BATTLE OF THE SECOND
REVOLUTION.
Col. Hills Official Dispatch!
I160 Southern Troops Vanquish 1850 North
ern Hessians!!
GOD BE PRAISED!

Virginia. For once in the last three months,
the telegraphic wires report the news about as the
official account does.
Virginia and n. Carolina in all this contest have
stood shoulder to shoulder. We rejoice greatly that
battle of the campaign.
We must be brief, but little particular, to give
our readers Just view of the matter.
Our readers are aware that Gen. Magruder was
in command of the Southern troops on the Peninsu-
la, between York and James River. Hshead-q quar-
tiers was at Yorktown. The first n. G. Regiment
was stationed there. They have also been made
acquainted with the infamous conduct of the enemy
at Hampton, Newport News, and vicnIties. Gen.
Magruder determined to check the scoundreh, and
accordingly on Friday the 7th for this mission, de-
tailed Col Hills n. c. Regiment consisting of 500
men, portion Of the Richmond Howitzers, and
two companies of cavalry from Nottoway and
Charles City counties, in all $50 Virginians. The
column moved down the peninsula to within miles
of Hampton, and commenced an entertainment at
Bethel Church, near the dividing lin. between Ez-
abeth City and York counties, and only about six
miles from Newport News. Col Hills regiment
consists of the following companies: Edgecombe
Guards, Capt. j. L. Brdgers; Enfield Blues, Capt
D. B. Bell; Hornets Nest Rifles, Capt L. S. Will
liams; Burke Rifles, Capt C. NJ. Avery; Bun
combe Rifles Capt. W. W. Mcdowell; Southern
Stars. Capt W. j. Hoke; Fayetteville Independent
Light Infantry Maj. Wright Huske; do Lafayette
Light Infantry, Capt j. B. Starr; Orange Light In
fantry, Capt. r. j. Ashe; Charlotte Grays, Capt
E. A. Ross.
On Saturday afternoon, Capt. McDowelrs COM
pany from Asheville, \. c., one hundred strong
were out on accommodating expedition, with Lieut.
Gregory aid ten men, some distance in advance
Coming within mile and three quarters of Hamp-
tou they encountered 200 of the enemy on a similar
excursion, who also had an advance guard in front
Lieut.. G. and his guard of ten approached with
in thirty-fve steps Of the enemy, when parley
took place between Them each party endeavoring to
quiz the other. Finally, large man of the enemy
who stood near Lieut. Gregory, cried out, 81 know
you are friends! belong to the Second New York
Regiment" whereupon Lieut. G. placed his pistol
near the New Workers. head, and exclaimed, "Drop
your musket, or I'll blow your brains out! You
are my prisoner" at the same time calling upon
his men to fire.
The order was obeyed by Lieut. Gregory's Guard,
and twenty-five of Capt. McDowelTs command some
eighty steps in the rear, also fired. The Yankees
returned the fire, but none of our men were in
lurcQ. FROM Twelve 10 HIleen OF Ine 1ankeeS were
killed and wounded by this discharge, and Lieut..
Gregory secured the prisoner. Capt. Mcdowell
observing the retreat of the Northern party thought
it prudent to Withdraw his command, as a large
body of Federal troops were within half mile and
our little handful would have fallen an easy prey.
The Northern soldiers fired very badly. Lieut.
Gregory was on horseback and the balls whizzed
far above his head
In their retreat the Yankees carried their dead
and wounded in two carts and buggy to Hampton.
The prisoner was sent to Yorktown in charge of
galrnt youth named William Torrance and anoth-
er private, whose name we have not heard.
Monday morning about seven o'clock, as was
stated to our informant man who it is said had
deserted from our army and had concealed himself
somewhere in the forest between Bethel Church and
Newport News, came into camp, regretting his re-
creancy and informing our officers that the Yankee
forces had struck their tents at Newport News and
were advancing in a column of four or five thou
sand strong.
This intelligence was received by our officers
with some doubt, but they resolved to be on the
alert and give the infamous despolers of our prop
erty and invaders of our soil, as hot reception
rife musket and grape shot could extend.
The deserter's information proved to be correct,
for few minutes before o'clock our scouts were
driven in and shortly after our pickets were fired
upon Presently the invading hirelings made their
appearance and it was plainly to be seen that they
visible. As soon as they approached within range
of our guns, the gallant Caronians and Virgnians
opened upon Them and poured into their ranks
CALLING fire. They stood their ground for few
minutes doing the best they could, but their guns
all went wide of their aim, scarcely shot touching
our troops.
1t may be proper here to remark that our troops
had the decided advantage of position, being in
thin skirt of forest bordering the edge Of mill
pond The Yankees were also surrounded by trees,
but more widely scattered than ours and not afford
ing half the protection.
The firing was continued on both sides until
O'clock our troops maintaining deadly fire on the
Yankees from behind the trees and in the thick
| dergrowth around, while the enemy could neither
dodge our balls their shot to reach with
effect. The work finally became too hot for the
Yankee scoundrels, and they fell back, in consider
able disorder and Commissions.
The enemy next made an effort to flank our men
by circutous route, which occupied some thirty
minutes. In the meantime, the Confederate troops
betook themselves to their temporary entrench-
ments and coolly awaited the approach of the hire
lngs At halfpast nine they again appeared in
view, but in their march had become involved in a
thick morass, from which they found it impossible
to advance or retreat.
The Confederate forces now had the scoundrels
just where they desired, and from behind their
temporary entertainments about the Bethel Church,
poured most deadly fire into their ranks. They
caught it right, left and in 'front.' and finally scram
bling out of the morass fled in the utmost disorder
and confusion all attempts to rally them by one or
two officers, being utterly in vain. Our informant
states, that the flight was perfectly wild, and be-
trayed CONSERVATION and dismay, more character
stic of herd of buffaoes when suddenly surprised
by band of Indian hunters, than brGce and chic
aLrOus Yankee, led on by the bold and redoubtabe
Gen. Picayune alias B. F. Butler.
They were holly pursued by the gallant First
Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers, while the
Richmond Howitzers, poured grape and canister in
to the rear of the fleeing New York rowdies. Our
cavalry continued the chase, and pursued the mis-
erably frightened demons on the Sawyer Swamp
road and through the woods, to New Market Bridge,
(which is within two and half miles of Hampton.
Not knowing the strength of their forces at Hamp-
ton the chase was here abandoned and the pursuers