White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1861-06-20
Di,a,,rou. AFFAIR Near Fortress Monroe.
Unsueeesyal Atemps to Capture Bat
terry at Great Bethsl-1soo Reg'ms"ts
ofGoyernnaens Troops Fire Upon Each
Other in the Nighs-l -lneapaeity of Gen.
Pierce.
BALTIMORE, June IL.

BALTIMORE, June IL.
Gen. Butler having learned that the
rebels were fortifying camp with strong
batteries at Great Bethel. nine miles from
Hampton, ON the Yorktown road, deemed
it necessary to dislodge them. i
Accordingly, movements were made
last night from Fortress Monroe and
Newport News. About midnight Col.
Durvea's Zouaves and Col. Townsend's
Albany Regiment crossed the river at
Hampton, by means of six large batteaux
manned by the Naval Brigsde, and took
up the line of march.
The former were some two miles IL ad-
vance of the latter. At the same time Col.
Bendix's regiment and detachments OF the
Vermont and Massachusetts, regiments
end regulars at Newport moved forward
to form junction with the regulars from
Fortress Monroe at Little Bethel, about
half way between Hampton and Great
Bethel. The Zousves passed Little Bethel
about 4 A. M.
Col. Bendix's regiment arrived and
took up position at the intersection OF
the roads. Not understanding the signal,
the German regiment, in the darkness OF
the night, fred upon Col. Townsend's
column, marching in close order, led oy
Lieut.. Buffers son and aid-de-camp OF
Gen. Butler. with two pieces of artillery.
Other accounts say that Col. Town
sends regiment fired first. AT all events,
the fire Of the Albany regiment was harm
less, while that of the Germans was fatal,
killing one man and wounding severely
two others, with several other slight cas-
ualties. The Albany regiment being
back of the Germans, discovered from
the accouterments left on the field, that
the supposed enemy was friend.
They had in the meantime nine ronnds
with small arms and small field piece.
The Zouaves hearing the firing turned
and fred upon the Albany boys.
At daybreak Col. Allen and Col.
Carey's right moved from the rear of the
fortress to support the main body.
The mistake at Little Bethel having
been ascertained, the buildings were burn
ed and Major with two prominent Sc
cessionists taken prisoners.
The troops then advanced upon Great
Bethel, but our three small pieces of ar
artillery were unable to cope with the
heavy rifled cannon of the enemy.
The rebel battery was completely mask
ed. No men could be seen, only the
flashes of the guns. There were probab-
| " less than 1000 men behind the bat
teries Of the rebels.
A we'll concerted movement might
have secured the position. but Brigadier-
General Pierce. who commanded the ex-
pedition, appears to have lost his presence
Of mind, and the Troy regiment stood for
an hour exposed to CALLING fire, when
an order to retreat was at last given.
Lieut.. CREDIBLE of the U. S. Army, and
in command of the artillery, was struck
by a cannon ball and instantly killed.
He had spiked his gun, and was gallantly
endeavoring to withdraw his command.
| Capt. Geo. w. Wilson of the Troy
regiment, after the order to retreat was
given, took possession OF the gun and
brought it off the field with the corpse Of
tu6 Li6uteudut. DOtu WcIc uiOuSut "
Fortress Monroe this evening.
There were probably about 25 killed
and 100 of the Federal troops wounded.
Gen. Butler deserves the greatest credit
for bringing off the killed and wounded.
Several Of the latter are now in the
hospital here. Great Indignation is man.
ifested against Brigadier- General Pierce.
1t is not known how many were killed
or wounded in the unfortunate collision Of
Federal troops, previous to marching on
Great Bethel. The loss was, however,
inconsiderable. The fire of our troops on
the masked battery did apparently little
execution, being composed of small field
pieces and howitzers, against the riaed
cannon OF the rebels. The attack lasted
but nalf an hour, when the retreat was
sounded and executed in good order. The
troops. throughout this trying affair, be-
haved well.
The estimated number killed was about
80, and 100 wounded. Major Winthrop.
aid of Gen. Butler, and Lieut.. Col. Grin
nell of the New York First Regiment, are
missing. Amongst the killed are Lieut.
CREDIBLE, of the U. s. Artillery. He was
struck on the right side of the forehead
by rifle cannon ball which tore away the
| r Al