The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-06-21
The Battle or ersa, Bethel.
NORTHERN ACCOUNT.


z15msand New York Herald. the FIRST
received In Mobile for ten days
They are full Of war news. The ON.
gagements at Little Bethel and Great
Bethel fame extensively through their
columns, the dispatches in relation TO the
former being rather jubilant, but in re-
spect to the latter rather otherwise. Their
correspondents admit that thirty were
slain in that fight and a hundred wound
ed but they console themselves with the
statement that the rebels had rihed
cannon and similar other terrible weap-
ons, and we're more strongly posted than
was expected.
In short, they can hardly conceal the
fact that they were driven off-that the
fight was chosen by themselycs-and that
our boys rather astonished them. They
have another consolation, namely; after
being beaten, in believing that yastnum.
Der Of the "rebels" were killed and
wounded. How many they don't exactly
know but it is very large number.
They acknowledge too, that they retreat
ed as fast as they CONDITIONING the vic
tory with us.
In short, they make the best of it, and
may presently swear that they didn't run
at all, but took and still hold possession
of Great Bethel
What probably may be considered the
most impartial account of the enemy is
the following
BALTIMORE, Tuesday, Juno H. lS6l.-
The special correspondent Of the Amer
lean returned from Fortress Monroe
this morning with a full report of the
battle at Great Bethel. For several
days past Gen. Butler had been advised
of movements of = considerable body
of Confederate troops in the vicinity
of the village called Great Bethel, which
is about II miles from the fortress, and
near the road conducting to Yorktown.
Believing from reliable reports that they
had thrown up intrenchments and gener-
ally extending their outer line Of pickets,
he determined, after consultation with
other officers, to whip them away, and ac-
cordingly gave orders to several regiments
to hold themselves in readiness to march
at a moments warning. At the same
time the chief of the Ordinance Depart
ment received orders to send battery OF
howtzers, which was soon under line OF
march, comprising four l2-pounders and
q detachment of United States artillery,
with Lieut. Credible and other officers
A party of the Naval Brigade was also
quickly mustered for the purpose of con
yeying troops across Hampton Creek,
which was done by means OF fshing.boats
sent down on Saturday from the SusQue-
hanna River.
The detailed force Of the volunteers
consisted Of three regiments-the Albany
regiment, Col. Townsend the New York
Louayes, Col. Dugyee; and the 7th Regi-
ment, Col. Bendix with companies. from
other regiments, comprising force OF
nearly 1000 men.
The command moved at III clock on
Sunday night, with the Zouayes nearly
one hour ahead, and, owing to most un-
] iOiAunANb AlloNdhb III INlulIOii 10 biRndlB,
two Of theregiments got into a collision,
when the regiment of Col Bendix, mista-
king that of Col. Townsend for that Of
the enemy fired into them, and did not
discover their mistake until the dawn of
day, when their supposed enemy left
them masters of the field It's not known
exactly how many were killed or wound
cd, but the numbers will not be consider
able.
After an explanation and mutual un-
derstanding between the two regiments it
was then agreed to move on to Great
Bethel, and the entire force took up the
line of march, which is three miles from
the place where the error was committed
As soOn as the right of the column got
near the place, they were apprised of the
presence of the foe, who were strongly
intrenched, and who opened fire upon
them with battery of rihed cannon.
The Federal troops promptly responded
but the volleys Of the infantry and a
small park of howitzers were unayailing
against such a formidable battery, and.
in the course of half an hour, a retreat
was sounded and executed in good order.
The regiment moved well, and the men,
it is acknowledged on all sides, acted with
spirit of determination. The most mel
ancholy feature OF the battle was the Kill
r ling Of Lieutenant CREDIBLE.
It was almost impossible to tell the
number Of killed and wounded on the
side of the Federal troops, but was told
by Gen. Butler that his estimate was
about 80 killed and l00wounded.
1t was feared that Major Winthrop, Aid
TO Gen. Butler, had been killed. as he
could not be found.
When the news of the action reached
the Fortress, the utmost sadness prevail
! ed, and there was a mourntul aspect yisi-
bic throughout
The first wounded pan that reached
the Fortress, was private James Garbett.
e He came in an ambulance, which was
very carefully driven.
As soon as Gen. Butler heard of the af-
fair, which was about seven o'clock, he
D mounted his horse and rode at the top OF
l. its speed to Newport News Point, for the
1 purpose of ascertaining all the facts in
the case.
COL Dimmick also rode around the
J ramparts, and inspecting the SIDE near the
J. land approach ordered the howitzers and
ii mortars to be got ready.
,. About nine o'clock p. m. the steamer
Cataline reached the wharf with some Of
. the dead and wounded. In the mean.
'f time nearly all the armed fleet proceeded
e up the James River to Newport New.
n Point.
: The hospital for the regular force and
l. the regiments Of volunteers who are sta
st toned in the fortress, is in first rate
er order, and under the dictatorship Of DR.
Cuyler will continue SO.
r It is officially announced that the
u health of the garrison Is excellent, anc