Newbern weekly progress., 1861-06-18
FROM YORKTOWN.
YoRKTowN, June II, ]

YORKTOWN, June Il, 1851.
An engagement, lasting four hours, took
T2ave yesterday NIonday)- between five regi-
-oents of the troops from Old Point and l ] 90
Confederate troops, consisting of Yirginans
aTi North CaT0iinians, under General Magrud-
- at Bethel Church, York county. Before
ling you Of the battle, will give you some
circumstances proceeding it. About two
'~crhs ago, party Of 800 Yankees came up
iGou Han. 1ton and occupied Bethel Church,
rl,jch position they held day or tvo and
lien retired leaving written on the walls the
Eurch several inscrip iptions, such as - Death
- The Traitors !" "Down with the Rebels!"
&c To near! y all of these the names Of the
writer's were defantly signed, and all of the
,ensmen signed them elves as from New York,
.xcept one, who was from 'Boston Mass, L.
81 TO these excursions INTO the interior, Of
which this was the bodest, General Magruder
determined to put stop, and accordingly
flied the place after the Yankees left with
few companies Of his own troops. In addition
10 this, he determined to carry the war into
the cnemy's country, and on Wednesday last
Stanard's battery Of the Howitzcr Battalion
VAS ordered down to the Church. where it was
soon joined by portion of Browns battery, Of
the same corps. The North Carolina Regi-
3nent, under Colonel Hill, was also there, ma
king in all about 100 men, and seven hoWit-
gulrS
VII Ci'uiudy laSI lne HESL excursion OF con-
siderable Importance was made. A 3etach-
Inent Of goo infantry and howitzer gun under
Major Randolph, and one Of 70 infantry, and
another howitZcr under Mai. Lane of the North
taroina regiment started different routes to
cat off a party which had left Hampton The
party Was seen and fired at by Mai. Randolph's
detachment but made such fast time that they
escaped The troops under Maj. Lane passed
within sight of Hampton and as they turned
q tO Bethel raH
the Yankees, numbering about 80, who were
entrenChed behind fence IN the field, protec-
ted by high bank. Our advance guard fired
on them and in another moment the North
Caroliajans were dashing over the fence in reg
uiar French (not New York; Zouave style, fir
ing at them in real squirrel hunting style
The Yankees fed for their lives after firing fo;
about three minutes without effect, leaving be-
hind them three dead and a prisoner. The
fellow was stout, ugly fellow from Troy, \.
I. He said that he had nothing against the
South, but somebody must be soldiers and he
thought he had as well enlist. None Of our
men We're hurt.
This bold excursion, under the very guns
OF the enemy, determined the authorities at
Old Point to put stop to it and clear US out
from Bethel. This determination was conveyed
10 Us by persons who came from the reighbor-
hood of the enemy. On Monday morning,
a5out 500 infantry and two guns, under Gen.
5iagruder left the camp and proceeded to.
ards Hampton but after advancing a mile
or two, received information that the Yankees
we're cotningin large force. We then retired
and after reaching camp the guns were placed
N battery, and the infantry took their places
behind their breastwork. Everybody was
cool, and all were anxious to give the invaders
good reception.
-. About o'clock the glittering bayonets o
ehe enemy appeared on the hill opposite, ant
aooFe theTn raved the Star Spsngle Banner
ne moment the head of the column advanced
Jar enough 70 show one or two companies th
i,arFot gun OF the Howitzer. Battery opened OF
them, throwing shell right into their midst
Their ranks broke in confusion, and th
column, or as mneh of it as we could see, re
treated behind two small farm houses. Fror
their position fre was opened on US, whic
xas replied to by our battery, which con
rnanded the route of their approach Gu
Gring was excellent, and the shells scasters
soula kar3l5 sptr02en he guns which re