The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-13

motion CO crdoroo, and he march was 80 timed tha,
Colonel Duryee had got in the position noted upon the
accompany rg sseic and Lieutenant Colonel washburn,
n command Of the regiment from Newpor News, had
got into the poe ion Indicated upon he SKETCH and
Colonel aendxs regime had been posted and ordered
to hold the fork Of road with pieces artillery
and Colonel rownsends regiment had got u the place
Indicated just behind and about TO form junction
as the d,y dswned.
Up to this point the plan had been vigorously,
accurately and successfully carried out but here,
by come strange faulty, and yet unexplained blum
der, without any word Of notice, while Colone Town
send IN column en- route and when the
head Of the column within one hundred
yards, Col Bsndxs regiment opened fire with both art
ery and musketry upon COL Townsends column, which,
in the hurry and confusion rregulary returned by
some Of Col Townsends men, who feared that they had
falep3 into an am buacade. Colonel Townsends column
Immediately retreated to the emnence near by, and
vere not pursued by Colo ell 5ondixs men. BY this al
mosts criminal blunder two men Of Colonel Townsends
regiment were killed and eight more or less wounded.
Hearing this cannonadng and hriog IN his rear Lieu
tenant Colonel wsshburn, not knowing but that his
municatiOn might be cut Off, Immediately reversed his
march, as did Colonel Daryee and marched back to form
junction with his ressrvest
General Pierce, who was with Colonel Townsend's
approach and had posted himse in force the line Of
march, and not getting any Communication from Colonel
ouryee sent back to me for renlorcements, and i'm
medatey ordered Colonel Aliens regiment to be put in
notion and they reached Hampton about O'Clock
In the meantime the true state Of facts havirg been
4scertaned by General Pierce, the regiments effected
junction, and resumed the line Of march. At the mo-
ment OF the firing Of Colonel Bendix Colonel Duryee had
surprised part of an outlying guard Of the enemy, con-
sipg OF thirty persons who have been brought in tome
OF by this firing all hopes OF surprise above
the camp at Little Bethel lost and, upon marching
upon it, it was found 10 Rave been vacated, and the
cavalry had pressed toward Big Bethel Colonel Duryee
however, destroyed the camp at Little Bethel and ad
vanced General Pierce then, he informs me- with the
advice Of his Coone thought best to attempt to carry
the works Of the enemy at Big Bethel and made DISPOSE
lions to that effect. The attack commenced, as am in
formedor have not yet received any official reports
about half past nine o'clock
At about ten O'Clock General Pierce sent note to
saying that there was a sharp engagement with the
enemy, and that he thought he should be able
to maintain his position until achievements could
come up. Acting upon this information, Colonel
Carrs regiment which had been ordered in the morning
to proceed far rs Newmarket Bridge, allowed to
go forward. received this information, for which
had sent special messenger, about twelve o'clock.
immediately made disposition from Newport News to
have Colonel Phelps from the four regiments there for
ward aid necessary AS soon as these orders could be
cent forward repaired to Hampton for the purpose Of
having proper abulances and wagons for the sick and
wounded intending go forward and join the command
While the wagons going forward messenger came,
announcing that the engagement had termined,
ard that the troops were retiring In good
order to camp remained upon the ground at
Hampton, personally seeing the wounded put in boats
and towed round to the hospital AMI ordering forward
Lieutenant Norris with twoboat wzers to cover the
ear Of the returning column in case 1t should be at.
lacked Having been informed that the ammunition Of
die artillery had been expended and seeing the head Of
he column approach Hampton in good order, waited
Tor General Pierce to come up 1 am informed
by him that the dead and wounded had all
aeen brought OF, and that the return had
osen conducted in good order, and without haste.
learned from him that the men behaved with great
steadiness with The exception Of few instances,
and that the attack made with propriey vgor and
courage but that the enemy found 70 be supported
by battery, varously estimated Of from fifteen to
twenty pieces, some ofwhich were riQed cannon which
ver- well served and protected from being readily
turned by a creek in front.
Our loss s very considerable, amounting perhaps to
tory Rfty quarter part Of which you will see was
from shs unfortunate mistake-to call 1t by worse
name-d Colonel Bendix
will, as soon official returns can be got, give
fuller detail Of the affair." and will only add now that we
have regret especially the death OF Lieut. Grebe Of
the Second artillery, who went out with Co. Washburn,
from Newport News, and who very efficiently and gal
lantly fought his piece until he struck by
shot will endeavor to get accurate statements
TO forward by the next mail. think, in the
unfortunate combination Of circumstances, and the
result which we experienced. we have gained
more than have lost. Our troops have learned TO
have confidence in themselves under fire, the enemy
shown that they will not meet in the open feld
md Off GERS have learned wherein their organization
ard drill are inefficient.
While waiting for the official reports have the honor
10 submit thus far the informant of which am pos.
sessed. have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
BENZ. F. BUTLER, Major General commanding.