New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-20
Plans and Purposes of the Enemy.
TIIE BODY OF MAJOR WINTHROP.
TESTIMONY OF HIS BRAVERY
The Rebels had Ten Killed at Big Bethel.
Arrival of the Minnesota with the Pirates
Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Tribune.

via BALTIMORE, June 10, 1861.
The expedition yesterday to enable Capt smith,
Of the Typographical Engineers, to make recon-
noisance returned late in the evening, having
travelled twenty five miles. It went to Newman
ket Bridge and to Newport News, then hVe hni'e'
up James River, passed over to the east orancn
of Back River, and returned by Newmarket
Bridge.
Beside a critical survey of this district much
valuable information was obtained concerning the
position, strength, and purposes of the enemy,
who, in considerable force occupy the district
between Hampton and Back River, with the ey-
ident intention of drawing nearer to Old Point.
They are making a survey OF the routes ana
bridges, aud it is the opinion of Capt. Smith
that their plan is to throw forward bodies OF
men so as TO occupy the district between lamp
ton and Yorktown.
To-day Capt. Smith is engaged in reconnoiterng
between Newmarket Bridge ard the east branch oi
Back River, with reference TO works to check
these purposes.
Other reconnoisances will follow, and com.
plete survey will be obtained of what has become
between Hampton and Yorktown.
Nothing is known of the reported concentration
of troops above Newport News. The rumor Is
doubted. The steamers seen on james River are
probably carrying guns to be transported 10
Yorktown.
Yesterday Lieut.. George II. Butler with Others
proceeded to Big Bethel to bring away the re-
mains of Major Winthrop. At Little Bethel
picket took their message TO Col. Magruder, who
sent Capt. Kilsen of louisiana to receive them.
Two hours after Col Magruder came, and tney
were Handsomely received. With Col. Magruder
were Col. De Russy, brother of the Chief OF the
Engineers at Fortress Monroe, Col. Hill of North
Carolina. and other late officers of the army.
None of Lieut.. Buffers party were permitted
10 90 near the batteries. The body OF Major
Winthrop was taken up by Col. Magruders men,
and escorted to the wagon by force OF 3OO,
who fired n yollry Most of them had shot
guns An escort was offered to Hampton, but
Lieut.. Butler declined it.
Col. Magruder and others spoke in the highest
terms of Major Winthrops bravery. He was
distinctly seen for some time leading body OF
men to the charge, and had mounted log, and
was waving his sword, AMI shouting to his men
to Come on :" when a North Carolina drum
merboy borrowed gun, leaped on the battery,
and shot him deliberately in the breast. lie fell
nearer to the enemys works than any other man
went during the fight
He wore the sword Of Col Wardrop of the
Massachusetts Third, and it was supposed that
it was Col. w. who fell. The sword has been
sent to North Carolina as a trophy. 1t has on
it the name Of Col. w.
From what he saw and heard Lieut.. Butler
is convinced that the Rebels had not less than
ten killed and large number wounded. Their
battery was constructed and served by Major
Randolph, and the battle was fought principally
by North Carolina troops.
The Virginia cavalry is spoken of as fit only
for scouts; two regiments that had been sent for
reached Big Bethel from Yorktown just as our
forces retreated, having marched fifteen miles in
two hours and half. They were completely
exhausted.
The remains of Major Winthrop will leave TO-
night for New-York with an escort.
A second experiment with the Sawyer prcjec-
tile, from the Rip Raps, was tried to-day. Ten
shots were fired, eight Of which fell either inside
of or short distance from the rebel battery on
Sewas Point. The firing was witnessed by Gen.
Butler, Col. Dimmick, and q large party of
gentlemen and ladies, and was regarded rs extra
ordinary, especially as the battery could not be
seen at the Rip Raps. The men in the rebel
camp were seen from the tug to scatter in all
directions.
The Minnesota, with the crew Of the Priyateer
Savannah on board, came into the Roads this
morning.
To the Associated Press
FoRrREss MONROE, Tuesday June ls,
VIA BALTIMORE, June 10, 1861.
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