The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-21
Affair at Great Bethel.
Gen. Buffers Official Report.
Tho following is Gen. Buffers Official ro-
port OF the affairs ut Little and Great Bethel |:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT or VIRGINIA,
FORTRESS MONROE, June 10, 1861. (


HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA.,
FORTRESS MONROE, June 10, 1861.
To Lieut. Gen. Seon.-
General Having learned that tho enemy
had established an outpost Of some strength
at place called Little Bethel, asmall church
about eight miles from Newport News, and
the same distance from Hampton, from
whence they were accustomed nightly to ad.
vance both on Newport News and the pick.
Q, guards OF Hampton to annoy them, and
also from whence they had come down IN
small squads Of cavalry and taken number
of Union men, some Of whom had the safe
guard and protection Of the troops Of tho
United States, aud dforccd them into the rcb-
el ranks; and that they were also gathering
up the slaves Of citizens who had moved
away and left their farms in charge Of their
negroes, carrying them to work IN cntrench-
mcnts at Williamsburg and Yorktown, bad
determined to send upa foJce to drive them
back and destroy their camp, the headquar-
tcrs of which was this small church. had
also learned that at a place short distance
further on, on the road to Yorktown, was an
outwork Of the rebels, on the Hampton side
Of place called Big Bethel, largo church
near tho head Of the north branch Of Back
river, and that here was very considerable
rendezvous, with works Of moro or less
strength in process OF erection, and from
this point the whole country was laid under
contribution.
Accordingly ordered General Picrce,who
is in command at Camp Hamilton, at Hamp.
ton, to send Duryee's regiment Of zouaycs to
be ferried over Hampton creek at one o'clock
this morning. and to march by tho road up
to Newmarket bridge, then, crossing tho
bridge. to go by byc.road and thus put the
regiment in the rear Of tho enemy, and bs-
tween Big Bethel and Little, in part for tho
purpose Of cutting him of, and then to mako
an attack on Little Bethel. directed Gen.
Pierce to support him from Hampton with
Col. Townsends regiment, with two mount
cd howitlen, and 10 march about an hour
later. At the same time directed Col.
Phelps, commanding at Newport News,
to send out . battalion. composed Of such
companies Of the regiments under bis COM
mand as he thought best, under command Of
Lieut.. Col. Washburn, in time to mako
demonstration upon little Bethel In front.
and to have him supported by Col. BcndiI's
regiment, with two feld.picccs. Bendix and
Townscnd's regiments should effect juno
ton at q fork OF the road leading from Now.
port News. something like milo and half
from Little Bethel. directed the march 10
to be ~ timed that the attack should be
made just at daybrcak, and that after theat-
tack wa, made on little Bethel, Duryce's
regiment and regiment from Newport
News should follow Immediately upon the
heels Of the fugitives, II they wero enabled
to cut them ofr. and attack the battery on
the road to Big Bethel, while covered by tho
fugitives; or, II It was thought expedient by
General Pierce. falling to surprise tho caup
at Little Bethel, they should attempt to take
the work near Big Bethel.
To prevent the possibility Of mistake in
the darkness. directed that no alta. should
bc made until the watchword should DO shout
cd by the attacking regiment, and In case
that by any mistake in the march the rcgi-
mcnts that werc to make the junction should
unexpectedly meet and be unknown to each
other, also directed that the members OF Col.
Townsend regiment should be known, II in
daylight, by something white worn on the
arm. The troops were accordingly put 10
motion as ordered, and the march was 90
timed that Col. Duryce had got in the posi-
ton noted upon the accompanying sketch,
and II. Col. washburn, In command Of the
regimen, from Newport News. had got into
the position indicated upon tho sketch, and
Col. Bendix's regiment had been posted and
ordered to hold the fork OF the road with
two pieces Of artillery, and Col. Town'ends
regiment had got to the place indicated just
behind, and were about to form functional
the day dawncd.
Up to this poin, the plan had been risor.
ou.ly. accurately and successfully carried
on, bu, here. by some strange faulty, and
as ye. unexplained blunder, without any
word Of notice, while Col. Townsend was In