New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-16
LETTER FROM A MARTYR.
Private Letters from ZOuaves
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.

OLD PoISr COMFORT, June 10, 1861.
Judging from the remarks of Northern journals re-
seived here this morning. the movement of Sunday
night upon the Bethels is generally misunderstood.
The forces at both Big and Little Bethel they were
at daylight Saturday morning, accurately counted
by spy from the fortress and even the names Of the
more prominent officers duly reported here, with
full knowledge Of the of affairs and that there
was battery at Amity Creek of what strength had
not been ascertained, and which was 30 ingenously
conceaed as to defy the scrutiny of the scouts and
most of the guns of which must have been mounted
during Saturday and Sunday. Gen. Butler ordered an
attack not upon Big Bethel but upon the little church
this side of the creek. The two expeditions-from
Newport News and from Hampton-were to march at
hours named, aud were to join at fixed time desig
mated in the plan of attack which is on file at
Gen. Buffers Office, in the handwriting of Theodore
Winthrop-the watchword Boston was announced,
and Townsends men were ordered TO a white
clio h upon the arm. so that they might be known.
These orders could be misunderstood each COM
mander was furnished with a copy Of the plan of
attack, which was explained by and to each
by of tie staff The main object Of the enterprise
was to surprise Little Bethel. In pursuance of the
plan, Mr.. VIM. o. Fiske, whose bearing through
out the whole was worthy Of a veteran, had
followed Washburn's detachment from Newport News,
which had proceededon the way the march bengtimed
under the orders with an accuracy which could be
exceeded BeDdx had been stationed with his
at the fork of the roads and the precise time and
from the direction and from which they should have
appeared, COL Townsends regiment marched up 10
the fork to within 100 yards and halted. Lieutenant
George II. Butler, the Generals nephew and A. ID.
c. who was in advance with the artillery, distinctly
saw Bendixs reserve three hundred, fanked out on
the road and the visible through the foliage and
heard the order given LOAD, men; load, quickp
The erson giving the order wore straw hat and blue
ribbon
This, with the giving of the order, without
houting the batte-cry Boston," convinced Butler
that the fire was from the Rebels General
Peirce took the view, and Immediately
dashed to the rear to give order to fall back. In
much less time than it takes to read this paragraph,
the firing was commenced by Bendix and the result
IL well known. Ofcourse all hopes of asurprise were
dashed by this criminal bunder and it would seem to
have been the duty of the commanders to return at
any rate this which was the chief cause of the
disasters Of the day. But there another cause.
spy who had been Is years a soldier in the United
States Army, and who was detected in his nefarous
business by female servant Of Gen. Buffers house.
hold communicated the fact Of the contemplated march
and attack to the enemy, on Sunday night The delay
caused by the bunder at the fork Of the roads gave
time to complete preparations and to bring is
ascer;ained, reenforcements from Yorktown. This
traitor, happily, is now in the guardhouse of the
fortress.
TIE nest at Little Bethel having been destroyed by
Duryee, the service upon which the expedtn Or
dered was completed. 1t was then question of ex-
pedency 10 be decided by Gen. Perce and his Colones
whether not TO proceed further. He did proceed;
how and with what success, need not be written here.
These minute details, embracing the recital Of some
things which perhaps it better not to put into
print furnish a complete vindcaon of Major General
Butler from the charge of lack Of ability in
planning the expedition. The erceness Of the assault
on him by certain New-York journal perhaps ust-
fes though, in fact il may not call for this recital Of
facts which, with those whose good opinion is worth
having, will am confident, prove sufficient.
Yesterday, Capt. III. f. Davies, jr., of Co. C, in
Col Duryees regiment, made a visit with flag Of
truce to Yorktown. Tuesday evening he received Or
ders from Gen. Butler to proceed with flag of truce to
the Of the recent conflict to look after the dead
wounded and missing Lieut.. G.. II. Seaman Of Co. G,
and Acknowledgment Martin, detailed to accom-
pany him. Starting early Wednesday morning, they
proceeded as far as Newmarket Bridge, which they
found partially destroyed and which they repaired 30
us to pass over. On arriving within mile of Great
Bethel, they were stopped by guard commanded by
Capt Early of the Virginia forces. On learning the
object of the vsit Capt Davieswas informed that Col
Magruder commander Of the Virginia forces had left
and gone back Yorktown and thatit would be
Sry to see him there Although he was informed that
q humber of our men were in that vicinity wounded
Capt. d. not permitted to see them, but was re-
quired TO proceed at once TO Yorktown twenty miles
further on. An escort of four and sergeant
furnished, and the party Immediately set ont. They
were permitted to take the usual route butafer pro-
ceedng along the Yorktown road for mile they struck
of into the woods by bypath, which, at frequent In
tervas was defended by barbados Of fallen trees and
other contrivances. Pursuing this path three four
miles they took the main road again and proceeded to
Yorktown.
About half mile outside Of the Notifications at
Yorktown, they were halted at cavalry camp, where
they remained Till word sent TO Col. Magruder of
their arrival. This officer soon came TO where they
Wore, and received Capt. Davies and bis party with
poiteness and consideration Col. Magruder, on hear
ing that Capt ID. purposed exchange of prisoners,
and that be desired opportunity to the wounded
sAid that he would reply by letter TO Gen. Butler, but