The National tribune., 1883-11-08
The Battle Chaplain Thorpe, Of the Third New
York Infantry, Saw Ii.
ne the Editor NATIoNAI TRIEuNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Thinking that, perhaps, some of the boys
/" who got there" at the start would like to re-
view their early fights over again, / have CON-
piled the inclosed account of the battle of Big
Bethel, from the original letter, now in the
possession of its writer, Comrade w. ". Thorpe,
late chaplain, Third New York infantry, and
at present chaplain of John L. Bashore Post,
No 122, Department of Iowa, located at Cen
tervilie, Iowa. Conlrade Thorpe WIS among
the first to go to the front, and his letters may
be of interest to many that have almost forgot
ten him. Conrade Thorpe, it is believed, bu-
ried the first soldier killed by the rebels.
THOMAS w. MEERs
John L. Bashore Post, Post correspondent
CENTERvILLE, Iowa.
CAMP HAMILTON
DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA June IL, 1851
Itmay crafty your readers 70 receive from one who
witnessed it, accurate account of battle fought
near old Point Comfort yesterday June 10, 1861
morning. IL is the first grand battle fought on the
soil of Virginia. during the present campaign, in
defense of the Constitution and the Union. And,
though resulting unfavorably to our cause, it has
important bearings, as showing the bravery Of the
Federal forces and the valor OF the enemy with
whom contending-
AS am q dsintcrested party with regard to the
prospects of position and as the field
during the i've long hours of the conflict, am pre-
pared to make statement of the leading incidents
of the day and to mention the men who gained
credit to themselves and reflected honor the flag
of their country. General Butler, commander Of
the military department. OF Virginia, having
learned that the Confederate forces had inirenched
themselves In the vicinity of village called Great
Bethel, about nine miles from Hampton and were
extending their line of pickets deemed il neces-
sary to disiosige them. Accordingly, four regi-
naents-- Duryea's Zouaves, Colonel Townsend's
regiments, the German regiment under Colonel
Bender, and two detaehments from the Massaeha-
sets Fourth and Vermont regiments, were ordered
to prepare TO march III a moments warming Colo
mel Alien and Colonel Carr ordered to remain
in camp until ordered out q reserve force
Sunday, at sunset. orders came from headquar
tiers to march at IL O'Clock Sunday night, Colo
mel Duryea and Colonel Townsend crossed the
creek at Hampton, by means of fishing boats
manned by members of Bartletts brigade, and
took up their line OF march. simultaneously with
this movement, the Massachusetts Fourth and Yer
mont regiments, located at Newport News, hasten
ed forward TO form junction with the forces from
Fortress Monroe before reaching the field of action
When about five miles from Hampton, Colonel
Townsend's command met with a nishap. As
they We're advancing toward narrow defiie
through dense wood, marching by flank, in the
rout-step, with arms at VIII " and wholly uncon-
seous of the proximity of an armed force, heavy
and welI-sustained fire of cannon and small arms
was suddenly opened upon them which told with
terrible effect. SO sudden was the attack that the
staggered backward, and for q moment or
two, the utmost confusion prevailed throughout
the ranks, but they rallied Immediately and fell
into their places with the prosnptness and preeiS-
ion OF welI-disciplined troops. After remaining
more than twenty minutes IN the midst Oh TINS
deadly fire. they withdrew in perfect order to a
more favorable position, and. at the command OF
General Pierce. formed in line of battle and adj
vanced once more to the conflict. But it soon
aseertaifled by our imagined foe that they bad
been TooiI5hly firing upon their friends. Tie forces
which opened the fire proved TO be Colonel Bend
er's German regiment and a detachment of the
Vermont regiment having from Newport
News with two FOUNDERS to join the forces from
Fortress Monroe.
The result of the firing upon the Third regiment
Was two ncrtaily wounded three dangerously,
and four officers and twelve privates slightly,
making total of twenty-one.
THE BATTLE.
After mutual consultation the entire forces pro-
ceeded to Great Bethel, some five or six miles from
the place where the error committed AS soon
the right of the column approached the place we
enemy, who opened upon terrific fire with
battery of rified cannon. In accordance with the
command of General Pierce, battle was immedi-
ateiy given, in order TO ascertain, If possible, the
strength of the enemy. Colonel Townsend COM
niand was ordered to sustain Colonel Duryea, and
planted themselves IN open field at his left and
about eight hundred PAGES from the battery. Colo
mel Duryea having moved nearer the 'front.' Colonel
Townsend was ordered to take position in a
narrow lane at right angles to the main road and
about two hundred PAGES from the battery. and
gtill on the left of Colonel Duryea, who occupied
position in deep wood On the right OF the main
road for full half hour Colonel Townsend ree-
ment was forced TO face that battery which was
sweeping with perfect precision every inch of the
ground. 1t is acknowledged by all the military
this vicinity that at tins time they exhibited
the genuine old Teutonic pluck.
At length Colonel Townsend was ordered to
send skirulshers to reconnolter TO ascertain the
strength of the enemy's right To accomplish this
object Captain John &. Butler and Edwin s. Jenny,
of Syracuse, having volunteered TO undertake this
perious enterprise We're detailed with their COM
panies to cross the field directly in front of the
battery with the order to fail back Immediately if
attacked by too great a number. The most brill
| liant achievement of the day was made by these
two companies, who soon drove the rebels from
their ambuseade into their Entertainments, and
elated with success, pushed forward through a
driving storm of iron sleet to the brow of the hill
looking down into the battery. From this point the
masked battery of the enemy was discernable, and
the rebels to the number of 900, clothed In light
gray uniforms and broad-briInmed hats, were
seen vigorously working at their guns. These two
| companies, though only handful compared with
! the strength OF the foe gaiiantly shouted for a
| charge. Colonel Townsend, who, from the head
of the line was anxiousfy watching their every
movement, pereeying that q charge would result
in their utter annihilation rode rapidly across the
| field, and, in the very jaws of death. commanded
| them to fail back and charge IN line OF battle
At this moment, pereeiving that there pos
sibiiity OF forcing the enbrasures of the battery,
Colonel Townsend ordered his regiment 10 For
| ward chargetn Under the lead of their gallant
| commander they advanced rapidly and in perfect
line the brow of the hill, within few PAGES OF
the enlbrasures, where they poured down the foe
| voiley of musketry which caused many rebel
TO bite the dust After several rapid and telling
/ rounds had been delivered, Colonel Townsend was
about to give the order to charge upon the battery
/ when the order was given from General Pierce to
Withdraw his command, as any force OF muslSetry
I would be unayaiilng against such q formidable
| breastworkS. Thus, sitter battle OF nearly five
hours beneath the scorehng Southern sum- Colonel
/ Townsend and Col. DuTyea whose regiments were
foremost IN the work retired IN perfect order from
the field OF battle. cannot conclude my account
of the transactions of the day without briefly aliuG-
| ing fo the heroic conduct of Colonel Townsend
cannot command language adequate TO express the
sentiments of admiration W ich feel for him. The
only mounted officer, except the general and staff
| he moved unfiinchingiy where the bullets flew
I the thicSest He seemed to beubiquitous. Riding
| up and down the line, close TO the battery with
| sword in hand and eyes flashing fire, he every
| where animated the men by his noble bearing and
his marvellous intrepidity. When lie entered that
field never expected TO him go out of it alive
! but there's Divinity which shapes our ends
] rough hew them will He did not fall.
| have no doubt that he has been preserved by a
| merciful Providence for still greater ieeds,>Gnd
tiny.
! THE CASUALTIES.
have endeavored to procure a list OF the killed
| and wounded in the battle of Big Bethel, but upon
inquiry at headquarters find il is matter which
| cannot be definitely aSeertained. l learned from
General Butler that his estimate about twenty
| killed and 100 wounded 1t is probable that the
rebels sustained much greater loss than the Fed
eral forces. One of our brave men elm bed a tree
near the battery and succeeded in picking off eight
| men, after which he received a bali through the
heart, and only livedlong enough 20 say: Send my
| love to MOTHER Among the killed was Lieut.
| Greble of the United States artillery. He was
struck on the right of his forehead by rifed can
non ball, which carried away half of his head. He
seemed TO have prenlonition of his sad fate Dur
ing the whole of the engagement he had a most
melancholy expression OF countenance. When be,
| ing asked by Colonel Townsend if he would place
his pieces in the field in front of the battery he
piled viii, sir; that is my profession" He was
an efficient officer and great favoTite among his