The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-28

was instructed to support Duryea, march.
ing about an hour later. At the same
time Colonel Phelps, commanding at
Newport News was directed to send out
Il battalion under command of Lieuten-
ant Colonel Washburn in time to make
Il demonstration upon Little Bethel in
front, and to have him supported by Col
onel BendiX's Seventh New York regi-
ment with two field pieces.
Washburn' battalion was made up
Of 300 men from the First Vermont and
500 men from Washburns own regiment
the Fourth Massachusetts The two
field pieces were of the Second United
States artillery (regulars), under com
mand OF Lieutenant Greble. The two
mountain howitzers with Townsend,
were manned by a detachment from Col
Cars Second New York regiment, ''un-
der the direction Of a non commission.
ed officer and four privates of the Unit.
cd States Army" The two supporting
regiments. Townsend's and Bendixs,
were expected to effect junction ut
the fork of the road leading from
Hampton to Newport News, about mid
way between New Market Bridge
and Little Bethel. The move
ment was so timed that the attack on
Little Bethel should be made at day
1 break. In case of failure to surprise the
outpost at Little Bethel, General Pierce
if he thought it expedient was directed
to attack the work at Big Bethel.
In General Buffers 'plan of opera
tons were instructions to Burn up both
the Bethels. Blow UP, if brick" Ar
! tllerists to handle the captured guns, y
and Spikes to spike them were also
to he provided
4 Everything went according to the plan,
Up To Il certain point. Duryea AMI lash
burn had arrived at the places assigned
them. and BendiX's supporting regiment
had arrived at the fork of the road where
the junction was to be made with Town
/ send. AS day dawned Townsend's regi-
ment, with General Pierce and his aid
de-camp in advance, were within a mum
dred yards of BendiX's position when
suddenly the latter opened upon Town
sends column with both artillery and
musketry, killing two and Wouudmg nine
teen, four of the latter being officers.
General Pierce says that he was on the
point of ordering u charge upon the sup
posed enemy when the mistake was dis
covered Duryea and Washburn hear
ing the firing in their rear reversed their
march, to use General Buffers EXPIRES
sion, and joined their beligerent reserves.
Pierce held a council of war, decided
to attack Bethel, and sent to Butler for
reinforcements, who dispatched TO him
Colonel Aliens First and Colonel Cars
Second New York regiments.
The enemy's forces, therefore, which
were engaged against us at Bethel, may
be summed up as follows:
III - Ia
Second New York. Col Carr. . 100 10
"A detachment acting as artillerists)
Third New York, Col. Townsend. 600
Fifth New York Col Duryea. -. $50
Seventh New York, Col Bendix $50 .cl
First Vermont .....t ..... 800 (d
Fourth Massachusetts, 1000. 300 (e)
(Both under I4ieut-Col Washburn).
Second U. S. Artillery, Greoes
Detachment, say ......... 90
Total. 49,. .-.............- 4'4lo
General, staff and courers, and four
guns.
/ General Pierce's General Order No. u,
/ giving in his report, also Ine'hIoiis Col
onel McChesney's command as one of
/ those designated to be held in readiness
! along with Aliens and Carr's. If also
( sent forward, that would swell the total
/ to some $500.
! While these proceedings were taking
( place with the enemy, the First North
Carolina Volunteers were hlirrying for
ward, over Lees and Lanes familiar
course, towards New Market Bridge. 1t
is certain that neither of the marching
columns was aware of the action OF the
other--the North Carohnians starting out
from Big Bethel at 3 o'clock in the morn
ing; and Buffers army from Hampton
and Newport News at l O'Clock and ,
o'clock. Except. for BendiX's daybreak
fight and the consequent delay, we shonld
probably have come upon Duryea's and
Washburnfs troops little to the York
, town side of Little Bethel.
Our forces as assembled for battle
may be thus summarized:
First North Carolina Regiment Col
Onel HILL 80. ............S 800
| Three companies of the Third Vir-
ginia Regiment, Lieutenant-Colo-
! Three companies of Virginia Caval-
ry. Major Montague, ESTIMATED. $50
| Battalion of Virginia Artillery, Maj
| Randolph, (estimated) -. 80. $50
! sos
Randolph report on rifed ir0nl
Parrot gun, 3 howitzers, and one rified
howitzer ON the ground. He sent, be-
sides, one howitzer to the HALFWAY
House." some three miles away, and one
howitzer had previously been posted Tin
the rear Of the road leading from the
Halfway House"
At nine o'clock the head of the enemy's
column (Bendix's Seventh New York;
appeared in the road, bali a mile away,
and soon they seemed to fill it. Who viii
forget that tremendous moment. usher
ing in the war; "A few minutes after
nine O'clock. shot from Randolph's Par
rot gun, aimed by himself, screamed
away at them. 1t hit the earth just in
their front and ricochettel. m ErndiX
says in his report: Before we got ready
for action the enemy opened fire upon as,
striking one man down at my side at the
first shot" They fell away from the
road like Il mist before the sun. Their
artillery at once replied, and the battle
began
The positions of the several companies