The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-01-07

the night Of the 9th OF June. and 1t was
designed to surprise the enemy before day
columns we're based on the showing Of an
old and incorrect map: and as from this
the troops that had to move from Newport
News were three miles nearer the point
aimed at than the other column, 1t was
arranged that they should start. an hour
case, however. was, that they were four
miles further: and just before daybreak
the rear regiment of the left column, uf.
der Col. Bendix. aud the rear regiment OF
the right column, under Col Townsend
(which had followed Duryea's regiment
at an interval of two hours). met at q
junction of roads near Little Bethel; and
the former. installing the latter for an
enemy. opened q fusillade. by which Town
sends regiment suffered loss OF % IN
killed and wounded before the contretenps
Bethel. getting the alarm, took fight. and
the expedition then advanced on Big
Bethel. This position. as it appears. was
occupied as an outpost OF Magruder's
main body at YORKTOWN. and was held BY
ginia troops, under Col. d. II. Hill. then
in command of the list n. c. The posi-
ton was rather advantageous for defence.
being covered by a swampy creek, and fur.
Their strengthened by some guns placed
under cover. It was liable. however, to be
displayed a great Incompetence in his dis
positions: but it happened that there was
one man there who saw the course OF
action suited to the case. Lieut.. Col.
Warren suggested that regiment should
be sent round on each side to take the
position in flank, and when these became
a wood. should attack. This operation, if
carried out. would probably have been sue
cessful.. But the regiment that was to
make the movement on the enemys right,
instead of being directed by detour
through woods, was advanced right across
an open field, in front OF the position,
whereby it became exposed to an artillery
fire. 1t happened, too, that the left conf
l,any became separated from the rest of
send not being aware of this. and seeing
the glistening of bayonets in the woods,
concluded the enemy was outf!anking him,
and SO fell back to his first position. The
regiment that had gone round on the other
flank found itself in difficult situation,
where being exposed to pretty severe fire.
it was found hard to bring the men up
and Maj. Winthrop. Aid to Gen. Butler.
a young man of superior culture and prom
Use. was killed while rallying the troops
to the assault. Lieut.. Greble. of the RegiI-
lar Artillery, who. had handled his guns
Withdraw. battery posted to command
the road leading to Bethel was also killed !:
and the aggregate loss was found to be
about 100 men. Gen. Pierce then ordered
a retreat, and the regiments marched off
as on parade. Col. Warren. who alone
protested against the retreat, voluntarily
remained on the ground and together with
DIR. Winslow, of his regiment. brought off
the wounded. While he yet remained on
the ground, the confederates abandoned
the position; and the reason for this step
assigned by Col. Hill is, that he feared
rplnfOrcpmpufS world hQ Sapf nm from
Fortress Monroe The affair OF Big
Bethel really proved nothing, except that
an attempt, Involving failure in its very
conception, had failed. Yet it was mag
nified as a great victory by the South !;
was put forth as q test of what was called
relative manhood - and produced through
out the North a deep feeling of NORTH
cation and humiliation.$