The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14

tAileT inc lapse OIL forty and seven
years, the writer readily recalls the
morning of June 10, 1861, and the
opening gun of the Richmond Howit-
zers, whose first shot dealt death in
the Federal ranks at Big Bethel. 1t
was "a well-aimed and glorious shot,
alike defiant and destructive; it dealt
death and wounds in the foremost
ranks or confident enemy: it was a
prompt message to the Federals of
unmistakable meaning, plainly telling
them that grim visage war" had
begun with all its terrors that quiet
Sabbath morning in tho midst of
peaceful pastoral scenes near the
proud, historic heart of dear old ylr-
ginia.
While "the noise of battle hurtled
in the air" citizens OF tho renowned
old capital williamsburg, a few
miles away, knew the conflict was on
for veal or woe; in few hours they
learned that the invaders had been Sc
verely punished.
The writer thinks it is the duty of
some survivor ESQ long as there is onc)
anniversary notice, the same to be
brief, concise and accurate.
The battle of Bethel marked the
first clash of arms of Importance and
decision between Confederatcs and Fed
erals, the forces engaged, consisting of
men OF all arms. aggregating more
than 5000 combatants--a force of 1,4OO
men assailed by a greatly superior
force near 5000 strong.
AS a chronicler of this very impor-
tant event, the writer does not know
of anything new he can write adding
to the facts in the case; therefore he
does not think 1t amiss to republish
what he, wrote for the forty-siXth ami
versary, which is about as follows:
I'm the kindest spirit possible, fully
intending to he fair and correct, rely
ing on memory alone, the writer de-
sires to state a few pertinent facts
which he thinks can be duly substan-
tiated.
The battle of Bethel was fought by
mixed force OF Confedcrates on the one
side, numbering between 1900 and 1900
men OF all arms; the opposing Federal
force, under General Pierce, numbered
near 5000 men. we'll equipped. and
composed of the same arms of the
service as were the Confederates.
THE Confederate force was under
the command OF Colonel John B. Ma
gruder. 1t consisted of a North Caro-
lima infantry regiment about 500
strong, commanded by Colonel d. ri.
Hill; three companies Of the Third
Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Lieu
tenant-Colonel William II. Stuart; two
companies of Virginia cavalry rcg-
ment, commanded, respectively, by
Captains r. G. Douthat and John Lamb;
two companies of the Richmond How
tiers, with four guns. this battalion
under Major George w. Randolph and
Captains II. c. Stanard and j. Thomp-
son Brown.
Work of VirgIn,ans.
The Nirginians in this fight mum
bered fully $50 men, thus making a
composite force, all told. of near 1,aOO
men.
II think It is only fair to state that
Virginia, in thts game little fight. fur
nished the artillery, cavalry and Il
third of the infantry, rs compared
with splendid regiment of fighters
from the 'olh North state, and to
whom we had not then applied the
famous and honorable epithet of Tar:
heels Every Nirginon knows that a.
and after Bethel the gallant "rarhccls
were greatly in evidence on every
battlefield from Bethel to AppomattoX
| But FOR all this, we do not think on,
dear old comrades should claim all
the honors In sight from Bethel tc
| hppomattoX,' or first at Bethel anl
| tarthest at Gettysburg, In this lit.
1 tie anniversary notice of Bethel. Il
we arc correct in our premises, W.
surely would like TO share In III,
honors of Bethel that came to us Joint
~ IN the opening battle of Il glorious
war, now all the dearer to us as til,
Years so by.
Gave Them Good rhrashing.
some years ago In n New Yorl
motel, The writer met a gentleman, VIII
stated he was with the Federals \,
the Bethel fight He related n humble
OF Interesting details, He also admltte
mat the casualties on his side amount
cd 10 loss of 100 in killed. woundc
and missing, He was much surprise
When ! told him our loss was onl
about a dozen wounded and one killed
In reply TO question. he also state
J That scout came In during the fisl