The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-15

lying on memory alone, the writer de-
sires TO state a few pertinent facts
tiated.
The battle Of Bethel was fought
, by mixed force OF Confederates on
the one side, numbering about 400
men or all arms; the opposing Fed
eral force. under General Pierce. num-
oered near 5000 men. well 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 Car
olina infantry regiment about 500
strong. commanded by Colonel ID. III.
Hill; three companies of the Third
Regiment. Virginia Infantry; Lieuten-
ant Colonel William H Stuart: two
companies OF Virginia cavalry regi-
nent, commanded, respectively. by
Captains X. G. Douthat and John
Lamb; two companies of the Rich
Inond Howttzers, with four guns, this
battalion under Major George w.
randolph and Captains r. c. Stanard
and j. Thompson Brown
What the Virginians Did.
The Virginians in this fight num-
oered fully $50 men, thus making a
men. A'''O
Il think it is only fair to state that
virginia. in this game little fight. fur
y 81
third Of the infantry, as compared
with splendid regiment Of fighters
from the "Old North State" and TO
whom had not then been applied the
famous and honorable epithet of
Iarheeis- Every Virginian knows
tnat at and after Bethel the gallant
Tarheels" were greatly in evidence
on every battlefield from Bethel 10
AppomattoX- But for all this. we do
not think our dear old comrades
should claim all the honors in sight
from Bethel to Appomattox'' or
first at Bethel and farthest at Gettvs-
burg In this anniversary notice of
bethel, If we are correct in our prem
lses, we surely would like to share in
the honors of Bethel that came TO
US Jointly in the opening battle of a
glorious war, now all the dearer to
us as the years go by.
some years ago. in a New York
motel, the writer met q gentleman who
stated he was with the Federals in
the Bethel fight. He related a num-
per OF interesting details. He also ad-
mltted that the casualties on his side
amounted TO loss of 100 in killed.
wounded and missing. He was much
surprised when 1 told him our loss
was only about a dozen wounded and
one killed: In reply to a question he
aIso stated that scout came in dur
ing the fight and reported the Con
Ieoerates were receiving large rein
forcements. This had the efrect OF
ending the battle with a hasty re-
treat, leaving all the honors OF war
with the Confederates in this. the first
battle of the war of IS6I-'65'
we all know what a good thrash
ing we gave the Federals at Bethel
that June morning fifty years ago. II
was handsomely done by North Caro-
tlnlans and Virginians. We are proud
10 claim a part only OF this high
honor for the living and our pos
terity. P"S
Ere the fight begun q Sabbath sun
shone alike on Confederates and Fed
erals; but during the battle and with
smiled approvingly on the victory OF
the gray. the defeat OF the blue.
Very Young Warriors They Were
The battle of Bethel on the Con
1ederate side was fought by very
young men; there was a Roodly nun1
ber of youths of 16 to is in the ranks.
most OF the officers were young men.
few had. reached middle age. The
Federal force. numerically, was thrice
as strong as the Confederates. and
composed OF men more advanced in
years, the major part between 80 and
40, and at middle life; but for all this
II came about that our lusty and va
lant youths and young men outfought
the older and more disciplined men
mat June morning near the sleepy
q
sweet Southern sky fifty years ago"
All, me! the dear old days, the old
Confederate days OF our youth; they
are never dead to us, we love them
all, and still live in them fondly, low
ingly. You remember Hardcastle
says In She StoOps to Conquer" "I
love everything that is old; old
friends. old times. old manners. old
books. old Wine" Requesting indul-
gence for being personal. 1 am now
writing where 1 live. dwell, move and
have my being, in my old home. in
the room where my eyes of three
score and ten years first saw the light
OF the old days; how many can truly
say this and feel ii as I do? Fifty
years ago the writer marched away
from this old home carrying KNAPP
sack, ammunition, Enfield rifle, and
other equipment of a Confederate sol
der; eighteen days latter at Bethel he
was vigorously engaged in firing on
bunch OF Zouaves who wore large
baggy red trousers: this was a notable
ranger wrote, I'm the brave DAYS
when was twenty-one."
whittier is fed the visionary dream
Where is 1t now, the glory and the
dream?"
All. delightful vision. ling'ring with
us,
To warm each hopeful. loyal heart
With loving touch of immortality.
I'VE have been friends together in
sunshine and in shade"
Wen still be friends together with
none to make afraid;
An. comrades, comrades. comrades
how old we are growing now.
There's many a frosty head and many
a wrinkled brow;
And still we are marching onward
with slow and faithful tramp,
knowing, knowing. knowing, there's a
nearby, peaceful camp.
G. A. RICHARDSON
Company b, Fifteenth Virginia In
fantry.
Richmond. June 10, 1911.