Hillsborough (NC) Recorder
June 19, 1861
Page 3
THE
BATTLE AT BETHEL CHURCH
The Richmond Dispatch’s Account
The
rumors in regard to the battle near Newport
News, on Monday, were well founded. W. F. McKesson, Esq., of Morganton, N. C.,
arrived here yesterday. He brings with
him a musket taken from the prisoner mentioned below, which is to be sent to
Dr. J. F. E. Hardy, of Ashville, N. C. as a trophy captured by the company from
that place. Also, a large knife taken
from the same prisoner.
Mr.
McKesson furnishes us with the following particulars:
The
Confederate forces, under Col. Magruder, were
stationed at Bethel
Church, on the line
between Elizabeth
City and York counties. They consisted of not more than 1,800 or 2000
men. This place is six miles from Newport News, sixteen
from Yorktown and eight from Hampton.
On
Saturday afternoon, Captain McDowell’s company from Ashville, N. C., 100
strong, were out on a reconnoitering expedition, with Lieut. Gregory and ten
men some distance. Coming within a mile
and three quarters of Hampton,
they encountered 200 of the enemy on a similar excursion, who also had an
advance guard in front. Lieut. Gregory
and his guard of ten men approached within thirty-five steps of the enemy, when
a parley took place between them, each party endeavoring to quiz the
other. Finally, a large man of the
enemy, who stood near Lieut. Gregory, cried out, “I know you are friends! I belong to the Second New York Regiment!”
whereupon Lieut. G. placed his pistol near the New Yorker’s head and exclaimed,
“Drop your musket, or I’ll blow your brains out! You are my prisoner!” at the same time
calling upon his men to fire.
The
order was obeyed by Lieut. Gregory’s Guard, and twenty-five of Capt. McDowell’s
command, some eighty steps in the rear, also fired. The Yankees returned the fire, but none of
our men were injured. From twelve to
fifteen of the Yankees were killed and wounded by this discharge, and Lieut.
Gregory secured the prisoner. Capt.
McDowell, observing the retreat of the Northern party, thought it prudent to
withdraw his command as a large body of Federal troops were within a half mile.
The
Northern soldiers fired very badly.
Lieut. Gregory was on horseback, and the balls whizzed far above his
head.
In
their retreat, the Yankees carried their dead and wounded in two carts and a
buggy to Hampton.
Nothing
of interest occurred on Sunday.
The Battle
of Bethel Church—On Monday morning, about 3 o’clock, the Confederate force at Bethel Church
was aroused by a report that the enemy were approaching. In five minutes the men were under arms and
prepared to march. The men were in
excellent spirits, and apparently well pleased at the prospect of an
encounter. They started in good order,
with everything ready for immediate action.
After
a march of three and a half miles in the direction of Newport News, and finding no enemy, they
abandoned the search and returned.
About
six o’clock, while our
troops were at breakfast, another dispatch arrived, stating that the enemy—supposed
about 4,500 strong—were advancing, and were within three miles, with several
pieces of artillery. Our troops had but
six cannon. They at once made
preparations for a deadly conflict.
At
this point our informant left for Yorktown, and on arriving there, met Col. DeRussy’s Louisiana Regiment, 1,000 strong, in rapid march
towards the scene of action.
Another
letter from Grove Landing, James River, says:
They were repulsed twice at 10 ½ o’clock A. M.; but relying on their numbers,
as they always have done, they again rallied, when they were driven off with a
loss of three hundred men. Our loss is
small when compared with theirs, being only six.
P. S. Dr. Vaughan,
1st Lieut. of one of the companies, just from the field of battle,
reports a heavy loss on the side of the enemy—number not exactly known. We had one of our picket guards taken, and
one man killed; several wounded. The
enemy took one of our batteries, but were soon routed by a charge from North
Carolina Regiment. We had about 1200 men
to the odds of 4000. Reinforcements have
been sent from Yorktown—a battle expected
today. They have 19,000 in and around
Old Point. Cannot Richmond spare us a few more men?
