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?