Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

June 19, 1861

Page 3

 

                                    From the N. C. State Journal

                              THE FIGHT BY AN EYEWITNESS

            We are indebted for facts contained in the following sketch to Wm. Tiddy, Esq., of Charlotte, who was present during the whole time; and for the benefit of those who do not know our informant, we state that he is an intelligent gentleman and perfectly reliable:

            It appears that our troops left Yorktown for Bethel Chapel at noon on Thursday last, and reached that point by 7 o’clock in the evening.  The cause of this movement is, of course, best known to the officers in command.  Accompanying the troops was a battery of four howitzer guns, manned by Richmond Artillery.  On Saturday the Edgecombe Guards, Capt. Bridgers, were out scouting and killed some seven or eight of the enemy.

            The time between the arrival at Bethel Church and the engagement was devoted to entrenching the position taken by Col. Hill—and our informant says the ground was admirably well chosen.  By Sunday night everything was in readiness—breastworks complete and the place made impregnable.

            On Monday morning the troops were beat to arms before day and advanced from their position some two or three miles, when they were met by and old lady from whom they learned that the Yankees were in force in that neighborhood.  This being confirmed by the scouting parties, the command of Col. Hill was ordered back to their entrenchments.  The enemy’s advance was reported as they progressed by our scouts.  An attack was now inevitable.  Col. Hill delivered his final instructions to his troops, having seen every man at his post, and ordered that strict silence should be observed and that no man should fire before the word was given.  The Lincolnites were now in sight.  The artillery, under order of Col. Hill, waited till the enemy was in full range and then opened upon them.  The first shot, as was learned from one of the wounded, killed four or five and wounded several.  This fire was opened at 500 yards range.

            The action commenced about 8 o’clock, A. M.  The enemy promptly returned the fire from their artillery, but did not fight with spirit.  Shot and shell were showered at out troops, but nearly all passed over the entrenchments and did no harm.

            A flank movement was now attempted on the left of our line, but that was gallantly repulsed by the Charlotte Greys.  In this attack Col. D. W. Wardrop, of the N. Y. 7^th Regiment, fell mortally wounded.  (Col. Duryea was not present, and hence the statement of his death is incorrect.)

            On the right of our lines, a swamp intervening, was posted a number of Virginia troops, with one Howitzer gun.  By some means this gun became spiked, owing, it is said, to the needle used at the touch-hole breaking in the vent.  The enemy, seeing this gun silenced, charged upon it and took possession of that point, threatening our right.  Capt. Bridgers was ordered to retake that position, which he most gallantly did, sustained by the fire from the battery in the centre, and drove some 2,000 men before him with about 85.  They fell back under cover of a house some 30 to 40 paces in front.  Capt. B. called for volunteers from his company to fire the building.  Some five stepped forward to the hazardous task, among them the brave Henry L. Wyatt, who immediately fell, pierced with a rifle ball.  He died that evening.  A companion of Wyatt’s shot the Yankee who had killed his comrade, and the house now being on fire by a shell, the four comrades returned to their ranks.

            The Lincolnites made another attempt to dislodge our troops, and failing, retreated, followed shortly after by our Cavalry who were out on scouting duty.  The Lincolnites had quite a start of the Cavalry, but were so hotly pursued that they abandoned their knapsacks, haversacks, and all their equipments on the road, and left everything behind except their arms.

            The forces are set down by our informant at 4,500 Lincolnites, (on the authority of one of their wounded,) and 1,200 Confederate troops, including the First Regiment of North Carolina volunteers.  The Infantry did not pursue, and left for Yorktown soon after the fight, where they arrived about midnight.

            The attack of the Edgecombe Rifles, on the 2,000 Lincolnites, is said to have been a gallant affair.  And the manner in which the Richmond Artillery manned their guns won for them well-merited praise.  Indeed the coolness and courage of all the troops, under Col. Hill, is said to have been admirable.  The losses are believed to be accurately reported in the dispatches above published.