June 18, 1861
Page 3
From the Charleston Courier, of South Carolina, we take the following additional particulars:
RICHMOND, June 11—Military affairs are taking an active turn. Dispatches and individuals from the battle of Bethel, state our loss to be but one killed, namely: a soldier named Wyatt, from Richmond, and five wounded. That of the enemy is put down at 20 killed, but the supposition is that many of their dead and wounded were removed from the field. Blood covered their ground in all directions.
One of their officers, Capt. Waldrop, was killed while he was advancing upon our entrenchments. He had mounted the fence when Col. Hill, of the North Carolina Regiment, said: “Boys, there’s your mark; take him down.” In an instant he fell dead. Another, supposed from his dress to be a field officer, was shot from his horse, but carried off the field. After these losses there was great confusion among the enemy, and they retreated towards Hampton, leaving on the ground a considerable ____ of haversacks, guns and revolvers.
The watch and sword of Capt. Waldrop is now in Richmond. Our men behaved bravely. Young Wyatt, who was buried this afternoon with military honors, was shot in the centre of the forehead while advancing with four others to attack fifty.
The North Carolina Regiment and the Richmond howitzer battalion, about thirteen hundred men, were the only ones engaged on our side. The Louisiana Regiment arrived two hours after the battle. They were very mad because they arrived too late.
Maj. Magruder’s forces fell back on Yorktown, expecting an attack from a much larger force.
Five prisoners have been brought here, captured at Fairfax. One is Dr. Richards, of Washington, said to be Lincoln’s physician.
NORFOLK, June 11—The Lincolnites, 4,500 strong, yesterday marched up the peninsula and encountered near Bethel Church, eleven miles beyond Hampton, a portion of the Confederate forces, comprising North Carolina and Virginia troops, under command of Maj. Magruder. The Confederate forces were about 1500 strong.
The conflict was fierce and spirited, though of but short duration. The Lincolnites were routed and fled in disorder towards Hampton.
Mr. Anderson, of Hampton, who was an eyewitness of the affair, estimates the loss of the Lincolnites at about 300 killed and a large number wounded. The Confederate loss is estimated at 17 killed and a few wounded.
It is believed that Col. Duryes, the celebrated former commander of the New York Seventh Regiment, was killed by the Hampton Riflemen, while leading the Zouaves to the charge. It is said he was shot through the heart.
The United states flag at Fortress Monroe is reported at half mast.
[Transcribed by: Sharon Strout]