Duke University Libraries Letter from the Conf Pam 12mo #764 LETTEB FROM THE SECRETARY OF HUB. Confederate States of Ami. hi. i, i War Department, Richmond. March 3I ? 1S62. ) To the honorable (he Speaker Of the House of Representatives : Sir : In reply to the resolution of the House of Repre- sentatives, I have the honor to communicate herewith copies of the official reports, on file in this Department, of the bat- tle of Bethel, on the 10th of June, 1*61 : Very respectfully, your ob'dt serv't, GEO. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War. . ^ >V~ ' V \ v >• ■ . W >: >\\ X REPORT OF COT,. J. B, MA'ilM'DER. Headquarters Camp Bethel, Bethel Church, Jane 1()M, 1891. Lieut, Col. 'Garnf.tt : Sir : The enemy, thirty-five hundred (3,500) strong, attacked us at our post, and after a very animated Conflict of two hours and a half was repulsed at all points and totally routed. Four companies of cavalry are now in hot pursuit towards Newport News. 1 cannot speak too highly of the devotion of our troops, all of whom did their duty nobly, and whilst it might appear invidious to -peak particularly of any regiment or corps, where all behaved so well, I am compelled to express my greal appreciation of the skill and gallantry of Major Randolph and his Howitzer Batteries, and Colonel Hill, the officers and men of the North Carolina regiment. As an instance of the latter, I will merely mention that a gun under the gallant Captain Brown of the Howitzer Bat- tery, having been rendered unfit for service by the breaking of a priming wire in the vent, and not being defended l>y infantry from the small number we had at our command, Captain Brown threw it over a precipice, and the work was occupied for a moment by the enemy. Captain Bridget's of the North Carolina Regiment, in the most gallant manner retook it and held it until Captain Drown had replaced and put in position another piece, and then defended it with his infantry in the most gallant manner. Col. Hill's judicious and determined action wan worthy of his ancient glory, and CYloncl Strait. Major Montague, Major Carey. Cap- tains Walker and Atkinson, with every officer and every man under their command, did good service in the front of the fight. The able and efficient manr.er in which Captains Douthatt, Phillips and Jones, of the cavalry performed the duties of infantry, and Lieutenant Chisman of the Wythe Rifles, in protecting the rear of the position, is deserving of high commendation. There were many acts of personal gallantry, some under my own observation, and others which were reported to me, that I -will take occasion to mention in a subsequent commu- nication. At present, I expect another attack, and have no time. I am extremely indebted to the two brothers, Robert H. and Wm. R. \aughan, my Acting Commissary and Quarter- master, for the most gallant and efficient services, no less than to my youthful aids Mr. George A. Magruder, Jr., and Hugh Stannard, who were always in the front of the fight, and upon whom I request the Government to bestow com- missions, as they are desirous of entering the regular ser- vice. In the hurry of this communication I may have omitted 1 to mention many gallant men. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, (Signed,) J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Colonel Commanding. To Col. R. S. Garnett. Number of killed and wounded on our side — 1 killed and 7 v/ounded. Enemy — 10 dead bodies found as reported to me, and perhaps 50 wounded. Three prisoners. Our force, all told, about 1,200 men. Enemy — 3,500 with 18 and 24 pound guns besides light guns. (Signed,) J. B. M. (Official,) John Withers, Assistant Adjutant General. A. & I. G. O., March 31, 1862. REPORT OF COL. J. B. MA.GRUDER. !il LDQUAKTER6 VoRKTOWN. / June It, 1861. J Sir: I had the honor to transmit by Mr. Hugh Stannard, a short account of a battle with the enemy at Bethel Bridge, on the 10th. This was written on the fiehl. and I had not then had time to ascertain the number of killed and wounded on the other side 1 think I reported ten killed and many wounded. 1 have now to report that eighteen dead were found on the field, and I learn Irom reliable i i- r.ens living on the road, thai many dead a< well as ;i great many wounded were carried, in wagons, to Hampton. I think I can safely report their loss al lrom 25 to 3'' killed, and |££) wounded. I understand the enemy acknowledge 17.5 killed and wounded. It is a Bource of great gratification to me to be ahle to Bay that our own loss, as far ;is heard from, only one killed and seven wounded — but too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the heroic soldier whom we [i f. He was one of four who volunteered to set lire to a b in our front which was thought to afford protection to our enemy — and, advancing alone between the two fires, he fell midway, pierced in tin forehead by a musket ball. Henry L. Wyatt is the name of this brave soldier, and devoted patriot. He was a member of the brave and gallant North ( 'arolina Regiment. I omitted to mention in my hurried dispatch of the tenth, the name of Capt. Jones, of Cavalry, who rendered important service before and during the battle. 1 regret to Bay that one of his videttee was cut oil by the enemy, and is presumed to have been taken prisoner. I cannot omit to again bring to the notice of thcGeneral- Commanding-in-Chief, the valuable services and gallant conduct of the First North Carolina Regiment, and Major Randolph of the Howitzer Batteries. These officers were not only prompt and daring in the execution of their duties, but most industrious and energetic in the preparations for the conflict. The firing of the howitzer batteries was as perfect as the bearing of the men, which was entirely what it ought, to have been. Captain Bridgers, of the North Carolina Re- giment re-took, in the most daring manner and at a critical period of the fight, the work from which Captain Brown, of the artillery had withdrawn a disabled gun, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, and which work had been subsequently occupied by the enemy. This work was soon again* occupied with another piece by Captain Brown, who resumed the effective fire. Captain Bridgers deserves the highest praise for this timely act of gallantry. The Louisiana Regiment arrived after the battle was Over, having made a most extraordinary march. They returned to Yorktown the same night, making a distance of 28 miles. It was not thought prudent to leave Yorktown exposed any longer. I, therefore, occupied the ground with cavalry, and marched the remainder of my forces to Yorktown. We took several prisoners, among them some wounded. Our means of transportation were exceedingly limited, but the wounded enemy were carried with our own wounded to farm houses in our rear, where the good people, who have lost almost every thing by this war, and who could see the smoking ruins of their neighbors housos destroyed by the enemy, both in his advance and retreat, received them most kindly and bound up their wounds. I also ordered the hu- mane Captain Brown to bury as many of the enemy's dead as could be found near our camp, which was done. The cavalry pursued the enemy for five miles, but were stopped by the bridge across Back river at New Market, which was destroyed by the flying enemy after crossing it. I am, sir, very respectfully, Y"our obedient servant, (Signed,) J. B. MAGRUDER, Colonel Commanding. (Official,) John Withers, Assistant Adjutant General. A. & I. G. ()., March 33, 1S62. REPORT OF COL. J. B. MAGRUDER. Division Headquarters, ) Yorktown, June 16th, 1861. \ Sir : I have the honor, herewith, to enclose for your in- formation, the reports of Col. D. H. Hill, 1st regiment N. C; Lieut. Col. Stuart, loth Ya. regiment; .Major Ran- dolph, Howitzer Battalion ; Major Montague, Ya. Battalion ; Capt. Worth, Ya. Battalion, of their respective commands, during the action of the 10th instant, at Bethel Church. I am, sir, with great respect, (Signed.) J. B. MAGRUDER, Colonel Commanding. General S. Ccc per, Adjutant and Inspector-Qoieral, Richmond, Fa. Official: John Withers, Assistant Adjutant- General. A. & I. G. 0., March 31, 1862. REPORT OF COL. D. H. HILL. Col. J. B. Magruder, Commander York Line : Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to or- ders from the Colonel commanding, I marched on the 6th instant, with my regiment and four pieces of Major Ran- dolph's battery, from Yorktown, on the Hampton road, to Bethel Church, nine miles from Hampton. We reached there after dark, on a wet night, and slept without tents. Early on the morning of the 7th, I made a reconnoisance of the ground, preparatory to fortifying. I found a branch of Back river on our front, and encircling our right flank ; on our left was a dense and almost impassable wood, except about 150 yards of old field. The breadth of the road, a thick wood and narrow cultivated field, covered our rear. The nature of the ground determined me to make an en- closed work, and I had the invaluable aid of Lieut. Colonel Lee, of my regiment, in its plan and construction. Our position had the inherent defect of being commanded by an immense field immediately in front of it, upon which the masses of the enemy might be readily deployed. Presum- ing that an attempt would be made to carry the bridge, across the stream, a battery was made for its especial pro- tection, and Major Randolph placed his guns so as to sweep all the approaches to it. The occupation of two command- ing eminences beyond the creek, and on our right, would have greatly strengthened our position, but our force was too weak to admit of the occupation of more than one of them. A battery was laid out on it for one of Randolph's howitzers. We had only 25 spades, 6 axes and 3 picks ; but these Avere busily plied all day and night of the 7th, and all day on the 8th. On the afternoon of the 8th, I learned that a marauding party of the enemy was in a few miles of us. I called for a party of 34 men to drive them back. Lieut. Roberts, of F company, of my regiment, promptly 9 responded, and in five minutes his command was en route. I detached Major Randolph, with one howitzer, to join them, and Lieut. Col. Lee, 1st regiment N. C. Volunteers, re- quested, and was granted, permission to take command of the whole. After a march of five miles, they came across the marauders, busy over the spoils of a plundered house. A shell soon put the plunderers to flight, and they were chased over New Market Bridge, where our little force was halted, in consequence of the presence of a considerable body, situated on the other side. Lieut. Col. Lee brought in one prisoner. How many of the enemy was killed and wounded is not known. None of our command was hurt. Soon after Lieut. Col. Lee left, a citizen came dashing in. with the information that 75 marauders were on the Lack river road I called for ('apt. McDowell's company, (E) of the 1st regiment of North Carolina Volunteers, and in three minutes it was in hot pursuit. Lieut. West, of the Howit- zer Battalion, with one piece, was detached to join them, and Major Lane, of my regiment, volunteered to assume command of the whole. After a weary march, tiny encoun- tered, dispersed and chased the wretches over New Market Bridge — this being the second race, on the same day, over the New Market course, in both of which the Yankees reached the goal first. Major Lane brought in one prisoner. Reliable citizens reported that two cart-loads and one lm_ load of wounded were taken into Hampton. We had not a single man killed or wounded. Col. Magruder came up that evening and assumed command. Un Sunday, the 9th, a fresh supply of tools enabled us to put more men to work, and, when not engaged in religious duties, the men worked vigorously on the entrenchments. We were aroused at 3 o'clock on Monday morning, for a general advance upon the enemy, and marched three-and-a- half miles, when we learned that the foe, in large force, was within a few hundred yards of us. We fell back hastily upon our intrenchments, and awaited the arrival of our in- vaders. Lieut. Col. Stuart, of the 3d Virginia regiment, having come with some 180 men, was stationed on tne hill on the extreme right, beyond the creek, and company G, of my regiment, was also thrown over the stream, to protect the howitser under Capt. Brown. Capt. BridgerS, of com- pany A, 1st N. C. regiment, took post in the dense wood beyond and to the left of the road. Major Montague, with three companies of his battalion, was ordered up from the 10 rear, and took post on our right, beginning at the church and extending along the entire front on that side. This fine body of men, and the gallant command of Lieut. Colonel Stuart, worked with great rapidity, and, in an hour, had constructed temporary shelters against the enemy's fire. Just at 9 o'clock A. M., the heavy columns of the enemy were seen approaching rapidly and in good order, but when Randolph opened upon them, at nine and a quarter, their organization was completely broken up. The enemy prompt- ly replied with his artillery, firing briskly but wildly. He made an attempt at deployment on our right of the road, under cover of some houses and a paling. He was, how- ever, promptly driven back by our artillery, a Virginia com- pany, — the " Life Guards" — and companies B and G of my regiment. The enemy attempted no deployment within mus- kttry ranges during the day, except under ccver of woods, fences or paling. Under cover of the trees, he moved a strong column to an old ford, some three-quarters of a mile below, where I had placed a picket of some 41) men. Col. Magru- der sent Capt. Werth's company, of Montague's command, with one howitzer, under Sergeant Crane, to drive back this column, which was done by a single shot from the howitzer. Before this, a priming wire had been broken in the vent of the howitzer commanded by Capt. Brown, and rendered it useless. A force estimated at 1,500 was now attempting to out-flank us, and get in the rear of Lieut. Colonel Stuart's small command ; he was accordingly directed to fall back, and the Avhole of our advanced troops were withdrawn. At this critical moment I directed Lieut. Col. Lee to call Capt. Bridgers out of the swamp, and ordered him to re-occupy the nearest advanced work, and I ordered Capt. Boss, com- pany C, 1st regiment N. C. Volunteers, to the support of Lieut. Col. Stuart. These two captains, with their compa- nies, crossed over to Randolph's battery, under a most heavy fire, in a most gallant manner. As Lieut. Col. Stuart had withdrawn, Capt. Ross was detained at the church, near Randolph's battery. Capt. Bridgers, however, crossed over and drove the Zouaves out of the advanced howitzer battery and re-occupied it. It is impossible to over-estimate this service ; it decided the action in our favor. In obedience to orders from Colonel Magruder, Lieut. Col. Stuart marched back, and, in spite of the presence of a foe ten times his superior in number, resumed, in the most heroic manner, possession of his intrenchments. A fresh howitzer was car- 11 ried across and placed in the battery, and Capt. Avery, of company Virginia Volunteers, Yorktown, Va. ) Colonel John B. Magruder : Sir: I have the honor to r port that I took the position assigned me, in the engagement of the 10th, to the right and in front of the line-of-battle, and completed the slight breastwork erected to protect the command, consisting of three companies of my detachment, commanded by Capts. Walker, Childrey and Charters, numbering, rank and file, 2'.)8 men. The enemy deployed as skirmishers in the orchard, immediately in front and to our left, protected on the left by several frame buildings and sheds; those in front were dis- persed by a fire from the first platoon of Captain Walker's company, but we were annoyed by the fire from behind the buildings, and the battery in the road to our left, but under cover of the breastworks, the men remained unhurt. After the dispersion of the skirmishers, a column of about fifteen hundred appeared in the road immediately in our front, extending from the left to right, with a battery of artillery in front, and advancing a line of skirmishers down the ravine on my right, protected from both view and fire, which fact was reported to me by scouts sent out for the purpose of ob- serving their movements. The battery in front commenced advancing on the left of the ravine and immediately in our front. The battery supporting us on the left had been silenced and withdrawn sometime before this. These facts being communicated to you^in obedience to your orders, I retired in order through the swamp to the 2d position assign- ed me on the hill, on the left of the church. Here, one of my companies was detached, and sent to the support of Capt. Werth, another under Captain Walker was sent to Presson's, near the Warwick and York Bridge. About this time, Capt. Atkinson's company had arrived on the field, and with this and a detachment of the Wythe Rifles, I re-crossed the swamp, advanced and regained my former position. I was 17 supported at this time by a portion of company G, of North Carolina Rifles, and with their aid again drove off some skir- mishers advancing through the orchard. The firing, how- ever, after I regained my position, was irregular on the part of the enemy, and I only permitted some few shots to be fired at a prominent position of their column, and stragglers skulking behind the fences, owing to the enemy being much beyond rifle range. Both officers and men under my command behaved with the greatest coolness throughout the whole engagement and none were injured. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed.) WM. D. STUART, Lieut. Colonel 3rd Ya. Volunteers. (Official,) . John Withers, A. A. General. A. & I G. 0., March SI, 1861. 2 18 REPORT OF MAJOR GEO. W. RANDOLPH. Yorktown, June 12th, 1861. Col. John B. Magruder, Com'g the Division at Yorktoivn : Colonel: I have the honor to report that in the action of the 10th instant, the Howitzer Battalion, under my command, fired eighteen (18) solid shot and eighty (8.)) shells, spheri- cal case and canister, and was injured In the following par- ticulars : A Lieutenant and two privates were wounded, (one se- verely and two slightly,) five (5) horses and three (3) mules were killed or disabled, the Parrott gun (iron rifled,) had its linstock splintered, and a musket ball passed through the felloe of the left wheel, a musket ball pierced the corner plate and a partition of the limber chest of one of the howit- zers and lodged against a shell ; two poles of caissons, one set of swingle bars, one large pointing ring, a chain for a rammer and several priming wires were broken; and one of the howitzers was spiked by the breaking of a priming wire in its vent. I have already made a requisition for ammunition enough to fill all the chests of the battalion, and will submit as soon as practicable requisitions for what ever else may be re- quired. As the position of the pieces was under your own observa- vation, it is only necessary to state that the Parrott gun, and one howitzer were posted in the battery immediately on the right of the road leading to Hampton ; that a howitzer was placed in the battery erected on the right beyond the ravine through which a pass-way was made for the purpose oi with- drawing the piece if necessary ; a howitzer was posted near the bridge ; the rifled howitzer was placed on the left of the road behind the right of a redoubt erected by the North Carolina Regiment ; and a howitzer was posted in the rear of the road leading from the half-way- house; a howitzer having been 19 previously sant to the h.ilf-way-house under the commmdof Lieutenant Moseley. Early in the action the howitzer in the battery on the right having been spiked by the breaking of the priming wire, was withdrawn from its position and the infantry sup- porting it fell hack upon the church, hut it was subsequent- ly replaced by the howitzer of Lieut. Moseley, which arri- ved at a later period of the action. The ford on the left being threatened, the howitzer at the bridge was withdrawn and sent to that point, and the rilled howitzer was withdrawn from the left of the road, and sent to assist in the protection of the rear. The same disposition was subsequently made of the howit- zer at the main battery, situated immediately on the right .n the road. The enemy came in sight on the road leading from Hamp- ton a few minutes before 9 o'clock. A. M.. and their advance guard halted at a house on the road side about (6 10 yards) in front of our main battery. Fire, however, was nol Oj upon them for ten or fifteen minutes, when from the number of bayonets visible in the road, we judged that a heavy col- umn was within range. The action then commenced by a shot from the Parrott gun. aimed by myself, which struck the centre of the road a short distance in front of their column and probably did good execution in its ricochet. At no time could we seethe bodies of the men in the column and our fire was directed by their bayonets; their position being obscured by the shade of the woods on their right and two small houses on their left, and somewhat in advance of them. Our fire was immediately re- turned by a battery near the head of their column, but con- cealed by the woods and the houses so effectually that we only ascertained its position by the Hash of the pieces. The fire was maintained on our side for sometime by the five pieces posted in front of our position ; but as already stated, one of them being spiked and another withdrawn to protect the ford early in the action, the fire was continued with these pieces and at no time did we afterwards have more than three pieces playing upon the enemy. The fire on our part was deliberate and was suspended whenever masses of the enemy were not within range, and the execution was good, as I afterwards ascertained, by a personal inspection of the principal position of the enemy. The cannonade lasted with intervals of suspension from a few minutes before 9 o'clock, 20 A. M., until 1 1-2 o'clock, P. M., and the fact that during this time but ninety-eight (98) shot were fired by us, tends to show that the firing was not too rapid. The earth-works, thrown up by the battalion, were struck several times by the common shot of the enemy, but no in- jury was sustained. They fired upon us with shot, shell, spherical case, canister and grape, from six and twelve pounders, at a distance of about six hundred (600) yards, but the only injury received fr m their artillery was the loss of one mule. We found in front of our main batter}'', in and near the yard of the small house already mentioned, five killed and one mortally wounded by the fire of our artillery. We heard of two others killed at Cramdall's, about a mile from us, and have reason to believe there were many others. The injury done to our artillery was from the fire of mus- ketry on our left flank. The ground on that side, between us and the enemy, sinking down, so as to expose us over the top of the breast-work, erected by the North Carolina Regiment. After some intermission of the assault in front, a heavy column, apparently a reinforcement or reserve, made its ap- pearance on the II: mpton Road, and pressed forward towards the bridge, carrying the United States flag near the head of the column. As the road had been clear for some time, and our flanks and rear had been threatened, the how- itzer in the main battery had been sent to the rear, and our fere did not at first check them, I hurried a howitzer forward from the rear, loaded it with canister, and prepared to sweep the approach to the bridge ; but the fire of the Farrott gun again drove them back. The howitzer, brought from the half- way house by Lieut. Moseley, arriving most opportunely, I carried it to the battery on the right to replace the disabled piece. On getting there, I learned from the infantry that a small house in front was occupied by sharp-shooters, and saw the body of a Carolinian lying thirty yards in front of the battery, who had been killed in a most gallant attempt to burn the house. I opened upon the house with shell, for the purpose of burning it ; and the battery of the enemy, in the Hampton Road — being on a line with it — and, supposing probably that the fire was at them, immediately returned it with solid shot. This disclosed their position, and enabled me to fire at the house and at their battery, at the same time. After 21 an exchange of five or six shots, a shell entered a window of the house, increased the fire, already kindled, until it broke out into a light blaze, and, us I have reason to believe, disabled one of the enemy's pieci 9. This was the Last fired. They soon afterwards retreated, and wc saw no more of them. The act it'n disclosed some serious defects in our ammuni- tion and equipment, for which 1 earnest) immediate remedy. The Bhell of the Parrott gun have a fixed wooden fuse, which cannot be extricated. The being cut for four seconds. The consequence was, thai shells hurst far in the rear of the enemy, and served me Had tln-y been plugged and tincul fuses fi>r- nished, I think that our lire would have been much i effective. The power and precision of the piece, demonstra- ted by the thirty rounds fired from it, render it very de- tiiable that all of its advantages should be made available. I therefore respectfully -bell be b furnished plugged, and the ft uncut. It is reported to me that the Borman fu of the howitzers, were defective — the shells cut for five - onds exploding as s >on as those cut for I The caissons of the Navy Howitzers were made by plac- ing ammunition chests upon the running gear of common wagons, and the play of the front axles is BO limited, that the caisson cannot be turned in the ordinary roads of this part of the country ; and wherever the road is ditched, or the woods impassable, it cannot be reversed. There is ah ) great danger of breaking the poles in turning the cais quickly, as was shown in the action of the lllth instant. I am aware that the expedient of using wagon bodies was re- sorted to in order to save time; but, as it might lead to great disaster, I recommend that their places be supplied as speedily as possible with those made in the usual way. The small size of the limber of the howitzer-. (Navy,) renders it impossible to mount the men, and the pieces can- not move faster than the cannoniers can walk. In a re skirmish with the enemy, in which we pursued them rapidly, we could only carry two men ; and having got far ahead of the others, we had to nnlimber and lire with only two can- noniers at the piece. The piece having only two h or and the carriage being very light, it is hazardous to mount any person on the limber. I therefore recommend that four horses be furnished to 22 each Navy Howitzer — one for the chief, and the other three for the men usually mounted on the limber. We have succeeded, since the action, in unspiking the howitzer disabled by the breaking of the priming wire, but from the inferior metal used in making our priming wires, we shall have to lay them aside altogether, and I must re- quest that better ones be furnished. At present I can say nothing more of the conduct of the officers and men of the battalion, than to express the high gratification afforded me by their courage, coolness and precision, and to ask permis- sion at a future time, to call your attention to individual instances of gallantry and good conduct. I have requested the commandants of companies to furnish me with the names of such non-commissioned officers and privates as they think especially worthy of notice. I am happy at having an opportunity to render my ac- knowledgments to Col. Hill, the Commandant of the North Carolina Regiment, for the useful suggestions which his ex- perience as an artillery officer enabled him to make to me during th.3 action, and to bear testimony to the gallantry and discipline of that portion of his command with which I was associated. The untiring industry of his Regiment in intrenching our position, enabled us to defeat the enemy with a nominal loss on our side. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, (Signed,) GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, Major Commanding the Howitzer Battalion. • (Official copy :) Jxo. Withers, A. A. General. A. & I. G. 0., March 31, '62. 23 REPORT OF MA.IOR E. B. MO>~TA«;rE. On the morning of the 10th of June, my command re- ported to Colonel Magruder at Bethel Church, according to orders. At in the morning information was re- ceived that the enemy in force were advancing upon us. Col. M. immediately ordered me to throw up a redoubt front- ing toward a ravine over which it was supposed the enemy might attempt to turn our right flank. My men worked well and had nearly finished the redoubt, when the first gun from our batteries was fired, which took place at — o'clock, A. M. The enemy returned the fire with spirit, and the shells and shot flew thick and fast about my command, who Were in a peculiarly exposed condition, my redoubt flanking towards and being nearly perpendicular to the points of attack. Fortunately for my command, however, the major part of the enemy's shot had sufficient elevation to pass over our heads, though many shell and solid shot fell within a few feet of our redoubt, one ball passed under my horse between his fore and hinder feet ; several others passed within a few feet of his head, and a few buried themselves in our breast- work. Had the enemy's guns been slightly depressed he must have raked my whole line with his enfilading f ire . A very short time after the firing commenced, I received an order to direct one of my companies, the Chatham Grays, under the command of Captain Werth, to defend a ford one mile below the bridge against the first battalion of the New York Zouave Regiment, and I saw no more of the company until after the fight. About — minutes after the fight, and after Lieut. Colonel Stuart had been compelled to fall back across the ravine and occupy my redoubt, Col. Magruder or- dered me to take my command about 1 1-4 miles around to aid the Wythe Rifles, under the command of Lieut. Chis- man, in guarding a marsh where bethought the enemy were attempting to turn our left flank. I immediately carried my command around to the point indicated at the double quick, joined the rifles, and deployed my whole command as skirmishers, over line of a quarter of a mile, under cover of 24 a dense foliage. We remained in this position until late in the evening, when we were ordered back by Col. Magruder to the church. The enemy did not attempt to cross out- line, and we remained quiet and inactive during the remain- der of the fight. We had no killed or wounded. Every man in my whole command, both officers and men were per- fectly cool, calm and collected during the whole time which we were exposed to the enfilading fire from the enemy's bat- tery, and to the diagonal fire of musketry from his left flank. I have no hesitancy in expressing my gratification at the manner in which my command, the Halifax Light Infantry, Captain Grammer, the Chatham Grays, Captain Werth, and the Old Dominion Rifles, Captain Dickinson, as well as the detachment of the North Carolina Regiment, under my com- mand, conducted themselves during the whole engagement. Respectfully reported, (Signed,) E. B. MONTAGUE, Major Commanding Va. Battalion. To Col. J. B. Magruder, Commanding Division. (Official,) John Withers, A. A. General. A. & I. G. 0., March 31, 1862. 25 REPORT OF CAPTAIN W. II. WERTH. Camp Yorktown, -Tune 13th. 1861. To John B. Magruder, Colonel Command ins: Division : I beg leave to make the following report of the movement of the troops under my command at the bat'.le of Bethel Church, <>n the Kith instant. By the order of E. B. Montague, Major of the Virginia Battalion at Bethel, my company, the Chatham Grays, was placed in the redoubt to tin' rear of the church to defend the right wing in case of a discomfiture. From this point. T was detailed by your orders to take position at the ford on the creek, about one mile below the bridge. I crossed my command over the open field under a shower of shell and canister, which the enemy poured into us from their battery, hut sustained no dam: A portion of the 5th Xew York Zouave Regiment (.3 com- panies) was at this time advancing down the opposite bank of the stream for the purpose of crossing the ford, and thereby turn our left flank. I Baw the movement, and at once took double quick and made the distance of over a mile in about nine minutes, beating the Zouaves and getting in po- sition at the ford in time to cause them to halt. I obstructed the ford in all conceivable ways, by felling trees. &C., and then placed my first platoon on the north west side, under cover of an old mill dam. whilst my second platoon I placed in ambush on the opposite side, where the road leading to the ford could have been raked for 400 yards with deadly effect. At 10 o'clock and 10 minutes, one Naval Howitzer with a detachment from the Howitzer Battalion reported to me for duty. 1 at once placed the gun in a position 12U yards up the creek from my infantry, where I had a beautiful range for grape or canister on a spot in the road on the opposite side of the stream, over which the enemy would of necessi- ty pass in attemptrhg the passage of the ford. From this point I had the pleasure of getting one good shot at the cue- 26 my, winch from the sudden rout of the party at -which it was aimed, must have done much damage. I also threw down all the fences on either side of the creek, and cleared all the undergrowth and large timber so that after the enemy had passed the range of the howitzer from its first position, I could limber up, and in two minutes have it in position to deliver its fire between my two platoons, and immediately upon the ford. At 10 to 11 A. M., the Southern Guard, Captain , reported to me for duty. I at once join- ed this command with my company, all entirely concealed from the enemy. At a little past 11 o'clock, so completely ambuscaded was my entire force, one of the enemy sent down to examine the ford, come up to within 20 yards of my position and did not suspect the presence of any force, until I ordered him to ground arms, which he instantly did, and I had the pleasure of taking him prisoner. He had a fine Minnie musket, accoutrements, and 45 rounds of car- tridges. I placed him under guard, and afterwards forward- ed him to Headquarters. All the men "under my command displayed a wonderful degree of coolness for troops who had never been under fire, and I am assured if we had been so fortunate as to have been attacked by a force five times our strength, that the command would have made a desperate re- sistance. At sun down I was ordered to withdraw. This special report is rendered necessary }jy my being de- tached from Major Montague's Battalion. With high respect, I am sir, yours, &c, W. H. WERTH, Copt. Chatham Grays, Va. Vols. (Official,) John Withers, A. A. Geiural. A. & I. G. 0., March 31, 1862. REPORT OF CArT. W. II. WERTII. Headquarters, ) Yorktown. June 12th. 1 tS6 1 . <> Col. J. B. Magri der, Commanding Division : Sir: I beg leave, very respectfully, to make the following report of my scout : On Sunday afternoon, the 9th of June. 1861, I procured the corn and oats on the Rack river road. as ordered, and had the wagons returning to ramp in two hours and a quar- ter from the receipt of the order. I was then joined by one company of North Carolina infantry, one piece of the how- itzer battery, and a detachment of ('apt. Douthatt's cavalry, as I supposed, to assist mo in making observations near Hampton, on the Back river. I approached New Market Bridge at 5 o'clock P. M., planted the howitzer so as to sweep the bridge, deployed my infantry in open order, on my right flank, in ambush, so that they could rake the r The cavalry I posted in the rear, and threw out videttes on each of my Hanks, to avoid a surprise. In this position, I waited for the appearance of the enemy. I. of course, had no idea of endangering my command by engaging the ene- my, if in force. 1 was too weak. In a few moments alarm guns were fired by a chain of sentinels, extending from New Market Bridge to Fortress Monroe. In a few moments a force advanced from Hampton, (supposed to lie a battalion of infantry, but marching in detached companies.) whilst, at the same time, one or more companies approached by the road leading from Newport News. These forces were each advancing upon New Market Ihidge from opposite directions, thinking I had crossed the bridge with my command. Upon observing their approach with a glass, 1 quietly retired from my position to a point in the rear, three-quarters of a mile. The enemy approached the bridge, and when they suddenly came in sight of each other, they (each mistaking the other 28 for me,) opened fire and kept it up for some five minutes be- fore they discovered their error. I was sitting on my horse, near the bridge, and sow the firing plainly -with my glass, but did not, at the time, know the cause, although I sus- pected it. At dusk I took up the march for Bethel Church, the enemy following me, and the next morning the fight opened. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. II. WERTH. One of the prisoners taken (since dead,) stated that, in this brush, there were 6 killed and 13 wounded; and cor- roborated all the above statements of my report. W. II. WERTH. Official : John Withers Assistant Adjutant- General. A. & I. G. 0., March 31, 1862. 29 REPORT OF TACT. W. II. WERTit. Camp Yorktown, June 12th. 1861. To Col. J. P>. Magruder, Commanding Division : Sir : I beg leave to make tlie following report of a recon- noisance, made by me. of the enemy's position at Newport News, on Friday, 7th June. 1861 : I had under my command 20 picked men and h< rses, from the Old Dominion Dragoons, "together with two men from my company.'' Capt. Philips accompanied me. as did Lieut. Gary and Lieut. Harrison, the latter from the Charles City cavalry. My object was to make a close examination of the enemy's works at Newport News, which I knew would be of service to you in your future movements. 1 did not start with the intention of pressing my men into certain ruin by an attack upon an overwhelming force, but simply to make a reliable reconnoisance. At about 1 o'clock. J had ap- proached the enemy's position to within two miles. I, Capt. Philips, and two men, were in advance of the detachment some 41 tO yards, whilst two men marched the same distance in rear. At this juncture 1 saw a squad of eight men on the bank of James river, and distant from me some distance, pi'obably a mile and a half. I examined them with my glass and knew them to be soldiers. They immediately iled to- wards their fortifications. I saw at once that, if I allowed them to reach the works and give the alarm, that my whole command might be cut off and my reconnoisance broken up, so I at once ordered a forward movement at speed, so that I might cut them off. Our advance party of five being better mounted, and having so much the start, distanced the de- tachment in running the two miles, and placed them proba- bly 600 yards in the rear. When our little advance party had ridden to within 700 yards of Newport News fortifica- tions, I ordered Capt. Philips and the two men of the ad- vance guard to change direction to the right, so that he 30 might get between the eight fugitives and the works, whilst I continued my direct advance upon the works, thinking, if Capt. Philips failed to intercept these men, that J should certainly meet them. After I had approached the fortifica- tions of the enemy to within 400 yards, I turned to the right, (the James river side,) to head the eight men. I had gone in this direction probably two or three hundred yards, when suddenly I came up to within fifty yards of a party of the enemy, engaged in cutting wood. I was then entirely alone. I halted and hid myself behind a thicket, only twenty yards from the [tarty. Here I remained long enough to count the number of men, distinguish the officers, &c. In about three minutes the eight men (whom Capt. Philips had failed to in- tercept,) raised the alarm in the Massachusetts regiment, (which was encamped outside of the works, and not more than 16'! yards from the spot where I stood,) and I at once saw that I must do quickly whatever I intended doing, so I reined my horse back and walked him ouc into the clearing, in plain view of the whole party, and not more than twenty paces from them, picked out the commissioned officer and shot him dead in his tracks. The whole party then yelled " look out. look out for the d d Virginia horsemen, they are down upon us," &c, and at once threw down everything they had, and commenced a retreat at a double quick. I put the spurs to my horse and rode into them at full speed, (giv- ing, at the same time, a loud walla-walla war-whoop,) and then delivered my second shot, Avhich brought another man (a private) dead to the ground. (I shot the first one through the heart, and the last one under the right shoulder-blade.) My horse by this time became totally unmanageable, and my third fire missed its aim but killed a sorrel mule. I fired only these three shots. The party consisted of tw tut y -seven privates of infantry, two privates of artillery, one commis- sioned officer and one non-commissioned officer of infantry — in all thirty-one. Their uniform corresponded with mine — gray cloth with black trimming. Capt. Philips and his party of two men had been joined, in the meantime, by the main party, and I soon crossed over to them. We then gal- loped after the retreating enemy, but saw one or two com- panies from the regiment running to the rescue, which in- duced me to apprehend an attack. In this I was mistaken, for, instead of the party of thirty-one rallying in the two companies, the two companies partook of the panic, and rushed back towards the fortifications, yelling "Virginia 31 horsemen" as long as I staid to hear them. The party of thirty-one had their arms stacked against a tree, whilst four of them were on guard with their muskets. I cannol Bay whether the guard fired or not, I did not pay much attention to them. The two companies which came to the rescue had their muskets, but forgot to fire. On the left wing of the encampment there was a field nattery of two brass 12- pounders, unjjmbered, which were not over 150 or 10<> yards from us. but the gunners had abandoned the battery. If I had not been so entirely at the mercy of the gun- ol the fortifications al Newport News, (only about 600 yards off',) I should certainly have burnt the whole encampment, for it is my firm impression the whole regiment ran into the works and abandoned everything. Capt Philips, I must Bay, proved, upon this occasion, that he was a man of consummate coolness and bravery, and his men arc of that kind of metal which can he relied upon under any and alt circumstances. Lieuts. Cary and Harri- son were prepared for anything, and. I am convinced, would have followed to any place where their horses could have leaped. In making the approach, T went by New Market Bridge and St. (lairs steam mill, hut, upon returning. I took a new road through the woods, fearing the troops from Hampton had formed an ambuscade tor my reception. 1 returned to Bethel by ti o'clock without damage, ami then joined my command, on 1", cosin river. 1 am, sir. yours respectfully. W. H. WERTH, Captain Chatham Grays, Va. 1'ils. Official: John Withers, Assistant Adjutant- G neral. A. & 1. ti. (».. March 31, 18G2. ' , 7, / • * fc i y ^ / / *' / , t. * V peRmalife® pH 8.5