THE GREAT INSURRECTION: Further Details of the Conflict at Great Bethel; The Reports of the Disaster Greatly Exaggerated; Exploit of the Federal Troops in Western Virginia (6/13/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 6/13/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, June 12.

The one topic of conversation is the disaster at Great Bethel. The details give a gratifying diminution of the number of killed and wounded, but that does not atone for the failure of the expedition. The blame fully rests upon Gen. PIERCE, who, it is established, became confused, and unable to comprehend the situation, and to give the necessary order. Either Col. DURYEE or Col. TOWNSEND, it is commonly remarked, would have produced a different result had they been entrusted with the command.

Lieut. J.H. BUTLER, nephew of Gen. BUTLEE, has arrived here with dispatches to Gen. SCOTT. He states that the rolls were called before he left Fort Monroe, on yesterday at 6 o'clock, and there were but fourteen men killed and forty-five wounded upon our side in all. Two were killed in the unfortunate meeting of the three different Federal detachments, who before daylight came in conflict, mistaking each other for enemies. Twelve were afterwards killed during the fight before the batteries.

There were three batteries opened on our troops from the right, left, and centre of the road to Yorktown. In all, there were about thirty cannon served, many of them being rifle pieces. Our forces had only a light battery of three field-pieces 6-pounders, at first -- and a fourth, which came up during the conflict.

The fight at the batteries commenced at 11 o'clock in the forenoon of Monday, and lasted incessantly till about 2 o'clock. The New-York Zouaves, Col. HAWKINS, fell aside from the road and got in range across one of the batteries, doing good execution for over half an hour, but they got out of ammunition, and were ordered to fall back with the retreat.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3967218/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Insurrection: Further Details of the Conflict at Great Bethel – 2
Purchase of a Flag for the Washington National Monument – 3
The Conflict at Great Bethel, etc. – 3
Military and Naval Movements* – 3-4
Affairs in Western Virginia: Another Brilliant Exploit of Federal Troops – 4
Editorial: The Uses of Adversity – 4
Editorial: Discoveries of a British Correspondent** – 4-5
Affairs at the National Capital: Mr. Seward and the Diplomats – 5

* Company H, Capt. Sheridan Is that Capt. Phil Sheridan? The rank is right.

** Our pal, William Howard Russell

[StAntKnee]

Back in the day, the nyt actually did know what an insurrection was.