BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE'S ORDERS. HEAD-QUARTERS, CAMP HAMILTON, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 12.-A plan of attack to-night is herewith enclosed and forwarded to Col. Duryea, commanding 5th regiment N. Y. State troops, who will act accordingly. Col. Townsend, commanding 3d regiment N. Y. State troops, will march his command in support of Col. Duryea. Col. Carr, commanding 2d regiment New York volunteers, will detach the artillery company of his regiment, with their field-pieces, caissons, and a suitable supply of ammunition, and take their position at the burnt bridge, near Hampton. Cols. Allen, Carr, and McChesney will hold their entire command in readiness, fully prepared to march at a moment's notice. All the troops will be supplied with one day's rations, and each man with twenty rounds of ball cartridge. That no mistake may be made, all the troops, as they charge the enemy, will shout"Boston." Cols. Allen, Carr, Townsend, Duryea, and McChesney will take notice and act accordingly. By command of E. W. PIERCE, Brigadier-General. R. A. PIERCE, Brig.-Major. COL. DURYEA'S REPORT. HEAD-QUARTERS, CAMP HAMILTON, NEAR FORTRESS MONROE, Tuesday, June 11, 1861. SIR-In accordance with your instructions previously received, I proceeded, on the night of the 9th of June, at half-past eleven o'clock P. M., on the march to Bethel, enemies, and that an unfortunate engagement, accompanied with some loss, had taken place. We then by your command returned, and advanced upon Great Bethel, being supported by the Seventh Regiment, under Colonel Bendix, and the Third, under Col. Townsend. Proceeding to within a mile of County Bridge, the column balted, Capts. Kilpatrick and Bartlett having discovered that the enemy were holding a strong position in the battery at the head of the road. We now drew up in line of battle on the right, at the skirts of the woods, and the artillery, two howitzers, and a brass six-pounder, were pushed some thirty rods up the road. At this point Lieut.-Col. Warren rode into the field and assumed his position in the regiment, and, from his previous knowledge of the ground, proved of invaluable assistance. Capts. Winslow, Bartlett, and Kilpatrick having been ordered to advance, under Lieut.-Col. Warren, as skirmishers, the regiment was formed on the left, from whence I led the column in person up the road toward the enemy's battery; but tlie fire proving very destructive, we marched in good order till we were covered by the woods on the right, where we halted for some time for rest, and in order to complete the preparations for charging the batteries in flank. In the mean time, Lieut.-Col. Warren made a reconnoissance and reported a plan of attack. I then led off the troops to the left, in the open field, and also to the right, supported on the right by the German Rifles. After several attempts to charge the batteries, being prevented by the creek, we withdrew, by your command, to the rear, and having collected our killed and wounded, such as we could find, The first two miles to Hampton Bridge, we proceeded leisurely along, waiting for the how-proceeded down the main road. Lieut.-Col. itzer, which should be placed at the head of the advancing column. Arriving at Hampton Creek, much delay was occasioned by the nonarrival of the surf-boats, which were to convey the regiment across the river, and it was ten o'clock before the column was formed, ready to push forward upon the other side. We now advanced rapidly, and soon came up with our two companies of skirmishers, under Captains Bartlett and Kilpatrick, who had been despatched ahead an hour and a half previous. Proceeding steadily on without resting a moment, we came, about four o'clock in the morning, to Little Bethel, a distance of about thirteen miles. At this point we discovered and surprised the picket guard of the enemy, and a mounted officer, with four or five foot, were taken prisoners. While pushing forward towards Big Bethel we suddenly heard a heavy fire of musketry and cannon in our rear, bespeaking a severe engagement. Supposing it to be an attempt of the enemy to cut off our reserve, we immediately countermarched in quick and double-quick time, when, having proceeded about five miles, we came upon two of our regiments, and learned that in the darkness of the night they had mistaken each other for Warren, however, with a small detachment, remained and brought away the body of Lieut. Greble, with the field-piece he was serving with such effect at the time of his death. Our chaplain also remained to care for the wounded, but being cut off by a company of cavalry, he only escaped by taking to the woods, and escaping under cover of the night, We continued our march toward Hampton, and reached the bridge, having only four killed, twelve wounded, and two missing. The following names deserve an honorable mention :-Lieut.-Col. Warren, for his aid in forming the plan of attack, and remaining among the last to bring away a brother officer; also Chaplain Winslow, for his many kind attentions to the wounded; also Captains Bartlett, Kilpatrick and Winslow for the effective manner in which they skirmished before the enemy's heavy fire; also, Lieut. J. Duryen, who led the charge up to the left flank of the batteries; also, Lieuts. York and Cambreling Surgeon Gilbert for performing upon the field of battle successful amputations and for his continued attention to the suffering and wounded, not only on the field, but afterward at the hospital, when almost exhausted; also, Lieut. Gouv. Carr, who was commanding Company|mation I reported to you at once. I was orB, his captain being ill, and Lieut. Geo. Duryea; also, Sergeants Agnes, Onderdonk, Allison, and Corporal Brunner. Yet there was no flinching on the part of any officer or private, and I might mention many more with honor. In closing I cannot but speak of Col. Townsend, of the Third, who, with his whole command, stood up nobly in my support, until compelled to retreat by the terrible fire. Per order, Col. A. DURyea. Lieut. MALLORY, Aide-de-Camp. To Brigadier-Gen. PIERCE. CAPTAIN KILPATRICK'S REPORT. HEAD-QUARTERS, CAMP HAMILTON, SIR:-In accordance with your orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of my command, acting as the Advance Guard, on the evening of the 9th, and a brief account of my command during the engagement on the following day, at the New County Bridge. I left camp with my command at 10 P. M., consisting of fifty men of Company H, one lieutenant, (Cambreling,) four sergeants, and four corporals; Company I, Capt. Bartlett, one lieutenant, (York,) four sergeants, and two corporals crossed the river at Hampton 103 P. M.; reached Newmarket Bridge at 1 A. M., threw out scouts in all directions and waited for the main body, which arrived at 3 A. M. According to your orders, I advanced on the road to New County Bridge, the point where the enemy was reported to have made a stand. A little before daylight, when within a mile and a quarter of the bridge, we discovered the outlying picket guard of the enemy, and were challenged, "Who comes there?" I replied, "Who stands there?" A horseman attempted to leave. Corporal Ellerson, of Company H, sprang in advance, directing him to halt. I, supposing the enemy to be in force, gave the command to fire and charge. In a moment the affair was over, twenty or thirty shots had been given and exchanged; the officer of the guard was captured and disarmed. At this time, hearing firing in the rear, and supposing that our rear guard was attacked, I returned to follow the main body under Col. Duryea, who was advancing by forced march in the direction of the firing, only to discover that by mistake our own forces coming in different directions, and supposing each to be the enemy, had fired several shots before the mistake was discovered. I again advanced, and at 8 A. M. met with and drove in the picket guards of the enemy. I then detached a portion of my command, made an armed reconnoissance, and found the enemy with about from 3,000 to 5,000 men posted in a strong position on the opposite side of the bridge-three earthworks and a masked battery on the right and left; in advance of the stream thirty pieces of artillery and a large force of cavalry, all of which infor dered to advance and engage the enemy in throwing out skirmishers on the right and left of the road leading to the bridge. We rapidly advanced, supported by the Advance Guard of Col. Duryea and three pieces of artillery under Lieut. Greble, of the First Regiment United States Artillery. The enemy soon opened fire on us from the rifled cannon in front. We answered his discharges by a cheer, and continued to advance, clearing all before us, till we reached a point just on the edge of the woods, where the fire was so hot and heavy that we were compelled to halt, and there we remained as directed by Lieut.-Col. Warren, till that gallant officer had made dispositions to turn their flanks. The enemy's fire at this time began to tell upon us with great effect. My men were falling one after another, as was the case of the rest of the command. After remaining in this position about two hours, and our object having been accomplished, numbers of our men being killed and wounded, having received a grape shot through my thigh, which tore off a portion of the rectangle on Col. Duryea's left shoulder, passed through my leg and killed a soldier in the rear, I withdrew my men to the skirts of the wood. We managed to reach Lieut. Greble's battery and bring to his aid several of my men. The charge was then sounded, Lieut. Greble opened fire with grape and canister within two hundred yards of the enemy's lines. Capts. Winslow, Bartlett, and myself charged with our commands in front; Capt. Denike and Lieut. Duryea, (son of Col. Duryea,) and about two hundred of the Troy Rifles upon the right; Col. Townsend with his men to the left. The enemy were forced out of the first battery, all the forces were rapidly advancing, and every thing promised a speedy victory, when we were ordered to fall back. Where this order came from I do not know. We maintained our position till Col. Townsend began to retire with his whole command. Being left thus alone and no prospects of receiving aid, we ordered the men to fall back, which they did, and in good order, forming their line of battle about one hundred and fifty yards in the rear. A few minutes afterwards orders came from Gen. Pierce to cease firing and retire. It gives me great pleasure to mention the gallant conduct of Capt. Bartlett, who came up with the reserve, reinforcing my line, and who was ever at the point of danger, encouraging his men. Lieut. York, in command of my left, and Lieut. Cambreling, in command of my right, displayed the greatest bravery. Lieut. York's sword was broken by a grape shot, and he was slightly wounded in the leg. I shall ever be grateful to Capt. Winslow, who rescued me after our forces had left. He came to my aid, assisted by Sergeants Onderdonk and Agnes, at the last moment, but in time to rescue me from the enemy. I would also favorably mention private Wood, E. W. PIERCE A CONFEDERATE ACCOUNT. who brought me valuable information, and who | to do as I did. Gen. Butler has not intimated fired the first shot; private John Dunn, whose to me as yet that he blames me at all. arm was shattered by a cannon ball, and who In haste, yours, &c., bore himself with the greatest bravery, and who said to Surgeon Gilbert, while amputating his arm, that he could not have lost it in a nobler cause. The whole command, men and officers, did themselves the greatest credit, and I am satisfied can conquer any thing except impossibilities. Respectfully submitted, JUDSON KILPATRICK, Captain, Company H. To Colonel A. DURYEA. COL. ALLEN'S REPORT. CAMP HAMILTON, VIRGINIA, June 11, 1861. MAJOR-GENERAL B. F. BUTLER: SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with orders received from General Pierce on the night of the 9th inst., my command was ordered under arms at eleven P. M., and marched to Hampton Creek to support Colonels Townsend and Duryea. I returned to this camp at four A. M., of the 10th inst., and was again ordered out at six A. M. to proceed forward to Big Bethel, where the enemy was reported to be stationed in force. After a rapid march of twelve miles I reached the ground and found the action going on. Upon reporting to General Pierce, he directed me to proceed to the front and deploy my regiment in front of the battery, which I did, and so remained for one hour and forty minutes under a heavy fire of at least twenty guns, some of them rifled and about four shell guns-the enemy deploying in my front with about 1,200 men and two guns, but made no advance. They, however, threw out two heavy flanking parties on my right and left, the former with two guns, and completely outflanked the entire brigade, at which time General Pierce deemed it proper to retire. From the most reliable information I am certain there were at least four thousand of the enemy on the ground, with constant reinforcements from Yorktown. Very respectfully, WM. H. ALLEN, Colonel First regiment. LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIEROE. To the Editor of the Boston Journal: This I write that the public may not judge me before I have time to be heard. Capt. Haggerty and Major Winthrop, of Gen. Butler's Staff, were with me and advising me THE following account of the battle of Big Bethel, is given by one who participated in the defence: YORKTOWN, June 11, 1881. An engagement lasting four hours took place yesterday (Monday) between five regiments of the troops from Old Point, and 1,100 Confederate troops, consisting of Virginians and North Carolinians under Gen. Magruder, at Bethel Church, York County. Before telling you of the battle, I will give you some circumstances preceding it. About two weeks ago a party of 300 Yankees came up from Hampton and occupied Bethel Church, which position they held a day or two and then retired, leaving written on the walls of the church, several inscriptions, such as "Death to the Traitors,” "Down with the Rebels," &c. To nearly all these the names of the writers were defiantly signed, and all of the penmen signed themselves as from New York, except one, who was from Boston, Mass., U. S. To these excursions into the interior, of which this was the boldest, Gen. Magruder determined to put a stop, and accordingly filled the place after the Yankees left addition to this, he determined to carry the war with a few companies of his own troops. In into the enemy's country, and on Wednesday last Stanard's battery of the Howitzer Battalion was ordered down to the church, where it was soon joined by a portion of Brown's battery of the same corps. The North Carolina Regiment, under Col. Hill, was also there, making in all about 1,100 men and seven howitzer guns. On Saturday last the first excursion of considerable importance was made. A detachment of 200 infantry and a howitzer gun under Major Randolph, and one of 70 infantry and another howitzer under Major Lane, of the North Carolina Regiment, started different routes to cut off a party which had left Hampton. The party was seen and fired at by Major Randolph's detachment, but made such fast time that they escaped. The troops under Major Lane passed within sight of Hampton, and as they turned up the road to return to Bethel, encountered the Yankees, numbering about 90, who were intrenched behind a fence in the field, protected by a high bank. Our advance guard fired on them, and in another moment the North Carolinians were dashing over the fence in regular French (not New York) Zouave style, firing at them in real squirrel-hunting style. The Yankees fled for their lives after firing for about three minutes without effect, leaving behind them three dead and a prisoner. The fellow was a stout, ugly fellow from Troy, N. Y. He said he had nothing against the South, but somebody must be soldiers, and he thought he had as well enlist. None of our men were hurt. This bold excursion, under the very guns of the enemy, deter mined the authorities at Old Point to put a stop | after, their infantry retreated precipitately to it, and clear us out from Bethel. This de- down the road to Hampton. Our cavalry, termination was conveyed to us from persons numbering three companies, went in pursuit, who came from the neighborhood of the enemy. and harassed them down to the edge of HampOn Monday morning 600 infantry and two guns, ton. As they retreated many of the wounded under General Magruder, left the camp and fell along the road and died, and the whole road proceeded towards Hampton, but after advanc- to Hampton was strewn with haversacks, overing a mile or two, received information that the coats, canteens, muskets, &c., which the men Yankees were coming in large force. We then had thrown off in their retreat. After the batretired, and after reaching camp the guns were tle, I visited the position they held. The houses placed in battery and the infantry took their behind which they had been hid had been burnt places behind their breastwork. Everybody by our troops. Around the yard were the dead was cool, and all were anxious to give the in- bodies of the men who had been killed by our vaders a good reception. About 9 o'clock the cannon, mangled in the most frightful manner glittering bayonets of the enemy appeared on by the shells. The uniforms on the bodies were the hill opposite, and above them waved the very different, and many of them are like those Star-Spangled Banner. The moment the head of the Virginia soldiery. A little further on of the column advanced far enough to show we came to the point to which they had carried one or two companies, the Parrott gun of the some of their wounded, who had since died. Howitzer Battery opened on them, throwing The gay-looking uniforms of the New York a shell right into their midst. Their ranks Zouaves contrasted greatly with the paled, fixed broke in confusion, and the column, or as much faces of their dead owners. Going to the swamp of it as we could see, retreated behind two through which they attempted to pass to assmall farm-houses. From their position a fire sault our lines, presented another bloody scene. was opened on us, which was replied to by our Bodies dotted the black morass from one end battery, which commanded the route of their to the other. I saw one boyish, delicate-lookapproach. Our firing was excellent, and the ing fellow lying on the mud, with a bullet-hole shells scattered in all directions when they through his breast. His hand was pressed on burst. They could hardly approach the guns the wound from which his life blood had poured, which they were firing for the shells which and the other was clenched in the grass that came from our battery. Within our encamp- grew near him. Lying on the ground was a ment fell a perfect hail-storm of canister-shot, Testament which had fallen from his pocket, bullets, and balls. Remarkable to say, not one dabbed with blood. On opening the cover I of our men was killed inside of our encampment. found the printed inscription: "Presented to Several horses were slain by the shells and the Defenders of their Country, by the New bullets. Finding that bombardment would not York Bible Society." A United States flag answer, the enemy, about 11 o'clock, tried to was also stamped on the title-page. Among carry the position by assault, but met a terrible the haversacks picked up along the route were repulse at the hands of the infantry as he tried many letters from the Northern States, asking to scale the breast works. The men disregarded if they liked the Southern farms, and if the sometimes the defences erected for them, and, Southern barbarians had been whipped out yet. leaping on the embankment, stood and fired The force of the enemy brought against us was at the Yankees, cutting them down as they 4,000, according to the statement of the six came up. One company of the New York 7th prisoners we took. Ours was 1,100. Their loss Regiment, under Capt. Winthrop, attempted to in killed and wounded must be nearly 200. Our take the redoubt on the left. The marsh they loss is one killed and three wounded. The fatal crossed was strewn with their bodies. Their case was that of a North Carolinian who voluncaptain, a fine-looking man, reached the fence, teered to fire one of the houses behind which and, leaping on a log, waved his sword, crying, they were stationed. He started from the "Come on, boys; one charge, and the day is breastwork to accomplish it, but was shot in ours." The words were his last, for a Carolina the head. He died this morning in the hospital. rifle ended his life the next moment, and his The wounded are Harry Shook, of Richmond, men fled in terror back. At the redoubt on the of Brown's battery, shot in the wrist; John right, a company of about three hundred New Werth, of Richmond, of the same battery, shot York Zouaves charged one of our guns, but in the leg, and Lieut. Hudnall, of the same batcould not stand the fire of the infantry, and tery, shot in the foot. None of the wounds are retreated precipitately. During these charges serious. The Louisiana Regiment arrived about the main body of the enemy on the hill were one hour after the fight was over. They are a attempting to concentrate for a general assault, fine-looking set of fellows. As there was force but the shells from the Howitzer Battery pre- enough at Old Point to send up to Bethel and vented them. As one regiment would give up surround us, we took up the line of march, and the effort, another would be marched to the came up to Yorktown, where we now are. I position, but with no better success, for a shell hear to-day that troops from Old Point aro would scatter them like chaff. The men did not now marching up to attack us, but cannot say seem able to stand fire at all. About one o'clock whether it is so or not. their guns were silenced, and a few moments -Richmond Despatch, (Eztra,) June 12. Doo. 245. FOURTH CONNECTICUT REGIMENT. The following are the officers of the regiment: Colonel, Levi Woodhouse, Hartford; Lieutenant-Colonel, N. L. White, Hamburg; Major, H. W. Berge, Norwich; Adjutant, T. S. Trumbull, Hartford; Quartermaster, G. A. Washburn, Hartford; Surgeon, S. W. Skinner, Windsor Locks; Assistant Surgeon, Edward Bently, Norwich; Chaplain, E. Walker, New Haven; Sergeant Major, E. A. Gillette, Hartford; Quartermaster Sergeant, F. A. Pratt, Hartford; Commissary Sergeant, E. P. Allen, Hartford. Company A, from Hartford-Captain L. G. Hemmingway; 1st Lieutenant, Wni. G. Fitch; 2d Lieutenant, Charles M. Robbins. Company B, from Derby-Captain, E. S. Kellogg; 1st Lieutenant, T. S. Gilbert; 2d Lieutenant, Geo. Ager. Company C, from Suffield-Captain, R. S. Burbank; 1st Lieutenant, W. S. Pomeroy; 2d Lieutenant, Win. Soby. Company D, from! New London-Captain, J. C. Dunford; 1st Lieutenant, G. B. Cook; 2d Lieutenant, T. J. Mills. Company E, from New Haven-Captain, Oscar Dennis; 1st Lieutenant, T. H. Rockwood; 2d Lieutenant, E. F. Hendricks. Company F, from New Haven-Captain, N. S. Hallenbeck; 1st Lieutenant, E. C. Dow; 2d Lieutenant, G. M. Harmon. Company G, from MiddletownCaptain, R. G. Williams; 1st Lieutenant, E. W. Gibbons; 2d Lieutenant, E. C. Beman. Company H, from Middletown-Captain, C. C. Clark; 1st Lieutenant, John A. Turner; 2d Lieutenant, D. R. Hubbard. Company I, from Wolcottville-Captain, S. H. Perkins; 1st Lieutenant, A. F. Brooker; 2d Lieutenant, E. H. Mix. Company K, from Hartford-Captain, D. W. Siprell; 1st Lieutenant, Oliver Burke; 2d Lieutenant, A. S. Dickinson. -N. Y. Tribune, June 12. Doc. 246. JEFFERSON DAVIS' LETTER TO THE MARYLAND COMMISSIONERS. MONTGOMERY, Ala, Saturday, May 25. GENTLEMEN: I receive with pleasure the assurance that the State of Maryland sympathizes with the people of the Confederate States in their determined vindication of the right of self-government, and that the people of Maryland are enlisted with their whole hearts on the side of reconciliation and peace. The people of these Confederate States, notwithstanding their separation from their late sister, have not ceased to feel deep solicitude in her welfare, and to hope that at no distant day that State, whose people, habits, and institutions are so closely related and assimilated with theirs, will seek to unite her fate and fortunes with those of this Confederacy. The government of the Confederate States receives with respect the suggestion of the State of Maryland, that there should be a ces sation of the hostilities now impending until the meeting of Congress in July next, in order that said body may, if possible, arrange for an adjustment of the existing troubles by means of negotiations rather than the sword. But it is at a loss how to reply without a repetition of the language it has used on every possible occasion that has presented itself since the establishment of its independence. In deference to the State of Maryland, however, it again asserts, in the most emphatic terms, that its sincere and earnest desire is for peace, and that while the government would readily entertain any proposition from the gov ernment of the United States, tending to a peaceful solution of the present difficulties, the recent attempts of this government to enter into negotiations with that of the United States were attended with results which forbid any renewal of proposals from it to that government. If any further assurance of the desire of this government for peace were necessary, it would be sufficient to observe that being formed of a confederation of sovereign States, each acting and deciding for itself, the right of every other sovereign State to assume self action and self government is necessarily acknowledged. Hence conquests of other States are wholly inconsistent with the fundamental principles and subversive of the very organization of this government. Its policy cannot but be peacepeace with all nations and people. Very respectfully, JEFFERSON DAVIS. To Messrs. McKaig, Yellott, and Harding, committee of the Maryland Legislature. -Rochester (N. Y.) Daily Union, June 14. Doc. 2461. THE HOME GUARD OF NEW YORK CITY. At a meeting of the committee of the Home Guard, held April 26-Present, A. M. Bininger, in the chair. Judge Edmonds, Col. Wakeman, Col. Tappan, Gen. Tallmadge, Messrs. H. Ketchum, C. Tracy, and F. Hotaling, Committee. Gen. J. A. Dix, Cols. A. Warner, and O. D. F. Grant. Home Guard was passed: The following general order of the JNO. NEWHOUSE, SEO. HOME GUARD, The commandant promulgates the following order, for the organization of the corps: 1. The corps shall be known as the HOME GUARD. 2. It shall be divided into companies of fifty men each, to be selected, as far as prac ticable, from the same vicinity. 3. To each company there shall be a captain, two lieutenants, and four sergeants. 4. The corps shall be armed as follows: The commandant, his staff and the captains, and |