enemy, will shout "Boston." Cols. Allen, Carr, Townsend, Duryea, and McChesney will take notice, and act accordingly. By command of Brigadier-General E. W. PIERCE.

Some notes were added to this order, the principal points of which were as follows:

A regiment or battalion to march from Newport News. A regiment or battalion to march from Camp Hamilton, Duryea's; each to be supported by sufficient reserves under arms in camp, and with advanceguard out on the line of march. Duryea to push out two pickets at 10 P. M.; one also two and a half miles beyond Hampton, on the county road, but not so far as to alarm the enemy. This is important. Second picket half so far as the first. Both pickets to keep as much out of sight as possible. No one whosoever to be allowed to pass through their lines. Persons to be allowed to pass inward towards Hampton, unless it appear they intend to go around about and dodge through the front. At 12 M., (midnight,) Col. Duryea will march his regiment, with twenty rounds of cartridges, on the county road towards Little Bethel. Scows will be provided to ferry them across Hampton Creek. March to be rapid but not hurried. A howitzer with canister and shrapnell to go, and a wagon with planks and materials to repair the New Market bridge. Duryea to have the two hundred rifles. He will pick the men to whom they are to be intrusted. Newport News movement to be made somewhat later, as the distance is less. If we find the enemy and surprise them, we will fire a volley if desirable, not reload, and go ahead with the bayonet. As the attack is to be made by night, or gray of morning, and in two detachments, our people should have some token, say a white rag, or nearest approach to white attainable, on left arm.

Accordingly, on that night, the regiment of New York Zouaves, under Col. Duryea, and the Albany (N. Y.) regiment, under Col. Townsend, were despatched from Fortress Monroe, while the New York Steuben (German) regiment, under Col. Bendix, with detachments from the First Vermont and the Third Massachusetts, were ordered from Newport News. With the division from Fortress Monroe, or Camp Hamilton, as it was called, there was a small detachment of United States Artillery, Lieut. Greble commanding, with three pieces of light artillery.

The Zouaves were ordered to proceed over Hampton Creek at 1 o'clock in the morning, and to march by the road up to New Market Bridge; thence, after crossing, to go by a byroad, which would put them in the rear of the enemy, and between Little Bethel and Great Bethel. This was to be done for the purpose of cutting off the enemy and then to make an attack on Little Bethel. This movement was to be supported by Col. Townsend's regiment with two howitzers, which was to march from Hampton one hour later. The companies of Massachusetts and Vermont were to make a demonstration upon Little Bethel in front, supported by Col. Bendix's regiment with two fieldpieces. The regiments of Cols. Bendix and Townsend were to effect a junction at a fork of the road leading from Hampton to Newport News, about a mile and a half from Little Bethel. Col. Townsend, in his report, thus describes the manner in which this junction was made:

"In obedience to these orders, with the con

certed sign of a white badge upon our left arm, (at midnight,) I marched my regiment to Hamp ton, where the general met the command and accompanied it.

"On approaching a defile through a thick wood, about five or six miles from Hampton, a heavy and well-sustained fire of canister and small-arms was opened upon the regiment while it was marching in a narrow road, upon the flank, in easy step and wholly unsuspicious of any enemy, inasmuch as we were ordered to reënforce Col. Duryea, who had preceded us by some two hours, and who had been ordered to throw out, as he marched, an advance guard two miles from his regiment, and a sustaining force half-way between the advance and the regiment; therefore, had Col. Duryea been obliged to retreat upon us before we reached his locality, we should have heard distant firing, or some of his regiment would have been seen retreating.

"The force which fired upon us was subsequently ascertained to be only the regiment of Col. Bendix, though a portion of the Vermont and Fourth Massachusetts regiments was with it, having come down with two 6-pounder fieldpieces from Newport News to join the column. These regiments took up a masked position in the woods at the commencement of the defile. The result of the fire upon us was two mortally wounded, (one since dead,) three dangerously, and four officers and twenty privates slightly, making a total of twenty-nine. At the commencement of the fire, the general, captain chamberlain, his aide-de-camp, and two mounted howitzers were about 250 paces in advance of the regiment; the fire was opened upon them first by a discharge of small-arms, and immediately followed by a rapidly returned volley upon my regiment and the field-pieces; my men then generally discharged their pieces and jumped from the right to the left of the road, and recommenced loading and firing. In a few minutes, the regiment was reformed in the midst of this heavy fire, and by the general's directions, retired in a thoroughly military manner, and in order to withdraw his supposed enemy from his position. On ascertaining that the enemy were our friends, and on providing for the wounded, we joined Cols. Duryea and Bendix." Col. Duryea, who was on the advance, thus describes his movement:

"At half-past 11 o'clock, at night, we commenced the march, and for the first two miles to Hampton Bridge, proceeded leisurely, waiting for the howitzer which should be placed at the head of the 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 1 o'clock before the column was formed, ready to push forward on the other side. We now advanced rapidly, and soon came up with our two companies of skirmishers, who had been despatched ahead an hour and a half previous. Proceeding steadily on without resting a mo

ment, we came about 4 o'clock in the morning to Little Bethel, a distance of about ten 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 enemies, and an unfortunate engagement, accompanied with some loss, had taken place."

Up to the time of this fatal mistake, the plan had been vigorously, accurately, and successfully carried out. As a precaution, the commanding general had ordered that no attack should be made until the watchword had been shouted by the attacking regiment. Ten of Col. Townsend's regiment were wounded, and one mortally. All hope of surprising the enemy above the camp at Little Bethel was now lost, and it was found, upon marching upon it, to have been vacated, and the cavalry had pressed on towards Great Bethel. Gen. Pierce now consulted with his colonels, and it was concluded to attempt to carry the works of the enemy at Great Bethel, and measures were taken for that purpose. The force proceeded on, and Great Bethel was reached about 10 o'clock. Over a small stream twelve miles from Hampton, a bridge, called County Bridge, crosses on the road to Yorktown. On the opposite side, and to the right, the enemy were posted behind sand batteries. In front of their batteries was a broad open field, and nearer to the bridge than that, and on the right of the advancing force, was a wood, and in front and to the left, a corn-field. Between the wood and the corn-field, ran a road connected with that by which the advance was made. Col. Duryea's regiment now advanced over the fence and into the corn-field, and deployed into an apple orchard on the enemy's right flank. The Albany regiment took a supporting position on the right and rear of Col. Duryea, while it in turn was supported in like manner by Col. Allen's regiment. In the road in front of the enemy's batteries, Lieut. Greble's howitzers were placed, having in their rear Col. Bendix's regiment, which deployed on the right, in the wood, and on the enemy's left flank with three companies of the Massachusetts and Vermont regiments. The fire of the enemy became at once incessant and galling on the Federal right. The howitzers of Lieut. Greble, supported only by the ordinary force of gunners, opened fire with great rapidity and effect, and were steadily advanced to within 200 yards of the enemy's position. Several attempts were now made to charge the batteries, but were unsuccessful, owing to a morass in their front and a deep ditch

or stream requiring ladders to cross it. The troops were, however, gradually gaining ground, although the action had continued nearly two hours and a half, when the order was given by Gen. Pierce to retreat. The howitzers maintained their position until their ammunition began to give out, when Lieut. Greble was struck on the back part of the head by a cannon ball, killing him instantly. The gunner having been disabled, the pieces were withdrawn by a small force under Col. Washburn.

On the right, the Vermont companies had outflanked the enemy, gaining a position in their rear and pouring such a hot fire as to silence the battery there. A statement by one of the Confederate force, says: 66 One company under Capt. Winthrop attempted to take the redoubt on the left. The marsh over which they crossed was strewn with their bodies. Their captain, a fine-looking man, reached the fence and leaping on a log, waved his sword, crying, 'Come on, boys; one charge and the day is ours.' The words were his last, for a Carolina rifle ended his life the next moment, and his men fled." The force retired from the field in order, about half-past 12 o'clock, and the enemy on the same day fell back to Yorktown. The number of Federal troops was between three and four thousand, while that of the enemy was nearly fifteen hundred. The loss on the Federal side was sixteen killed, thirty-four wounded, and five missing. The loss on the Confederate side was small.

A statement was made by an officer of Col. Bendix's regiment, that the latter had not received any intimation that the troops would wear white badges round the arm for the purpose of mutual recognition, and if he had, he would not have been able to distinguish such badge at the distance and in the dusk of the morning. Col. Bendix's command did not wear such badges. The uniform of Col. Townsend's regiment was very similar to that of the enemy. It was also further stated, that when Col. Townsend's troops approached the junction over a slight ridge, they appeared to be a troop of cavalry, because Gen. Pierce and staff and Col. Townsend and staff, in a body, rode in advance of their troops, and without any advance guard thrown out.

The expedition was originally undertaken with the object of cutting off a body of the enemy supposed to be near Newport News, and it was undertaken at night in order to surprise their batteries. This surprise was frustrated by the mistaken engagement between the two regiments. Some of the officers were opposed to an advance after this occurrence.

The bravery of the Federal troops was admitted even by the enemy, and if proper knowledge had been obtained beforehand of the position, and no order for retreat had been given, the attack would have been successful. No investigation has ever been made of the affair, nor has the generalship displayed ever been approved.

The progress of military affairs in the western part of Tennessee had been such that at this time there were established on the Mississippi River five or six batteries of heavy guns, including mortars, columbiads, and 32 and 24pounders, commanding the river from Memphis to the Kentucky line. About fifteen thousand troops were concentrated in West Tennessee under Maj.-Gen. G. J. Pillow, as commanderin-chief, with Brig.-Gens. Cheatham and Sneed. Eight thousand troops of all arms from Mississippi had passed up the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, at Corinth, and at Grand Junction, on the Mississippi Central Railroad, on their way to a rendezvous near the Kentucky line, to act under Maj. Gen. Clark, of Mississippi, in concert with Maj.-Gen. Pillow, of Tennessee. With these troops were some cavalry and two light batteries. At least seventy-five or one hundred heavy guns had been placed in battery, and other large guns were in the State ready for A corps d'armée, under command of Brig.-Gen. Foster, had assembled in Camp Cheatham. Gen. William R. Caswell had assembled, and armed and equipped, a force of considerable strength in East Tennessee, ready to repel any attack in that division of the State.

use.

On June 11th a body of Virginia troops at Mill Creek, a few miles from Romney, Northern Virginia, were surprised by an Indiana regiment under Col. Wallace. The Virginians fled through Romney, on the road to Winchester, abandoning their tents and arms. Some pris oners were taken with a small loss on both sides. Meanwhile active operations commenced in Missouri by the movement of troops from St. Louis to Jefferson City.

On the 13th the steamer Iatan left St. Louis with the second battalion of the First Regiment Missouri volunteers, one section of Totten's Light Artillery, and two companies of regulars, and the steamer J. C. Swan, with the first battalion of the First Regiment, under Col. Blair, and another section of Totten's battery, and a detachment of pioneers, and Gen. Lyon and staff, numbering fifteen hundred men. Horses, wagons, and all necessary camp equipage, ammunition, and provisions for a long march, accompanied the expedition.

On the 15th they arrived at Jefferson City. Five companies of Missouri volunteers, under Lieut.-Col. Andrews, and a company of regular artillery under Capt. Totten, all under Gen. Lyon, disembarked and occupied the city. Gov. Jackson and the officers of the State Government, and many citizens, had left on the 13th. A company of regulars, under Maj. Conant, thoroughly searched the country for contraband articles, and found some wheels and other parts of artillery carriages. No violence was offered, but, on the contrary, the boats containing the Federal troops were received with cheers by a large concourse of the citizens. On the next day Gen. Lyon left for Booneville. Previously, however, he placed Col. Henry

Boernstein, of the Second Missouri volunteers, in command.

Meantime Gov. Jackson, on leaving Jefferson City, summoned the State troops to his support at Booneville, which is situated on the south bank of the Missouri River, and fortyeight miles northwest of Jefferson City. Several companies from the adjacent counties joined him, under Col. Marmaduke.

Leaving Jefferson City on the 16th, Gen. Lyon proceeded on the steamers A. McDowell, Iatan, and City of Louisiana, up the river, and stopped for the night about one mile below Providence. Early in the morning he started with his force, and reached Rochefort before/ six o'clock, when he learned that a small force of the State troops was a few miles below Booneville, and preparing to make a vigorous defence. Proceeding on, they discovered, about six miles from Booneville, on the bluffs, a battery, and also scouts moving. A landing was made about 7 o'clock two miles lower down, on the south bank of the river, and the troops began to move on the river road to Booneville. Following it about a mile and a half to the spot where it begins to ascend the bluffs, several shots announced the driving in of the enemy's pickets. On the summit of the bluffs the enemy were posted. The Federal force advanced and opened the engagement by throwing a few nine-pounder shells, while the infantry filed to the right and left, and commenced a fire of musketry. The enemy stood their ground manfully for a time, then began to retire, and withdrew in order. The Federal force was two thousand; only a small portion of which was engaged, and its loss was two killed and nine wounded. The number of the State troops was small. They admitted ten as killed, and several as having been taken prisoners. Some shoes, guns, blankets, etc., were taken by the Federal troops. This was the first hostile collision in the State like a skirmish or battle between those representing the authority of the United States and any of the officers of the State Government or forces under them. Gen. Lyon, therefore, deemed it necessary to issue the following proclamation:

To the People of Missouri:

BOONEVILLE, June 18, 1861.

Upon leaving St. Louis, in consequence of war made by the Governor of this State against the Government of the United States, because I would not assume on its behalf to relinquish its duties, and abdicate its and cruelty of the secessionists in this State, I pubrights of protecting loyal citizens from the oppression lished an address to the people, in which I declared my intention to use the force under my command for no other purpose than the maintenance of the authority of the General Government, and the protec tion of the rights and property of all law-abiding

citizens.

The State authorities, in violation of an agreement with Gen. Harney on the 2d of May last, had drawn together and organized upon a large scale the means of warfare, and, having made a declaration of war, struction of the railroad and telegraph lines, and prothey abandoned the capital, issued orders for the deceeded to this point to put into execution their hos

ate infantry and cavalry. The Federal loss was five killed, six wounded, and seven missing. The cars were burned, and a considerable quantity of carpenters' tools, blankets, and other baggage was taken by the enemy, who suffered no loss. At the same time the Potomac was crossed at Williamsport by the Union forces under the command of Gen. Patterson, and Piedmont, a village on the Manassas Gap Railroad, sixty-one miles west of Alexandria, was occupied by the enemy. As an offset a small squad of Missouri troops, numbering thirty-five men, was captured at Liberty in that State.

On the 23d, by an order of Gen. J. E. Johnston, in command of the Southern troops, fortysix locomotives and three hundred and five cars of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were gathered at Martinsburg, and with wood from the company's supply, piled around them, set on fire and destroyed. The destruction of property was estimated at $400,000.

On the 26th an attack was made on a small force sent on shore to clear the wood from Mathias Point, on the Potomac, fifty miles below Washington. The party were about to go on board the gunboat Freeborn, when they were attacked. They escaped without loss under the cover of the gun of the Freeborn, but Capt. Ward, her commander, while sighting the gun was wounded, and died a few hours' afterwards. On July 1st, Gen. Morris, commanding the 3d and 4th Ohio regiments, near Buckhannon, on the east fork of the Monongahela River, at tacked a body of Virginia troops under Gen. Henry A. Wise, and routed them with a loss of twenty-three killed and a number taken prisoners. On the same day a skirmish took place at Falling Water, Virginia, and on the next day another at Martinsburg, with a very small loss on either side. On the next day an entire company of Confederates were captured at Nesho in Missouri. This was followed by the seizure of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad by Tennesseans on the 4th, and a battle at Carthage, Missouri, on the 5th, between some of Gen. Lyon's troops under Col. Sigel, assisted by Col. Solomon, and a body of State troops under Gen. Rains and Col. Parsons. The Union loss was thirteen killed and thirty-one wounded. The movement of Gen. Lyon up the Missouri River and through the central part of the State, it now appeared, had the effect to restrain the secessionists and prevent them from organizing a formidable force. Two days later another skirmish occurred at Brier Forks near Carthage, in which neither party gained any special advantage. Meantime a skirmish occurred at Middle York bridge, near Buckhannon, in which a part of a company of the 3d Ohio regiment encountered a body of Virginians unexpectedly, and escaped without serious loss.

On July 8th a communication was brought to President Lincoln from Jefferson Davis by Col. Taylor, relative to prisoners who had been taken with vessels which sailed from Southern ports as privateers. Col. Taylor, in displaying

a flag of truce before the Federal lines in Virginia, opposite Washington, was brought blindfolded into camp, and his letter sent to Lieut.Gen. Scott, who delivered it to the President. Gen. Scott sent back as an answer, that the President would reply. No reply was ever made. The President of the new Confederacy had issued a proclamation as early as April 17th, proposing to grant letters of marque and reprisal on certain conditions. The announcement of this privateering policy caused at the North, where there was so much at risk, a great sensation, after it was seen that the insurrectionists would be successful in obtaining vessels, and were 'determined to do all the injury possible to Northern commerce. President Lincoln, in anticipation of these efforts at privateering, closes his proclamation of April 19, announcing a blockade of Southern ports, with this threat:

And I hereby proclaim and declare that if any person, under the pretended authority of the said States, or under any other pretence, shall molest a vessel of the United States, or the persons or cargo on board of her, such person will be held amenable to the laws of the United States for the prevention and punishment of piracy.

Among the first vessels to take out letters of marque at the South, under the proclamation of Jefferson Davis, was the Petrel, formerly the revenue-cutter Aiken, which had been surrendered to the Confederates in Charleston harbor, and the crew of which had volunteered under the new government. This vessel had run the blockade, but was no sooner at sea, July 28, than she fell in with the United States frigate St. Lawrence, and was captured. The captain of the St. Lawrence observed the Southern vessel in the distance, and immediately hauled down his heavy spars and closed his ports. Then, with the men below, the old frigate looked very much like a large merchant vessel, and the privateer bore down, hoping to take a good prize. The commander of the Petrel, William Perry, of South Carolina, gave the St. Lawrence a round ball over her bows and some canister over the stern, but the frigate sailed on as if trying to get away, when the Petrel gave chase, and when in fair range of the frigate the latter opened her ports and gave the Petrel a compliment of three guns, two of grape and one of round shot. The latter was a 32-pounder, and struck the Petrel amidships, below the water line, and she sunk in a few minutes. Four of the crew were drowned, and the rest, thirty-six in number, were rescued. Some of the men, when fished out of the water, were at a loss to know what had happened to them. The suddenness of the St. Lawrence's reply, the deafening roar of the guns, and the splinters and submerged vessel, were all incidents that happened apparently in a moment.

The Calhoun, a side-wheel steamer of 1,058 tons, was built in New York in 1851. She was 175 feet long, 27 feet wide, 11 feet hold. She was commanded by George N. Hollins, formerly of the United States navy, and carried