YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA,
June 11, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report that 800 men of my regiment and 360 Virginians were engaged for five and a half hours with four and a half regiments of the enemy at Bethel Church, nine miles from Hampton. The enemy made three distinct and well-sustained charges but were repulsed with heavy loss. Our cavalry pursued them for six miles when their retreat became a total rout. Fearing that reinforcements would be sent up from Fortress Monroe, we fell back at nightfall upon our works at Yorktown. I regret to report the loss of one man killed, Private Henry L. Wyatt, Edgecombe Guards, and seven wounded. The loss of the enemy, by their own confession, was 150, but it may be safely estimated at 250.
Our regiment behaved most gallantly. Not a man shrunk from his post, or showed symptoms of fear.
When more at leisure, I will give you a detailed report of operations.
Our Heavenly Father has most wonderfully interposed to shield our heads in the day of battle. Unto His great name be all the praise for our success.
With great respect,
D. H. HILL,
Colonel, First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers.
Hon. JOHN W. ELLIS,
Governor of North Carolina.
Sources
Hewett, Janet B., Noah Andre Trudeau, and Bryce A, Suderow, eds., Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Pt. I, Vol. 1. Wilmington: Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1994.
Spirit of '61 