Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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I wrote you a letter day before yesterday, but as you will probably hear of the
Engagement between Gen Butlers men and a Camp of Secessionists at Bethel and as
a part of our regt were in the battle and as you perhaps have some fears as to
my being one of the number and perhaps one of the missing, I write to allay any
such fears and to give you something of an account of what was done. Sunday eve
there was Chosen from our regt Five Companies and as they Commenced to the left
and took Evry other Company ours was left to take Care of the place here with
the remaining odd Companies of the whole
five Regts. at 12oc in the
night they left and were to meet with two other regts from the fort at Some
point this side of Bethel and sure enough they did meet them but to the Sorrow
of both, As there was something wrong as concerns the Advance guard and those
Coming from the fort being in the rear they were fired into by the dutch regt
and as both supposed the other the Enemy they fought for some little time but it
being in the night and they unabled to See, not as much harm was done as one
would suppose but some 10 or 12 were Killed before the mistake was discovered.
This firing gave the Enemy at Bethel the alarm and they were well prepared
for
our men when they arrived and as they were pretty well
fortified and had a number of large guns which done some Execution our men were
obliged to retreat and they arrived here about 5oc last Eve Completely tired out
and with the loss of some 50 men on our side and probably as many from the
other, from our regt only Three are missing and it is thought only one is Killed
but nothing is Known where the other Two are but hopes are entertained that they
will be found yet alive Several others were wounded but not bad. One of the
missing is from the Woodstock Co, and Two I think from the Northfield Co. The
Rut and Bur. Co were deployed as scirmishers so were not Exposed
to
the firing. Our side labored under great disadvantage not knowing the Condition
of the Enemy, and perhaps by the poorly laid plans of the officers. I Cannot
give you a Correct acct of this affair in a few words but only write to inform
you as to the Situation of our regt you will hear the particulars through the
papers long before this reaches you.
To day is a very warm day and but little is being done and it seems almost like Sunday in the Camp. My health is very good and has been ever since I left home. And I hope yours will Continue to improve and that I shall find you in perfect health when I get back. I recd your letter from Dorset with the Stamps and am very glad of them. Kiss the Children and Keep up Good Spirits for only 6 weeks have we more to Stay.
V. G. B.