Thursday, June 9, 2011

Butler to Pierce: Attack Big Bethel

Big BethelImage via Wikipedia
Big Bethel, Virginia
  • At Fortress Monroe, Virginia, Gen. Benjamin Butler orders fellow Massachusetts politician, Brigadier General Ebenezer Pierce to advance and drive off the Confederates encamped around Bethel Church (Big Bethel), Virginia. The raw Federal recruits numbering seven regiments of 2500 men move out of Newport News and Fortress Monroe tonight. Instead of marching calmly and quietly towards Big Bethel (Bethel Church), the effects of adrenaline, confusion, and lack of discipline cause the troops to jump at every shadow and sound in the night woods, resulting in injuries from incidents of firing on their own men./1861

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