OPERATIONS OF 1861 ABOUT FORT MONROE.

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them. About this time Peirce sent for reenforcements, and the 1st and 2d NewYork regiments, under Colonels Allen and Carr, were hurried forward. Thelatter was ordered to wait orders at New Market Bridge. Advancing throughLittle Bethel, which they found evacuated, to a position near Big Bethel, thetroops under General Peirce found the Confederates occupying a strong posi-tion, well intrenched, with earth-works covering the bridge, which crossed astream running in front of the Confederate position. Colonel J. B. Magruder,formerly an officer in the United States Army , was in command, having, itwas said, about 1800 men under him, but having actually only 300 or 400men and about 5 guns.

Duryea’s Zouaves moved up the road on the left of the woods, and the fightopened by the discharge of a Parrott gun in the Confederate works. Greble,with his battery, consisting of 2 6-pounder guns, took position on the roadwith Bendix’s regiment and 3 companies of Massachusetts troops. Duryeawent through the orchard and cornfield, Townsend on his right and rear. TheConfederate firing was inaccurate for a time, but soon the range was found,and our troops were soon seeking the shelter of the woods, after a vainattempt to drive the enemy from his works. A short time after the troopshad gone to the shelter of the woods, or about 11 o’clock, a. m., I arrived onthe ground with my regiment. Orders to go forward had been received at 7o’clock, and we marched as rapidly as possible; yet the delay incident todragging a gun, by hand, for ten miles, and the time used in getting the gunover the burned bridge at Hampton, with the hot and wearying roads, madean earlier arrival impossible. On approaching, we were surprised and puzzledat the condition of the troops. For at least one mile from the scene of actionthe men and officers were scattered singly and in groups, without form or

THE 4TII MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT FORTIFYING CAMP BUTLER AT NEWPORT NEWS.FROM A SKETCH MADE IN 1861.