150

OPERATIONS OF 1861 ABOUT FORT MONROE.

FORTIFIED CHURCH. CONFEDERATE EARTH -WORKS.

CONFEDERATE EARTH -WORKS AT BIG BETHEL. FROM A SKETCH MADE APRIL 4, 1862.

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•organization, looking far more like men enjoying a huge picnic than soldiersawaiting battle. I reported my regiment to General Peirce, who consented togive me support for a charge 011 the Confederate works. Colonel Townsendpromptly volunteered to support me with his regiment, and departed to makethe necessary preparations. Having placed the 2d New York on the rightand left of the road, I was preparing for the charge, when a message reachedme from General Peirce, stating that, after consultation with the colonel, hefound that troops could not be formed to make the charge effective, and thatduring the consultation an order had been received from General Butlerordering a retreat; therefore, I was commanded to cover the retreat about tocommence. The pursuit made by the Confederates was easily checked bythe 2d New York , and the men reached their camps without further mishap.The only firing occurring after 12 o’clock on that day was from the gunbrought up by my regiment, and in command of Lieutenant Greble. Aboutone dozen shots had been fired when Greble was killed. The gun was aban-doned on the field and Greble’s body was left beside it. I called for volun-teers to rescue the gun, and Captain Wilson, with his company of the 2d NewYork , responded, and in the face of the enemy gallantly rescued the gun,bringing it in with Greble’s body lying on it. Major Winthrop’s death dur-ing the early part of this engagement was a notable event. Although unat-tached to any regiment, he had volunteered for the expedition, and was killed

&J. B. Moore, of Richmond , writes as follows:

“Major Winthrop headed a force, intending to turnour left flank. On our left was a slight eartli-work.About 75 yards in front of this was a rail fence. Ourattention was called by cheering to his advance. Look-ing up, we saw the major and two privates on the fence.His sword was drawn, and he was calling on liis troopsto follow him. Our first volley killed these three; thosefollowing, being protected by the peculiar formation ofthe ground, were not injured, but upon the fall of theirleader they beat a precipitate retreat. I was among

the first to reach these men. All were dead, havingbeen instantly killed. Major Winthrop was shot inthe breast, and the others in the head. About tendays afterward, a flag of truce came up ashing forMajor Winthrop’s body. Having assisted in buryinghim, I was sent with the party to find the body,which was given to his friends. Among the incidentsof this skirmish, none is more indelibly impressedon my mind than the gallant bearing of this unfortu-nate young man, when I first saw him, calling hismen to follow, and confident that he had accomplishedhis object.” Editors.