The Battle of Big Bethel, also known as the Battle of Bethel Church or Great Bethel, took place on June 10, 1861, in Tabb and Hampton, Virginia, as part of the blockade of Chesapeake Bay during the American Civil War. It was arguably the first Civil War land battle in the Eastern Theater, and the first organized land battle of the entire war.[1]Maj. Gen.Benjamin F. Butler, based at Fort Monroe, sent converging columns from Hampton and Newport News against advanced Confederate outposts at Little and Big Bethel. The Confederates abandoned Little Bethel and fell back to their entrenchments behind Brick Kiln Creek, a tributary of Back Creek, near Big Bethel Church. The Federals, under immediate command of Brig. Gen.Ebenezer Pierce, pursued, attacked frontally along the road, and were repulsed. Crossing downstream, the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry attempted to turn the Confederate left flank, but were also repulsed. NovelistTheodore Winthrop, on the staff of Gen. Pierce, was killed. The disorganized Union forces retired, returning to Hampton and Newport News. The Confederates suffered 1 killed, 7 wounded.
U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901.
Notes
^ The National Park Service battle description claims "This was the first land battle in Virginia." However, the other contender for first battle in the East, Philippi, on June 3, whether considered a skirmish or a full battle, was also fought in Virginia, considering the state boundaries in 1861.
