Battle of Big Bethel
Posted by: 
turnersrugs
N 37° 05.474 W 076° 25.553
18S E 373278 N 4105944
Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W 66.)
Waymark Code: WMGEF2
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 02/22/2013
Views: 5
On 10 June 1861, the first land battle of the Civil War in present-day Virginia took place here at Big Bethel Church. Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, commanding at Fort Monroe, sent converging columns at night from Hampton and Newport News for a dawn attack against Confederate outposts there. The 1,408 Confederates, led by Cols. John B. Magruder and D. H. Hill, fell back to their entrenchments behind Brick Kiln Creek, near the church. Some 4,400 Federals under Brig. Gen. Ebenezer W. Pierce pursued, launched two disjointed attacks, and were repulsed. They then retreated to Fort Monroe, leaving the Confederates in control of most of the Peninsula.
Marker Number: W 66
Marker Title: Battle of Big Bethel
Marker Location: Hampton, Virginia
County or Independent City: Hampton County
Web Site: Not listed
Marker Program Sponsor: Not listed
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