It was against Col. DURYEE's advice that Gen. PEIRCE ordered the column still to advance after this untoward occurrence. It was 4 P.M. yesterday when the first of our troops reached camp again. During the evening they kept pouring in, bringing with them their dead and wounded comrades. It is to be hoped that the batteries of the enemy will now be taken at all hazards. The Zouaves are complimented on all sides for their gallant behavior under fire. They marched altogether, thirty-five miles yesterday ten miles further than any of the other troops, besides sustaining the brunt of the battle. G.C. If any inquire about your correspondent, tell them that he led his company, the captain being sick, and escaped without a scratch. CAMP HAMILTON NEAR HAMPTON VA., Wednesday, June 12, 1861. The hurried account which I sent you yesterday, fatigued with much marching and a battle, of the affair at County Bridge, was correct, I believe, in every detail, whatever its shortcomings in the matter of elegance of diction. The orders of the Commander of the expedition were obeyed with alacrity by those over whom he was placed, and if success did not crown our efforts, it was hot the fault of those who did the fighting. As far as my observation went, all of our troops who were exposed to the fire of the enemy, behaved themselves gallantly. Col. TOWNSEND, in front of his regiment, (the New-York Third,) rode about fearlessly, on horseback, and the question with those who saw him, was not as to the depth of his courage, but as to the propriety of his offering himself so plainly as a target for the enemy's riflemen. The conduct of Lieut. GREBLE, of the regular service, who laid down his life at his post, is warmly commended on every side. He had change of the three pieces of artillery which accompanied our column, and with them he did excellent service. They were placed directly opposite to the enemy's first battery, and drew the heaviest fire. The wonder is how he and the few men he had with him stood there so long. The latter one by one fell, killed or wounded, and were carried away, and their places filled by others. At each discharge from the batteries they would fall behind their guns, and then rise to load and fire again. At length, just as the ammunition was giving out, a cannon ball struck his head, shattering the back part of it to atoms, and killing him instantly. The blow left his face unmaried. His body was laid out in ice, yesterday, at the Fort, and was sent to Philadelphia to-day. Lieut. GREBLE was in the First Artillery, a corps of which the Army is proud. Of what Col. DURYEE's Zouaves accomplished, Gen. BUTLER's official report will fully inform you. Private WOOD, of Company H, probably saved the life of Col. TOWNSEND, shouting dead one of the enemy's riflemen, whose piece was aimed at the officer's breast. In the accompanying official report by Col. DURYEE to Gen. PIERCE, full credit is given to all of his officers who distinguished themselves, but he neglects to speak of his own services and those of his aid-de-camp, Lieut. WILLIAM H. MALLORY. Col. DURYEE led his command in the advance, running ahead of the front rank, and throughout the conflict he was constantly present at the post of danger. At the close of the engagement his son, Lieut. DURYEE, was leading a charge against the enemy's right flank, and Col. DURYEE, advancing with, him, was shouting, "Come on, boys -- we've got 'em now!" when Col. TOWNSEND's regiment, marching on the extreme left, was ordered to retreat, and the Zouaves thus left without support were compelled to fall back. It seems that two companies of Col. TOWNSEND's regiment had been sent around to get a little to the rear of the batteries. Col. TOWNSEND seeing them on the enemy's right, mistook them for the enemy, and gave the order to retreat. There were only three companies of the Zouaves engaged at this point. Lieut. MALLORY repeatedly led across the open field detached companies sent to sustain those which were advancing against the batteries. He was knocked down by a splinter on the field, out arose with a slight bruise. When the final order for a retreat was given, the soldiers were formed behind the wood, and none of them dreamed that they were about to retire. All thought that their lines were formed for a fresh movement in advance, or on the flanks of the enemy, and tired though they were, their disappointment was great. Then came the most toilsome part of the march. The excitement of an impending conflict was removed, and the fatigue of the preceding night and day made itself fully felt. Adjutant HAMBLIN to-day presented the following report of the present condition of Col. DURYEE's regiment to Gen. BUTLER: FIFTH REGIMENT, NEW-YORK STATE VOLUNTEERS, CAMP HAMILTON, Wednesday, June 12, 1861 Aggregate of officers and men present............ 792 Aggregate of officers and men absent............. 11 Aggregate of officers and men sick................ 43 846 ALLAN DODD, of Company I, reported as missing, returned June 12; and BENJ. F. HOPPER, Sergeant, Company C, reported missing, is said to be dead. Col. DURYEE's Official Report to the Brigadier-General, of the conduct of officers and men under his command at the action near County Bridge, is as follows: HEAD-QUARTERS, CAMP HAMILTON, near FORTRESS MONROE, Tuesday, June 11, 1861. SIR: In accordance with your instructions previously received, I proceeded, on the night of the 9th of June, at 11 1/2 o'clock P.M., on the march to Bethel. The first two miles to Hampton Bridge we proceeded leisurely along, waiting for the howitzer, which should be placed at the head of the advancing column. Arriving at Hampton Creek, much delay war occasioned by the non arrival of the the anti-boats, which were to convey the Regiment across the river, and it was 10 o'clock before the column was formed, ready to push forward upon the other side. We now advanced rapidly, and soon came up with our two companies of skirmishers, under Captains BARTLETT and KILPATRICK, who had been dispatched ahead as hour and a half previous. Proceeding steadily on without testing a moment, we came, about 4 o'clock in the morning, to Little Bethel, a distance of about 13 miles. As this point we discovered and surprised the picket guard of the enemy, and a mounted officer, with four or five foot, were taken prisoners. While pushing forward towards Big Bethel, we suddenly heard a heavy fire of musketry and cannon in our rear, bespeaking a severe engagement. Supposing it to be an attempt of the enemy to cut off our reserve, we immediately counter-marched in quick and double quick time, when, having proceeded about five miles, we came upon two of our resigments, and learned that in the darkness of the night they had mistaken each other for enemies, and that an unfortunate engagement, accompanied with some loss, had taken place. We then, by your command, returned and advanced upon Great Bethel, being supported by the Seventh Regiment, under Col. BENDIX, and the Third, under Col., TOWNSEND. Proceeding to within a mile of County Bridge, the column halted, Capts. KILPATRICK and BARTLETT having discovered that the enemy were holding a strong position in battery at the head of the road. We now drew up in line of battle on the right at the skirts of the woods, and the artillery, two howitzers, and a brass six-pounder, was pushed some thirty rods up the road. At this point Lieut. Col. WARREN rode into the field and assumed his position in the regiment, and, from his previous knowledge of the ground, proved of invaluable assistance. Capts. WINSLOW, BARTLETT and KILPATRICK having been ordered to advance, under Lieut.-Col. WARREN, as skirmishers, the regiment was formed on the left, from whence I led the column in person up the road towards the enemy's battery, but the fire proving very destructive, we marched in good order, till we were covered by the woods on the right where we halted for some time for rest and in order to complete the preparations for charging the batteries in flank. In the meantime, Lieut. Col. WARREN made a reconnoissance, and reported a plan of attack. I then led off the troops to the left, in the open field, and also to the right, supported on the right by the German Rifles. After several attempts to charge the batteries, being prevented by the creek, we withdrew, by your command, to the rear, and having collected out killed and wounded, such as we could find proceeded down the south road. Lieut.-Col. WARDEN however, with a small detachment remain of and brought away the body of Lieut. GREBLE with the field piece he was serving with such effect at the time of his death. Our Chaplain also remained to care for the wounded, but being cut off by a company of cavalry he only escaped by taking in the woods, and escaping under cover of the night. We continued our march toward Hampton, and reached the bridge, having only four killed, twelve wounded, and two missing. The following names deserve an honorable mention; Lieut. Colonel WARREN, for his aid in forming the plan of attack, and remaining among the last to bring away a brother officer; also, [???] WISSLOW, for his many kind attentions to the wounded; also Capts. BARTLETT, KILPATRICK, and WISSLOW for the effective manner in which they skirmished before the enemy's heavy fire; also, Lieut. J. DURYEE who led the charge up to the left flank of the batteries, also, Lieuts. YORK and CAMBERLING; Surgeon GILBERT for peperforming noon on the field of battle successful amputations, and for his continued attention to the suffering and wounded, not only on the field, but after war's at the hospital, watch almost exhausted; also, Lieut. GOUV CARR, who was commanding Company B, his Captain being ill, and Leut. GEO. DURYEE; also, Sergeants [???], ONDERDONK, ALLISON, and Corporal BRUNNER. Yet there was no flinching on the part of any officer or private, and I might mention many more with honor. In closing I cannot but speak of Col. TOWNSEND, of the Third, who, with his whole command, stood up nobly in my support, until compelled to retreat by the terrible fire. Per order, Col. A. DURYEE. Lieut. MALLORY, Aid-de-Camp. To Brigadier Gen. PEIRCE. Capts. BARTLETT, WINSLOW and KILPATRICK are complimented on every side for fearless and gallant conduct under fire. The Surgeon, Dr. ROFUS H. GILBERT, worsed like a hero on the battle-field and off it. Dr. B. ELLIS MARTIN, Assistant Surgeon, has also gained Esculopian laprets. Yesterday, one of the dead of the Fifth Regiment was buried with military honors. His name was TRIBOT, and he was attached to Company A. The Zouaves, without arms, marched in reverse order behind the baggage wagon which contained the body of the deceased, the band playing a dirge. He was buried in a field near the camp, where a grave had been dug that was large enough for two. There was a place in it for another who was still living, but whose death was expected hourly. His grave was dug and his coffin prepared for him before he was dead! To-day the funeral ceremonies of Lieut. GREBLE take place at the fortress. The father, and other relatives of this brave, young officer, were on their way to visit him, with various presents for him, when at Baltimore the shocking news reached them that he was no more. I have it, to-day, from the highest source of information this military district, that the Secessionists have abandoned their works at County Bridge, carrying their guns with them, and destroying everything that they could not remove Dr. MARTIN and Capt. DAVIES started at 4 o'clock this morning, on horseback, with a flag of truce, on a mission to the camp of the enemy, for the purpose of endeavoring to regain possession of the wounded and dead that were left behind. What are to be the future movements of the army, under Gen. BUTLER, of course is known to him only and to his advisers. We may march at any moment against the enemy, and we may remain as we are until our forces are increased. The soldiers are burning for an opportunity to have a right in a fair held with the enemy, who, they declare -- seemingly not without cause -- dare not make a stand except behind intrenchments, and with every advantage on their own side. Capt. J. HOWARD WALLS, the Quartermaster of Col. DURYEE's regiment, has sold to the Government the State uniforms which were furnished to the command. It is designed to procure in their stead a second lot of Zouave uniforms; the first suits are already somewhat tarnished by the wear and tear of actual service. The uniform has given the regiment a name, and in it the men declare that they will give their enemies cause to continue to call them "Red Devils." G.C. FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT. FORTRESS MONROE, Va., June 11, 1861. Old Point Comfort, Fortress Monroe and parts adjacent, have been full of all sorts of rumors since last evening, respecting the preliminary engagement between the United States troops and the secession forces which took place, yesterday, at a place called "Bethel." The troops engaged were portions of the following regiments: DURYEE's Zouaves, Troy Regiment, Steuben Rifles, Col. BENDIX; Albany Regiment; First N.Y. Volunteers, Col. ALLEN; and parts of the Fourth Massachusetts and First Vermont. The movement was under the direction of Brig.-Gen. PIERCE, of Massachusetts. The first part of the work was well done, between 11 o'clock at night and daylight in the morning, by a detachment of the Naval Brigade. The manner in which they handled their boats, receiving and landing the regiments committed to their care, elicited the warm personal commendation of Gen. BUTLER, who was soon on the ground. From this point of landing, the troops marched toward Yorktown, suffering some detention and annoyance from the well-directed but mistaken fire of the Steuben rifles. These German soldiers are among our best, and at the proper time and place will be found powerful in defence of the Union. The regiments detailed were soon marched, one by one, into the open and marshy field in front of the secession works at Bethel. Here, under a raking fire, they behaved with great bravery. Many instances of valor occurred worthy of honorable mention. Among others, Col. TOWNSEND, of the Album Regiment, dashed on horseback to within a few feet of the battery, in the midst of a shower of bullets, to ascertain the extent of the works and the best manner of assailing them. For hours together our men withstood the deadly fire of these intrenchments, behind which was a superior body of secession troops, entirely protected, wielding several large guns, among them rifled cannon, and commanded by experienced officers who had recently deserted from the United States Army. At the close of two hours' hard fighting the Union forces withdrew in good order, to recruit, reinforce, arm with large ordnance, and renew the attack. In addition to the list of the killed and wounded which I sent you yesterday, are the following: JOSEPH H. PRESTON Company A, Seventh, New-York Regiment; and stroke -- doing well. ADOPLH VINCENDES, Company A, Fifth New York Regiment; shot in chest. GEORGE BOYCE, Company H, Third New-York. Regiment; shot through left axilla. JOSEPH GUGER, Compay I, Fifth New-York Regiment; shot through both scapolars. WM. HUEL, Company D, Third New-York Regiment; shot in wrist. FRANCIS L. SOUTHER, Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, Company H; shot through arms and chest. Died at 8:40 P.M., June 10 to Hospital. JOHN DUMM, Fifth New-York Regiment, Company H; compound wound of right elbow; arm amputated. Doing well. JOSEPH KNOWLES, in Company E; right forearm amputated. CONRAD GARTH. Seventh New York Regiment, Company K; wound in chest. JOHN CONWAY, Fifth New-York Regiment; shot in shin. One instance of personal courage is worthy of especial mention. A lieutenant of the regulars was shot down by a ball from the secession batteries, just as he was giving orders to the Union men by the side of a piece of artillery. Confusion followed, and a disposition was shown to desert the gun, when a band of our men rushed back, placed the bleeding corpse on the carriage, and bore off the piece in triumph from the well-contested field. It will be a satisfaction to all concerned that the very best arrangements are made for the sick and wounded at the hospital in Fortress Monroe, and also at the Volunteer Hospital near the main entrance. The principal part of the large Hygeia Hotel, floating the bay and opening on pleasant yards has been lifted up for the occasion. The best medical attendance is constantly provided, and good nursing. The chaplin of the hospital for the volunteers, Rev. C.W. DANISON, lodges in the building, and is [???] devoted to the work of administering consolation to all, from whatever section and of whatever name. I shall have other particulars to-morrow. NEPTUNE.

​

​