Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-15
Burning of Hampton.


The entire village of Hampton from end
to end across the river is wrapped in flames
L am writing this dispatch by the light of the
conflagration-the sight presented is splendid
and awful. A high wind from the South
sweeps over the burning village, and carries
sheets of flame up into the sky, lighting the
country for miles around. The rebels have
done their incendary work of arson well, and
IN very short time, smoullering heaps of
ruins will mark the site Of this beautiful vii.
lage.
Atabout halfpast eleven clock company
of rebels fired by sections across upon our
picket OF the 10th regiment on this side of
the river Our pickets quickly dropped on
their faces, and thus the bullets of the enemy
pass over them, injuring no one-the fence
by my side is riddled with their balls. Our
men returned fire with rifles, and it is be-
lieved shot down quite number of the foe,
who used only muskets. A few moments
atterward, throughout the whole village,
flames were discovered in nearly every house,
which rapidly spread and are still increasing.
l see now and then one of the rebels in the
glare, passing from house to house, though
most OF them keep out of sight. Only one
building of any size will be destroyed, and
that is the Military Academy.
The alarm was instantly given in Camp,
and an attack from the direction of Fox Hill
was anticipated. 1t was known yesterday
from a deserter taken to the Fortress that
1000 Rebels were this side of Newmarket
Bridge, and large number of troops had
ventured into the village. Col. Weber 5
Regiment was immediately supplied with
extra ammunition and sent out in all direc-
tions as pickets, patrols and skirmishers.
They have done their work bravely and eff
GENTLY. Two companies are now here watch
ing tor Rebels and guarding the bridge from
being fred. ..l
The bridge will be saved. 1t is dismantled
about rod from the farther shore, and ter
minutes there in barricade of boards, be-
hind which a portion of our picket was sta
toned when fired on by the enemy. Can't.
Strouple, of the Goth Regiment, has lust
started across to the barricade with six men,
in the face of flames and foe. He is anx.
iousy watched from this side, as it is expect
ed he will be fired upon. The light is as
bright as day, and the figures of men are re-
fected in the water They have reached the
barricade in safety.
Later.--3 A. MA company of our men
have just returned from the village, where
the fire is still burning turiously. They re-
port that fire had just been lighted in the
basement of the Military Academy, and as
! write itbegins to glare through the windows
of the building. The floors are covered with
camphene or burning fluid, and holes are
hacked through them to afford free draft
to the flames.
Signaling between the Fortress and New
port News has been going on for some time.
An attack is anticipated there. B
STILL LATER. Il have just returned from
another visit to Hampton. 1t presents
most desolate and sickening appearance. 1t
is forest of standing chimneys, dismanted
brick walls, scorched and w6ithered trees
and smouldering ruins. The fate of six white
families, who persisted in remaining when
the place was evacuated, short time ago
by our troops, is unknown. 7fSl
No rebels are now to be seen. Newport
News has not yet been attacked an attack,
however, is expected tonight. Our guard
near the Seminary were fired upon at one
O'Clock this morning, by rebels across the