Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-23
The Battle at Drainsville!
A Particular Account


WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-The splendid vic
tory at Dransvie was won under the lead of
Gen Ord, of Gen. McCal's division Gen.
Ord left for Drainsvlle at six o'clock Friday
morning, on foraging expedition. His troops
arrived at Drainsvillo about noon, and re.
mained there until halt past two. About that
time the enemy appeared in force coming from
the direction OF Centervile. Previously to
this, Gen. Ord had placed his forces in position
to repel the anticipated attack.
The firing was first opened by the rebel
battety throwing solid shot, shell, and cannis-
ter. This was Immediately responded to by
Easton's battery, with marked effect. The
infantry on each side soon engaged in conflict
and at times they were net more than sixty
yards apart. After general fighting for about
an hour, shell from our side exploded in the
ammunition of one OF the rebels caissons,
making fearful havoc, three of the rebels hav.
ing their heads completely blown off, and 9th.
ers being terribly mutiated. AT this time tie
enemy wavered, and showed a disposition to
run, when Gen. Ord gave a command to
charge, which was calamity obeyed, and at
once the rebels precipitately fed.
They were pursued Tor upward of a mile,
when Gen. Mccall, arriving on the ground,
ordered retreat to be sounded, and our troops
fell back TO the position just vacated by the
enemy. Twenty OF the wounded rebels re-
ceived surgical treatment from Dr. Lowman
and his assistants having been taken into
houses ior that purpose. They would have
been brought to Gen. McCall's camp had the
ambuances arrived in proper time. All our
killed and wounded were, however, brought
Ot
cured by our troops, such as swords, pistols,
guns, &C. In the pockets OF dead rebels were
found Richmon1 papers of the 1911, but they
contained no items Of particular interest.
Several letters were found on the bodies of
rebel officers, showing an intense hostile feel
ing in the south against ihe north. In one Of
these letters, dated at Centreyille, Dec. l9, ad-
dressed to friend, but partly finished, it says
it was impossible for federals to remain much
longer in their present position; that the effect
of the news from England, and the pressure
of congress, would necessarily compel MeClel-
Ian to advance; and that in such event vie
tory on the part of the conledelates in their
present position, would be certain,
During tie stampede OF the rebels eight of
them were taken prisoners, who were brought
to Washington to-day. They say they left
Centreyille very early Friday morning, in or
der to obtain forage, and unexpectedly met
Win our tEOOpsi NiIU ldu pFOCeeutu On SiIillldr
business They also say that larger number
were killed on the part Of the rebels than we
supposed. Three Of the prisoners, who had
become bewIldered in the retreat, came up to
one Of our regiments, not knowing they were
federal troops, and inquired for the direction
to Centreville but they, instead Of being taken
prisoners, were shown the way to Washington.
This victory, on the part of our troops, is
considered the more brilliant as they had
never before been in any action. They have
been highly complimented beth by Major
General Nc Clellan and General Mccall. Four
companies of the first Pennsylvania cavalry
were also with the brigade, but the condition
of The country was such, being thickly wooded,
that they could not render service to the ex,
tent they desired Gen. Ord, while passing
through the woods, during th= action, lost his
sword, but was Immediately supplied with
another which had been taken from a dead
rebel officer. Col. Tom Taylor, commanding
the Kentucky lrebeI) Rifles, was killed and
his saddle brought away by Col. Easton. Col
Taylor, it will be recollected, occasoned much
excitement at the commencement of the war
by unexpectedly appearing at Arlington with
flag OF truce, and by afterwards being brought
TO headquarters here, blindfolded, aud subse-
quently conveyed outside our lines, the object
OF his mission, an exchange Of prisoners, being
unaccOmplisheQ.