The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-24

December Il, lool. {
An affair with the enemy occurred yester-
day, the 10th inst, at Drainsyilie, that will
probably be magniiied by the enemy as a real
battle. 1t was so in intensity and violence,
and the casualties dem onstrate that it was
a more holly con ties ted field than is the usual
recC I'd Of history.
1t was ordered yesterday morning that four
regiments of intantry-the LIST Kentucky, 9th
South Carolina, II tn Virginia, and 10th Ala
baIna-should report to Gen. Stuart on the
outposts. We rendezyoused IN Cen treviile
at O'Clock in the morning, and under the
genial Influences of brilliant win ter morn
marched eastward towards the Potomac -
On the route We were Joined by Cults bat
terry, and accompanied by cavalry com panies
forming Gen. Stuart's escort.
After long and fatiguiug march, mostly
al quick time, We found ourselves in the Vi
cinIty Of the enemy. The regiments were
ordered forward at double-Quick, and il, a
brief period the discharge OF artillery and
the bursting of bombs gave evidence that we
were III the immediate presence of the Yam
KEGS.
The kentuCkans were sent TO the left, but
had hardly entered the deep and tangled pine
forest before they received Il terrific voiley
of musketry from forces stationed lust at the
crest of q hill, They responded with spirit,
and, l regret to say that the South Caro-
linians We're the recipient IS OF one unfoT tuuate
shot. Col. Taylor quickly restored order, the
line OF battle was reformed and the regiment
marched TO the edge of the woods To the
left we soon discovered two regiments, posted
in most advan tageous position. 1t was i'm
possible to ascertain who they were and Dol.
Taylor questioned them. They responded
eyasiyely, and after some parleying, inc aired
who we were. Capt uesha, of Go &, respond
ed defianuy, "the FIRST Kentucky" We could
hear them repeat the words, and Immediately
they gave us Il fearful response. l have seen
il hail, but never so rapidly as the leaden
messengers of death fell about us A score of
gallant fellows dropped. This was sufficient
TO discomiit the very best soldiers but il had
ia pa la Mt cly;
now fast under fire, than to redo their
energies and infuse into them new spirit
Our first yollev, well directed and carefully
delivered, oil sperSed the tWu Yankee rpgi-
men Is, who lied over the hill They reformed
subsequently, and after that we were subject
to Il cross fire. For forty five minutes we
Kept up the unequal contest. Col. Tnos. H.
Taylor was present here, there and every
where. In his short Jacket he moved about
the field, encouraging his boys, and bravely
confronting death A wound in the left hand
and a shot through the boot top constitutes
his injuries. UnaEimOus honor is given to
Captain 10. Desha, of Company g. He acted
with all the galiantry of his noble nature
standing FAR III front OF his company, and de-
liberateiy firing at the enemy. He finally
fell, shot through the shoulder.
AdJutant Wise lost his horse, shot in seye-
raj places. Major Grassland, on his 'black
steed, ," was moving spectre, urging up the
laggards and encouraging the men. t. w.
+. Jones, Hutchinson, Gilmore, and Major
w. F. oodall displayed distinguished GAL
lantry. speak particularly Of the action of
the LIST. Kentucky, since was with them.
We left the field after a sharp contest, and
only when we were in danger of being tianked
and captur ed by superior numbers. Finding
1t impossible for four regiments to contend
successfully against four brigades, we re-
tired not, however, until We had obtained
over fifty loads OF forage, the object OF our
expedition.
The loss OF the expedition in killed and
wounded is fully one hundred, the LIST Ken
lucky suffering half that amount. The casu-
alties may be summed up thus:
1st Kentucky, 50 killed aud wounded
18th Virginia, IL d"
6hS.U is
10th Alabama, Is f"
Battery, q
Formidable HIS they were in numbers the
enemy dared not leave their secure places II
post, and when We tell back they likewise &C.
Tired.
Last night the 9th Georgia, 18th virginia,
ana other regiments, went to the scene OF the
late battle.
Col. Taylor, of the lst Kentucky, narrowly
rallied his regiment. and left the left wing
under charge of Capt. Desha. Eventually 1t
became necessary TO retire, and while bsenl
at Il distant part OF the Held rallying his men
the regiment fell ba ok. Finding some of the
wounded on the field he directed his atten-
ton to them, and while engaged in this no.
bic charity, had a most fortunate escape from
CAPTURE.