The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-06

Another version or that Terrific Fight Be-
tween Thirteen OF Cslenel Wallacs's Men
aud Seventy.five Csnrederate TrssDs.
A correspondent in Winchester, Virgins,
has forwarded the Baltimore American the
following account Of the skirmi.h between
the pickets of the Federal and Confederate
armies near Romney. 1t is an extract from q
letter addressed TO Hon. J. NJ. Mason. at VIM
| chester, by a gentleman in Col. MCDONALD
regiment, dated
HEADQUARTERS, 4 A. M,
RoMNEY, June u, 1851.
Yesterday Wednesday, Richard Ashby left
with q portion of his comnane, twenty one
strong, from Captain T. Ashby,s company, on
a scouting expedition to Maryland divloins
his command into three bodies. He, with sax
men, meta strong force tforty) OF OnlIeo
States dragons (regulars,) and made run
ming fight with them, killing a number OF the
enemy Himself and r three n o. n.s fea s" thai
they have been killed, as their horses were leo
oil by the enemy. 80
Captain Ashby, who was also scouting with
six men, hearing Of the fight, Immediately
| started in pursuit to rescue or avenge his bro.
ther. On his way he was joined by four OF his
men, making eleven in all. They came upon tha
enemy, 40 strong, hid in gully filled with
brushwood upon the opposite side of the river
near Patterson's Greek bridge. The enemy
commenced firing upon him when he ordered
| Il charge, fording the river i'll the face Of de-
| structive fire, and charging upon and COM
pletely routing them, they leaving all their
horses behind them. Ashbys loss was two
killed and two wounded and four horses
killed. His horse was shot under him. Their
| loss was eight or ten killed. Ashby secured
enough horses, one OF which was his brother s,
| to mount his men, but owing to his small force
| was compelled toleave the others behind.
Dick Ashby was terribly cut up. one of his
eyes being shot out and his head and neck
badly cut by balls. Upon hearing of the figh
| started
asking the chaplain to accompany me, whic h
| he willingly did. We went 10 Ashbv's camp,
| located upon the farm OF Col. Washing ton,
six miles from here, but finding that the enc
| my were in force between US and the wound
| ed men, that they (the enemy had returned,
| and that Captain Ashby had gone in pursuit
| of them with his whole force and Captain
Myers company, we returned to this place,
and are now waiting to lend our aid at the
weakest point. 1t is reported that a strong
| force OF the enemy is approaching upon
| ly ready for them, but having reliable
| informa ton that the enemy, one hundred
| strong, are posted in Paddytown, We have
| sent g. force TO surprise them; the expedition
| left before retur ed from Ashby's camp, or
| l would have joined them. Dick Ashby is a
noble man, anu has endeared himself to us all
and / sincerely trust that he made good his
| escape by abandoning his horse and taking 10
the woods. II he has been murdered, / pray
| that the Almighty will nerve my arm TO
| avenge him 4 hundred fold. Captain Ashby
| had over forty shots fired at him, and his
! escape was miraculous. His horse was shot
| twice, and killed under him, and he wound
ed slightly in the leg, which has not proven ted
| him from pursuing the enemy. l received
| the above account from two OF Ashby's own
| men who were in the fight. AS their accounts
| tally suppose them to be correct. This is a
| fighting regiment, the chaplain and surgeon
| fighting first and praying and doctering after
| wards. Our Col. is eminently qualified for
| the kind of work which we have before US,
| and is beyond doubt a lighting man. i have
| become very much attached TO him. Please
| excuse this hurried and disconuec ted account
| l have been compelled to write hurriedly as
| will be called upon in two hours, and having
| had no sleep last night, and but two hours
| the night before, wish to refresh myself be-
| fore entering upon duties of ! know not what
character-probably that Of fighting and
| dressing wounds.