The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-27
THE LATE BATTLE At DRANEsvIllE.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.1
I,zstxsa l1a. Il iQa1

Dec T. 1861.
Yesterday morning heavy skrmsh occurred at Dranes
vile, which resulted dsastr0usy tous Averaging party
was sent out by General Stuart consisting Of two
hundred wagons, escorted by the Eleventh Virginia
Colonel Garand the Sixth South Carolina under Lieu
tenant Colonel A. I. Secres the Tenth Alabama Colonel
John H. Forney tho First Kentucky Colonel Tom Taylor
the Sumptcr Flying artillery, Captain Cutts aud detach
ments from Ransoms and Radfords cavalry Our whole
force amounted TO nearly twenty avo hundred They
some distance on the journey Soon after leaving rocket
was seen TO shoot lin the direction of Dranesve which,
as was afterwards ascertaned signal from the
my and indicated that approach known 1t about
fifteen miles from here to Dranesville. When within
short distance OF the place two three regiments
Yankees seen depioycd skirmishers the skirts
Of pine thcke which stretched either side OF the
road General Stuart drew up his force prepared to
mako an attack. On eithor side the woods very
thick, and 1t was difficult 10 make through them but our
force was pushed forward in tho following order:-The
Eleventh Virginia being in the advance, deployed on
the right of the road with the Tenth Alabama while the
Sixth south Carolina and the First Kentucky
to tho left On account Of the dense thckets either
side the artillery was forced TO advance down the road
order TO gain position to mako the guns effective.
AS approached tho Yankees tho Eleventh Virginia
charged them with yell and drove them back their
line within sight Of Dranesville. The enemy seemed
somewhat confused, but formed again line of bat
te The advanced positions were held by the Eleventh
aud the Sixth South Carolina the former the right and
the latter on the left Of the road. While waiting get
sight OF the enemy the Sixth South Carolina drawn
up, and the First Kentucky advanced upon them,
mstaking them for portion OF the enemy, portion OF
the regiment tired without orders killing Ave Of the South
Carolnians The discovered, and Colonel
Taylor advanced cautiously to the left and after
in sight of another regiment but few yards away
10 be sure there was no mistake Colonel Taylor shouted
to the Colonel and asked who he was9
"The Coloae Of the NINTH was the reply
'.Of what Ninth?n
.'Dont shoot'' said the Yankees, eve are friends,
South Caroliniansh
sOn which side are your asked Col. Taylor.
"For the Union,' and Immediately atter the Colonel
gave the command to fire, and voley poured into
tho Kcnuckans from the Ninth infantry regulars United
States Army The engagement then became general and
pu tYup Ettfa a. fC,tr
soon actively engaged. The Yankees had every advan.
tage of position There several hosses along the
Leesburg turnpike and back Of it hill upon which their
battery was placed. Lower down, and opposite the
Eleventh., was another battery placed in position emu
lade the turnpike should enter it, The main battery
Of six guns swept the road upon which advanc-
ing and Kept up an ncssant fire Of grape canister and
spherical case. The accuracy OF their aim renarka
be considering the rapidly with which the guns were
Aired. Capt Cults got three OF his pieces in position and
returned the fire rapidly and successfully.
Meanwhile the enemy advanced several regiments Of
iniahtry and protected by the nature OF the ground,
came within hundred yards Of US, and forming in line
fired Tor time, keeping the full Of Mimic balls
and lnay attempted 10 charge. Three times the ONCE
gave the order and tried to got their forward but
failed They couLl not be pushed into the thicke Soon
ae this the hiring both sides ceased before
great damage was done TO our force For hour
both sides had kept up ncessant firing The wounded
AMI dead lay gu every side ard the regiments be-
ginning TO get scattered.
Iogve IL little In de.ail-as first advance
was marching by tha flank towards the Yankee skrmsh
ers two companies OF the Eleventh Virginia thrown
us anu sent capt. Houston
company charged the Yankees with shout and drove
them in and after the shout taken up by others
aid all advanced within sght Of Drapesyie. Company
of the Elevensh was depioysd on tho right but BY
SINE means got ost, and separated from the reg
ment until the light
When the enemy formed IN line OF BATTLE Colonel For
ney drew the Tenth Alabama also aud prepared TO adj
vance upon them The cOu!ncss and uafg courage dis
Played BY Colonel Forney was observed by every body
lie rode backward aud forward in front Of the line en-
couragipg his men, and in getting all prepared for the
coming struggle. The same be said OF Colonel Gar
land Soon after the ing commenced Colonel Forney
was shot through the right arm, Lieutenant Colonel Mar
tin was Killed aid the command Of tue regiment devov
ed on MAJOR Woodward, who commanded side tho
read, ana he senior captain the other. This eg
lost fnpre than any Other. The sumter tery was IN
the road an had three funs position 0uly pieces
wore out, ard tholt siNy men. captain Cats ana his
mon ougt csayriy, anu i.efed severely. The enemy
batteries play upon hia Cor time and Killed near
all bis horses. destr!c one nmDc- exploded
Twenty-Five horses lct cad upon the field Tho
guns still <eps firing, aud did cool ciou every sbot
scattering the Yankees aad telling upon them sly
He sucoe dea IN breaking their Inc ana Il ng their
shar lshootGrs from the house behind which they
hidden. Whom ordered u la back he pieces taken
to the by hand, with The j tie infantry.
Seeing the wagons satey TO IN re- r Gen. stuart "a ye
orders fan back 10 better position. Thc regiment
marched to the rear IN good order, both sides having