The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-10

The Enquirer publishes letters from bsv-
erIy Randolph county, Va, the first Of which
bears date July I'd, giving some interesting
information OF military movements 10 tha'
sec ,,on We regret to learn that Lieut.. Robt
McClesney, Of the Rackbridge Cavalry, was
killed in a recent skirmish with q large party
Of the enemy, the latter being in ambush
Two-of his men were wounded-one, named
Paxton, severely, and the other, named Ions,
rot dangerously. Lieut.. McC. had but ten
men In his party. The writer proceeds:
think we are upon the eve of fight In this
quarter. Orders were brought mere late last
night for all the troops here. nve companies
Of infantry to march imme1.-.eiy 70 ION the
times this morning. II has just been ascer-
tanned here that the above mentioned order
resulted from the fact that the enemy, twenty
three hundred strong, have, within the last Two
DAYS, taken q position at Buckhannon, about
twenty miles from Camp Garnett, ana pre-
sumo 1t is the object OF Col. Heck to advance
upon them at once, 1t is highly important
that the movement of the enemy IN this quar-
tar should now be promptly checked
Our own people, beyond cur lines of de-
fence, are in n most distressing condition.
The enemy and the tories are committing
daily and hourly depreda tons upon their per-
sons and property, and refugees are daily ar
irving here who are driven from their homes
by the most cruel persec tions-men, women
ed by the internal devils who were once their
neighbors and friends. Two OF the children
of Jonathan Raymond, who had TO flee from
his home some weeks since, and who is now
here, were taken from their homes a few days
SINCE No mans life is safe in the disaffected
counties who does not take the oath to sup
port the Federal Government. Mr. Cressup,
the father in-la OF Major Cowan, of Pres
ton, was forced to take the oath last week.
You have no idea Of the state OF things in
Northwestern Virginia, and they will not i'm
prove until we march into the country ana
drive the enemy out. They must De severely
whipped. There are many tories even In this
county. The late postmaster at this place,
who was concealed in this neighborhood, was
caught and brought in a few nights slnce.-
He was this morning required to enter into
bond with good security for his good b cha
vior and to take the oath to support the Gov
eminent of the Confederate states. He at
first declined to do so, but when he was placed
in charge Of file OF soldiers to take him to
headq uarters, he came into measures by Civ
ing the bond and taking the prescribed oath.
We have several suspected fellows in Jail
here, besides five prisoners of war taken by
the Greenbrier Cavalry, one OF the finest
companies in the service. Captain MOorman
and his men have done the most efficient SER
vice. They have had many skirmishes with
the enemy, thirty of whom they have killed,
without receiving the slightest injury them
selves. Col. Bell, whose command they have
so much annoyed, says they eight like the
devil and run like the wind" / have heard
OF many amusing luCiuoHtS COunoCL Win
their scouting expeditions which would enter
tain you, but the space have left will not adj
nit Of my detailing any OF them in this letter.
Since writing the above, the companies that
left here this morning were intercepted by or
ders from Gen. Garnett, to march irnmedi-
ately to st. George, the county seat of Tucker
county. They Immediately retraced their
steps, and passed through this place about IL
O'Clock this morning, en- route tor St. George.
About2 o'clock, Col. Heck, who it seems was
ignorant of the movements OF the said COM
panies, sent orders to Col. Hansrough who
was in command here, to have them ready to
march to his assistance at moments warn
ing. Two messengers arrived here late this
evening from Hecks camp, who stated that
the enemy are marching upon his position.
A letter dated J uly Sd, says:
Five hundred men, under command of Ma.
jor Taylor, passed through this place this
morning from Laurel Hill, to join Col Heck's
command at Camp dagpett. They left Lau-
rel Hill at two O'Clock this morning upon a
requisition from Col. Heck. who is menaced
with an attack from the enemy from the di-
rection of Buckhannon.
The following is added in a posts cript:
The only news that has come to town since
the writing OF the above is, that n small
scouting party from Laurel Hill were driven
in this morning by the enemy. They were
Immediately reinforced and sent back, and
nothing has been heard from them here since.