The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-08-24
FROM THE BORDER.
Northern OutraR.s-skirmisb at Harp'r's
Ferry, &c.


fcoRREaPoxDEECB or THE RICHMOND DisPArCH.1
SURFHEspsrows VA, Aug u, 1851
Probably II letter from this per tion of the
Confederate States--the Northern border
may not prove unlu teres ting OF distasteful 20
your numerous readers. To keep the "pow-
rrs that be- at Richmond informed OF the
trapspirinPs on the border, may be considered
rs much duty as useful to cur security and
protection.
For some time past there has bean stationed
on the opposite Csak OF the Potomac an en-
cam pnert OF haSsac husetts soldiers--far what
purpose "oePonent saith not" unlers IL he
Tor our annoyance, which they haze been
guilty OF to almost an unbsarabia degree.
Abcut week ago a company Of them visited
TINS town, Guder the cover Of dar hnes=--about
hat time OF night when grave-y yards yawn
ard thieves and burglars most do prowl
arQund-Rr6 proceeded to the residence OF
The Hon. Alex Il. Boteler, surrounded the
0Cuse, and, CT cOurse, cGpftrtd him Mr.. Is,
you will rscolect, was a member OF the red
eEai Congress, and did mcch 20 settle our ma
irIel trouble. bu' finding all his lauda0ie
efforts uEayaiIIrg, like Il genuine Nirginian,
be took Il position with hls LatlVe StAte, ana
voted for :he Ordinance. he Is AZ present
member elect Of he General Assembly. When
captured L. was t"kcn to heaGq CarteTs,
and finding nothing against him WAC released.
lis escape from ''dnIaAce vile was Nailed
oy our Citizens with feelings OF iaeHabie
pleasure.
But the end i not yet; it WAS but begin
riLg Of & series OF Gu Jrages, continuation Of
which We experienced last nigh. The mid
night torch GAS beer called INTO requlsition
and appIiei. The lurIi glare ut the deTa-s la t.
Ing element, rs II rejected Oh "tbe heavens
above and the earth beneath" bn: too plainly
,old tina, the rnidMIg rs marauders were ct their
CIaboIiCal WO!k. Last night these fellows
sgatn crossed over he river aad set fire to the
!aTg" hOurirS mill known Is The Big MIL, -
The properly Of the Hon, A Il. BOteier. This
was a i.ne properly md very valuable, al
though at present was idle. Connected with
Il was cement mill, which was also destroy
80. The fire was discovered 40 ut two
O'clock, but the Mill could not pc saved. The
mills were about a mile from town. just at
tSe river 10rd.Eg and directly opposite the
eH5my's camp. The fJIdiIg is guarded by
Northern soldiers.
~ are 1T Il loss 70 know why they should
thus invade Virginia ant dest troy property. No
other reason can be assigned toT il but E. desire
for nothing but petty spite Aud our people
are 2Yprehensiye that these heathenish out
rageS Will Continue. From our town the
white tents Of The eucam pment,
Where the foes haughty host
Is dgus 4 sIieJce -el,he.,
are plainly y-s.ble-:yd the prospect Is by no
means pleasing
i sehsien,,n from tho g sea. Of war has
| ja-t brought us The cheerful intelligence from
| itarper's Ferry that Capt. Asu0v, with about
700 gevGlry, ed 9 little skirTniSh YESTERDAY
! Sunday At that roman tic and noted sn0t =
Gen. Banks has bseu, for some time. OcCupy-
ILg the Ferry, ana holding tne citiz-ns s., fey-
| rortm. Capt. Ashby lighted unexpeyte5lv on
| them yesterday, and made them take wafer
| drove them ont OF the state killing TWO aDd
| woundlng several, the gallant Captain OF. !y
| losing one horse, which WAS shot from under
him. Thanks to our brave soldiers .Ts ff4rson
| county j. a. las. rid OF the .earniuts." Not
| the sole Of m INVADERS foot ncn presses liar
sacred soil, and i Ii small force j. hff,t long,
| ,he river, sc VIII never he gaia troah!ad
| with Them.
Since these Massaa hus1,ts lneAiais hav4
been stationed opposite our town. quite i
number OF 0pr citizens haze hee.. IN constant
dread and alarm. Many of them are afraid
| 10 stay at home with their fsIuIiics At njFht
our Venerable and efficient Captain Smash
VINO acted Is ConmlssaTy for our brave
! boys when stationed here, has been me-
Raced, aud he is COM elleo every Hght. from
motives CT personal safety, to seek refuge il
the country with has various friends This
Is. indeed, hard, and should De reneliad as
soon IS pUSs hls.
The Chess reake ard OHIO Canal f Oxen
and seems 10 De doing Gland cetcr Business ="
ua1@2cruLE provisions to the Federal CAPT
til.
Yesterday TWO deseriers from Banks
column made their appearance n town, look
ing horribly bFd, almost destitute CT cloth
ing, and said they WANTED to 70 home -
some Of the citizen riTRed them up and
SEM them 70 Martins5u.K, where : BODY
OF Confederate troops GIe ,tati9Aet
p,T0y.C