Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-06-29
Col. G1eeg,s skirmish.


Col. Gregg's Skirmish.
We take the following account of the affair
at Vienna from tho Richmond Dispatch, of
Wednesday:
"Spencer Hancock, Esq, of Chesterfield
county, who returned to this city yesterday
evening from Fairfax G. H., gives us the fol-
lowing narration of skirmish which took
place about 6 o'clock on Monday evening,
few miles from that locality. Mr.. ii. was
himself n participant in the affair, and his
statement may therefore be relied on:
"On Sunday morning, Col. Gregg received
orders to go out on accommodating cxpcdi-
ton. He took with him 600 South Caroini-
ans, company Of Kcmpcr's artillery, aud two
companies of cavalry, including 45 of Capt.
Balls Chester company and Capt. Terry's
company, of Bedford. He started at O clock,
a. M. They remained Sunday night at place
called Drancsvillc. On Monday morning,
Col Gregg, with detachment of cavalry,
went 45 miles down to the Potomac river, to
make observations. They remained in the
vicinity about an hour, and distinctly saw
tents and mon on the Maryland side They
judged there were about 800 men cncamped
at that point.
Col. Gregg afterwards returned to Drancs
vile, formed his command into column, and
marched down the road to place called vi
emma. Here they remained only long enough
to tear up the track of the Alexandria, Loudon
and Hampshire Raj Dad, and destroy water
probably about all hour-after which
they started to return to Dranesvile The
troops had proceeded about half mile when
tho whistle of the locomotive was heard in
the distance, whcrcupon Col. Gregg ordered
q halt, wheeled his column, and marched rap
ialv hocly to Vioppo Tbo,, b,J ,,,,orl,, 81, -
to place two cannon in position, when a train
of cars, consisting of six flats and baggage
car, came slowly around the curve, pushed by
locomotive Each fiat WAS crowded with
armed men, whose bayoncts glistcncd in the
evening sun, and gave our men an impression
that severe contest was at hand This
however, was not realized, as the result will
show.
just rs the train was about to stop, the
artillery fired well.dircctcd shot from Que of
their guns, which rakcd the IIcssans fore and
aft. CONSERVATION and disnlay were distinct
ly visible, and, after another fire. the enemy
were seen hastily leaving the cars and taking
to the woods The engineer of the train was
smart enough to uncoupc the locomotive and
take the back track for Alexandria, leaving
the entire train to be captured by our troops.
Col Grcgg's infantry and the cavalry pursued
the fugitivcs q short distance through the
woods, but were unable to overtake them A
few of the party exhibited some bravery, and
endcavorcd, by shouts, to rally their flying
comrades, hut it was impossible They then
turned and discharged their pieces at our men
without effect. Six of the enemy were left
dead upon the ground.
cit is believed that this invading party
consisted of regulars and Michigan volunteers.
Col Gregg had received information that a
detachment of fcdcralists came to Vienna on
Sunday evening and brought timber to repair
the bridge, and that they stated willie there
that they would come Oh Monday with men
enough to whip and hang cvcry ID scces-
sionist in the ncghborhood They made
slight mistake in their calculations.
About twelve rounds were fired by our
artillery, but the enemy scattered after the
second. Neither the infantry or cavalry fired
Il shot.
"Our troops burnt the cars and captured
considerable quantity of carpenters tools.
blankets. and other baggage, together with
about 20 muskcts and a number of pistols
Mr. Hancock brings with him MS trophies
L. S. soldiers cap, havclock, thoroughly
saturated with blood, and bayonct.
"Thc fire of our artilcrists was most cffcc-
uNo. oic Hiah was IOunu WITH MS hand SnOt
completely oil, another with his arm shot off
at the shoulder, and other ghastly objects
proved the destructive effect of the shots. 1t
is thought by some that one of the balls broke
the coupling of the locomotive; at all events,
the engine was taken away from the scene of
action with all possible speed.
After the engagement Col. Gregg retired
with his command to Fairfax c. IT. AIR.
Hancock left there at 8 o'clock yesterday
morning. lie requests lis to state that all Of
Capt. Balls command was in good health"