The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-23
suFpHEsDsTows, jefferson Co, Va, ,

A'ttf . Tx u q " =, .tthEISoH 10 ' 1t.
October 18th. ISL.
On last Wednesday, the lGth inst, lne
Loud mOutEed cannon echoed and reyerbera-
ted throughout this section OF The Coufede-
racy, plainly telling us that grim yisaged
war had commenced hostile operations along
the border.
Sonle 900 of the enemy had crossed the
Potomac On scOWsj at narpers Ferry,
marched CIT on the CharlestOWD turnpike,
about three miles, and entreuched them selves
on Allstddts hill. Col. Ashby being ap-
priced of the fact, marched with some 5y0
men, principally Virginia militia, and two
pieces OF aIlliery, and TOOK position on
hill. having fuu view OF the enemy About
sunrise Gu the 18th, the gallant Colonel
opened the bali hy letting loose his
dogs OF war one - FOUNDER, which
played havoc with Yankee tortiHca-
tons. The fight lasted about SIX hours
The militia charged the enemy breast
works and succeeded III driving hiIn from lis
position, which was soon occupied Jy tie
Coutedefates The E'ederals retreated down
'tto the ferry, Our cavalry body pursuing
them far as Bolivar. Meantime thew
We're heavily reinforced. Sauiis-S c0iHIan be-
ing near at hand, with every facility for
bringing his pigs 10 MARKET they rallied
and renewed the attack, and saccptdsti in
gaining their original position on AilStadts
hill. This could nave been prevented. bat
for an unfortunate and unexpected casualty
happening 10 the 3I-pound c3unon, which
WAS disabled and rendered useless bv the
breaking OF IN aXistree 0f the carriIge-
With The loss OF the use OF the @4-ponnder,
and the ODDS being too great 10 contend
against, Cur men deemed 1t prudent to tall
back To their original position.
The enemy threw shot and shell from the
Mirvland Heights with remarkable precision;
but Iuistooi the position OF the Confrdcrates
aud oyersbot them.
The less Is variously estimated out from
the best ia formation l can gather, the Fen
eral loss may De safely set down hi 1ttv killed,
eighty WOUndet l. and TWO prisoners CCutsd-
crate loss trihng one killed sud ten wound
ed. y variety OF rumors are ;fying abDut vi In
regard 70 the laortUdry results and il is dllii-
cUlt to obtain the correct igurps. But the
above is rs near correct As any.
o. The l7tk the Yankees evacuated the Fer
~. perhaps deenIng discretion ihe batter
parl OF valor.' however, before they left il
WAS necessary 10 "shoW their hand they
set ire 10 i small roopdry.
tu the LouuCun Heights Gen. Evans was
stationed with Two regiments 70 assist col
Ashoy. How much assistance WIS afforded
from the Loudoun side cannot be aseerlained
rs II Is thought his guns didn't reach far
enough. OF one thing We are certain tteu
EYaass men fired into Il train Of ears aIIesi
with Federal achievements, and knocked il
al 10 pieces the result OF which will per
haps never be made known
Too much praise cannot be awarded 70 the
Virginia militia fer the bravery they dis
played upon the battle field. They actually
fought like veterans; charged the enetov :
IoCtIiCations, and drove MIN Oft | ann told
10y IN eye witness, that after All Of oar men
hdC IalieE back the militia etiii held the Yam
kee entertainments: and as tIryady4uced to re-
take il otiT militia slowly retired to The brow
OF the hill, taking the Fneu. S ire. aud S. ocd
deiiantiy Haunting the "Sfars and Bars IN
III ais face.
At this point, on the other side OF the river,
the lst Maryland regiment of Pug UgIies
has "VunoSed the rancho but Is raplaced by
the 18th Indiana regiment, Col LINK Before
the Maryland e-G2ilovses LETT, they had
to perform an act Of daring - n rcmem-
# hg Ep.
discharged their cannon some two or three
times, and sent one bail into Il private resi-
dence on this tide. Fortunately, the family
escaped unlpIured.
MeRf FEDERAL oHrRAaEs
Since the above was written, have learned
mat the \ ankee mercenarips fabout POO made
an iucuTsion into this county, about four
miles from this place, 1T a point called Ter
Tdiun Neck, and committed unheayti Of
dtpredations. About daylight this morning
they visited the residence of Mr. Henry
Shepherd, an extensive farmer AID wealthy
citizen, and piundered at wholesale. They
stopped a. nothing. Besides rifliGg tie house
OF nearly all tae hed-elotEes, breaking ile
furniture robbing the smoke house of all the
bacon and lard, and stealing al the pouItry
they "eaptifed' and took away with them
seven negroes, eight mules, twenty two h,saG
OF tatteuing hogs, aud took two white persons
prisoners. Mr.. Shepherd 5 loss amonnts 10
from $4,000 TO s. ,0oo Al the time none OF the
family were 1t home.
l suppose these depredations are 10 make
mp tor the recent ing glorious defeat and ret rat
at Harpers Ferry. PnroMAc.
p S.-The negroes have since returned -
After taking them over into camp they were
told that they were now frseaaea and If they
consented 10 stay would be treated and
protected us such. They We're allowed TO
choose for themselves, and when the question
was put to them whether they would stay
aud BE- All freemen, or return TO their com
iortable quarters, they readily enosa The hat
ter WAata striking commentary upon Ere
monts Missouri proclamation. z.