Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-01
The STANDARD.
THE BATTLE OF pRAINsvILLk
GESrKEvrLLE, Va, Dec. %, 1851.

our hottest battles @aS fought and Drainsville Va
be known ~ the scene Of the conflict Dra,nsV"e
il a small village on the Alexandria and LeeSo"rg
turR.ike - miles from Alexandria aud ~ rom
I,eesbafs and contained before the outbreak OF the
war q population Of some two or three hundred III
habitantS bat is now almost entirely deserted there
being only very few human beings lett, ana Ioey
females Just at the east end eF town, the George
town pike intersecS with the Alexandra roau, anu
short distance eastward on the latter comes IN at
= right angle road known as the Ridge Road,
leading from Thorntoh's steam mill to DralnSulie;
it being also the road leading from Centrevllle;
the distance between the two places, about 10 miles
The surface along the line of this road Is somewhat
undulating and is covered for the most part, from
Herndoa, miles South, with dense forests OF pine
and small oaks and at a distance of about 100
yards from the point where the road enters the
turnpike this growth has been cut off on the right
hand side for some distance in that direction but
on the left, the pines reduced to narrow belt,
reach almost to the pike On slight emlnence IN
the angular spot lying between the two turnPikeS'
stands large frame house, and Thorntons Orlck
house, belonging to a wealthy English family, the
same that own the steam mills, with also several
thousand acres of the finest lands throughout the
county there also several out-houScs adjacent,
the whole possessions being well surrounded with
fencing So much for the geographical specifications
On the morning of the Goth December, Cen Stu
art commanding the cavalry of the army oil the 70
for the purpose of approprating the abundant for
age around and about Dransve; and for the pro-
lection of this train of wagons he advanced with
portion of the 9th S. c. Vols, 3l5 men; the llth
Va, $40; 10th Ala, near 500; and the LIST ken-
lucky Vols, about 400, which were supported by
four pieces Of Pennington's (Va) battery, under
the command of Capt. Cults and 100 cavalry from
the LIST n. C. State troops (COl. Ransom,) under
the command of Major Gordon, and 90 from Rad
ford's Va Reg't of cavalry, under Captain PltSer,
making the entire fighting force about LOO
With the cavalry IN advance, Gen. Stuart was pro-
ceedng along the Ridge Road, and when about two
miles from Drainsyille the advance guard reported
the enemy in large fnrce advancing along the same
route He rode forward until the rumbling of their
artillery was distinctly heard but short distance
ahead. A halt was ordered, when the General and
staff, with Major Gordon and one or two others, adj
vanced to point in the road that overlooked It's d.
rection for about half nile-and here a view was
obtained Of long train Of the artillery moving rap
idly in his direction. Immediately Gen. Stuart or
dered the Va cavalry under Capt pitser, and 80 of
the n. c. Regiment, under Capt Siler, to move CT
to our left and protect the wagons sent out IN that
direction and the remainder of the cavalry to
and reconnoitre the woods to our left which were
reported to DO occupied by bodies of the enemy;
and meantime issuing orders also for the infantry
to move forward as rapidly as possible The caval
~ on the right flank, Capt Cheek, under directions
of Maj. Gordon, having accomplished their duty,
and reporting no force of the enemy in that direC-
ton and the infantry now coming up, they were or
dered to advance.
Meanwhile the train of artillery noticed had de-
parted from the Ridge Road and gone ont OF our
far left, and it was supposed were menacing our
wagons, which had now been ordered back out of
danger. Their infantry observed advan-
cling; and the 1lth Va. regiment being in our front
were ordered to charge them, which they did, rush.
ing forward with wild shout, and pouring terri
bic fire Of musketry into the enemys ranks as they
fell rapidly back upon their artillery stationed
an eminence near the two houses, and between the
two turnpikes. They were here hastily formed in
TO line, in two columns, resting behind the fem
ces and houses and the other just in rear Of this
Gen. Stuart now seeing their rapid preparations
for fire from their artillery had the road immedi-
ately cleared and formed the 18th Va. and 10th Ala.
on his right, and the 9th S. c. and Ist Kentucky
the left in line of battle Just at the edge of the
pines, and distant from the enemy only about 100
yards. Our artillery was now brought forward,
and three pieces got in position in the open road,
commenced fire that told rapidly and (earfully on
the enemy, and driving them back in confusion
About the same time entire muSkery opened,
and the firing continued at a terrible rate, al
most necessarily for near two hours, when the enc
my bringing large force against our left flank, a
portion of the Kentucky Reg't commenced falling
back, unable to withstand the exposure to the two
fires. Gen. Stuart now ascertalning that the enc
mics forces were so overwhelming in numbers,
dered troops to fall back to Herndon and there
TO take stand where they could sustain them
selves, the odds and position both being against
them. That portion of our forces which understood
the command, commenced obeying in good order;
but a.few companies mostly from the 10th Ala not
hearing the command, remained upon the field firing
until the enemy had also there commenced retro
grade movement, and thus We fired the last shot Of
the day. &c.
h,kkl .,~l I,oN1
ring from the field Gen. Stuart fell back to Hern
don, Maj. Gordon covering the retreat with hand
full of cavalry, the remainder having been ordered
to protect the wagon train. The Yankees finally
peTceiving movement returned and took pos
session Of the battlefield, which they kept until
during the night when they fell back upon their
main body at Arlington Their loss is reported to
have been misunderstanding to their state
ment, much more than ours. 1t is said they hauled
off 20 wagon loads of their dead during the day,
and 40 loads of their wounded. Gen. Stuart, on
the day after the battle with large force advanced
and took possession of the town and field, and re-
turned in the evening without encountering any of
the enemy. His estimate of their loss, gathered
from all means within his power, it is said Is about
800 killed and wounded. Our loss was about 40
killed and 100 wounded, ameng whom were several
valuable officers. Several were missing the morn
ing after the fight but as they have been returning
since it is to be hoped that prisoners have fallen
into the eneDys hands, The strength of the ene-
my is variousy estimated at from 10 to 10 thousand
infantry, about 400 cavalry and some % pieces of
artillery. Their artillery could not be considered
well managed, but very few of our men suffering
from its efects-the most Of the damage being done
by their small arms. Nearly all of their she'll and
large shot fell into the pines in the rear of our lines
The roar of the musketry during the action was
terrific, Gen. Stuart was heard to remark after the
battle that there was nothing to compare with it
the great battle of Manassas Plains and that it was
q harder fought field than the memorable one
the 2lst July Our soldiery eyinced unparalleled
galantry and courage hroug the entire action,
excepting portion of the KY. regiment, which had
lost their officers and found difficulty in rallying to
other regiments This regiment also very unfortu-
nately mstoOk the South Carolinians for~the enc
my, and fired into them, killing or at their first
IRE. Their commander, Col Tom. Taylor, on one
occasion after the firing had ceased, found himself
almost entirely surrounded hv the enenr hut h