Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-08

4
red at or near Drainesville, Va; bat the ae-
counts then to hand were SO conflicting and
unreliable, that we declined noticing the mat
ter in that issue. Since then other accounts
are to hand, though still conflicting, from
which we extract the following:
C~ENrREvILLE, Dec. 21.-Yesterday norm
ing a heavy skIT1nish occurred at Evansville,
which resulted dissstrously to US. Averaging
party was sent out by Gen. Stuart of about
two hundred wagons escorted by the 18th
Virginia, COL Garland; the 9th South Cars
DINA, under Lieut.. Col A. j. Secrest; the
10th Alabama, Col John H. Forney !, the /
1st Kentucky, Col Tom Taylor the Sumter
Flying Artillery, Capt. Cults and, detaehe
ments from Ransom's and RadfoTds cavalry.
Our whole force amounted to nearly twenty.
five hundred men. They started off early in
the morning, and before day were some dis
lance on the journey. Soon after leaving, a
rocket was seen to shoot up in the direction
of Drainsville, which, as was afterwards as
certained, was a signal from the enemy, and
indicated that our approach was known. 1t
is about fifteen miles from here to Drains
vile. When within d short distance of the
place, two or three regiments of yankees
were seen deployed as skirmisherS in the
skirts Of a pine thicket. which stretched out
on either side of the road. General Stuart
drew up his force aud prepared to make an
attack. On either side the woods were very
thick, and it was difficult to make through
them, but our force was pushed forward.
As we approached the Yankees the 18th
Virginia charged them with a yell, and drove
them back to their line within sight of Drains
i vile. The enemy seemed somewhat cenfus-
ed, but soon formed again in line of battle
The advanced positions were held by the 18th
and the 9th South Carolina, the former on the
right and the latter on the left Of the road.
While waiting to get sight of the enemy, the
9th South Carolina was drawn up and the
list Kentucky advanced upon them, and mis-
taking them for the enemy, a portion of the
regiment fired without orders, killing five of
the South Carolinians. The error was soon
discovered, and Col. Taylor advanced eau
tiously to the left, and soon after came in
sight of another regiment but a few yards
ava To be sure there was no mistake,
Col. Taylor shouted to the Colonel, and ask
ed who he was
The Colonel Of the 9th, was the reply.
sol what 9thw as
"Don't shoot" said the Yankees, We are
friends, South Carolinians."
ION which side are you ?" asked Colonel
Taylor. 4
aFor the Union" and Immediately after
the Colonel gave the command TO fire, and a
yolley was poured into the Kentuckians from
the 9th Infantry, regulars, u. S. A.. The
engagement then became general ,st-a
The enemy advanced several regiments OF
infantry, and protected by the nature of the
J ground, came within a hundred yards of US,
and forming in line, fred for some time, keep
ing the air full of minnie balls, and finally
attempted to charge. Three times the off
GERS gave the order and tried to get their men
forward, but failed. They could not be push
ed into the thicket. Soon after this
the firing on both sides ceased, but not be-
fore great damage was done to our force
For over an hour both sides had kept an in
cessant firing. The wounded and dead lay on
every side, and the regiments were beginning
to get scattered. .seaf-a #al V8 ,
Seeing the wagons safely to the rear, Gen.
Stuart gave orders to fail back to a better
~position. The regiment marched to the rear
ia good order, both sides having ceased fire
ing. Taking his force to the rear, where the
ground offered better positions, Gen. Stuart
once more drew up his force and awaited the
enemy, but he had enough Of it and was no
disposed to give battle. Thus ended the
battle of Drainsville, which, although disaS-
trous to US, was more so to the enemy, if re-
cent reports are true. 1t is believed there
were seven regiments of infantry, one O
cavalry, and eight pieces of light artillery
against us. {
The writer gives a list Of the killed anc
wounded, which We sum up as the following
list. Ha. -. hs3
18th Virginia Regimcnt.-Killed 5, woun-
ded 6, missing 2.
10th Alabama.-Killed, Lieut.. Col. j. B
Martin, | sergeant, l corporal, and II pri-
Yates. Wounded, Col. Forney, Capt. For
ney, 2 corporals, and 43 priyates.
9th South Carolina.-killed, LIST Lieut.. F
E. Moore; 9 sergeants, 2 corporals, and Il
privates. Wounded.-MaJ Woodward, Capt
Harden, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 80 pri-
Yates.
1st Kentucky. KILLED, 1 corporal. Woun
ded, Capt. Desha, 4 corporals and % pri-
Yates. Missing 5. T.
Total--Killed Al, wounded 141. missing Z
This morning another force was sent GU
under Gen. Stuart. He took possession 0
the battlefield of the day previous, and still
holds it. He reports this evening the loss O
the enemy much more heavy than ours.
Gen. Stuarts force is stated at $500. tn
yankees at 5000. The eremy had 6Rcannon
we4. Ha S3ue saHs*
Gen. Longstreet's division had moved u
to offer the enemy battle, but during ii
night they had abandoned Drainsville an
crossed the river.
Gen. S. was not strong enough to make
charge, and at long range the Yankees hs
| every advantage. When our forces will
! drew, the enemy did not follow. Their 10
is supposed to be about one hundred and
f ty killed and wounded. rr. 4
rTLo -naLoo Con Malall ronnrtc his IL