The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20

filed with sptler stores, aud after all our men had
helped themselves, the balance of the goods were
burned. When our force frst reached The Depot,
there was train about to leave. The engineer
jumped off and run away, aud one Of our men took
his place, shut the throttle valve and stopped the
train. Sixty cars and two locomotives were then
fred and destroyed.
After tho complete destruction of all public
property about the place, and after each man had
supplied himself with suitable quantity Of cloth
ing aud boots, at "a O o'coek in the morning, che
march was renewed, and Davis Mill was the next
place attacked. Here the enemy we're entrench-
ed, ard sheltered themselves in block house and
fort formed Of cotton bales. The cavalry were
commanded to charge, and attempted to do So
but the swamp and intricate lagoons breaking of
in front of the enomys position would not permit
it. The Yankees opened fro with some effect
from their fort, and we're supported by Q pound
rife6 gun mounted on an iron-clad railroad car,
forming railroad battery. The Texans were
again ordered to charge, and Maj. Dillon, OF Van
Dorp's staff, whose gallantry during the ezpedi-
tion was particularly conspicuous, attempted TO
lead them to the attack, but the mer refused TO
follow, believing tho way mpa ssablc and the posi-
ton too strong for cavalry demonstration alone.
Col. Mccullough, Of the Missouri cavalry, was or
dered to get in the of the railroad battery cut
the track TO prevent its escape and capture IL.
believe he succeeded in cutting the road, but our
forces were compelled TO withdraw, and the steam
battery was not taken. The forces then pushed
on to Middleburg and Bolivar, and attacked both
places, but. found them too strongly defended and
garrisoned to succeed in taking either Of the
points. ~
When the copimand turned back after It's un-
successful attack upon Bolivar, the enemy sent
force Of 10000, comprising the three branches Of
the service out after Van Dorm, and made great
efforts to flank and cut off his force but this dash.
ing officer was too wary for them, and succeeded
in returning with 400 head or captured horses
and mules, laden with spols taken from the enemy.
The presence OF Gen Van Dorm with the ceyal-
ry expedition the Yankees could not understand,
and they believed he advancing ut the head
Of our whole army. .rr
The people Of Tennessee arc represented ns
having been almost frantic with Joy at the APP
pearance of our forces once more upon their bor-
ders. They fed our soldiers with bountful
hand, and wept for joy. "Thank God, you have
come at lasti' one and all exclaimed.
Van Dorm did not form junction with Forrest;
as we were led to believe but their forces were at
one time within q mile Of each other. Forrest
captured Trenton, and completely destroyed the
railroad connection between Columbus and Hum
boljt, aud Van Dorm did the same between Bolivar
and Grand Junction.
Gen. Van Dorn's raid proved entirely success.
full and is to be regarded as one Of the most Inn
portant cavalry demonstrations of the war. Ho
has caused the enemy loss of stores which il will
take months to from, and has deprived his
command Of everything essentially necessary 20
the placing Of his forces 10 the field.
The entire number Of prisoners captured and
paroled during the raid is 2, 100 p-ivatcs and IT'S
commissioned officers.
One thousand of our men supplied themselves
with new rcvolvers. Truly, an important Affair.".
Cor. Mobile RegiSer.