The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-14
THE RAID ON THE WILMINGTON &
WELDON RAILROAD
F,om the Wilmington Journal Of July the 9Th

From the Wilmngt ton Journal of July the 9Th.
|, EARLY yesterday Sunday morning, it was an
nounced that the Yankees had reached Kenans-
Vile, about 60 miles from Newbern, at / o'clock
the night previous, in force of from 5000 to 1000.
1t is reported that they consisted Of cavalry and
infantry about half of them whites the balance
negroes. On yesterday morning a detachment OF
some three or four hundred Federal cavalry were
sent to Warsaw on the Wilmington aud Weldon
Rail Road, ten miles from Kenansville, where
they arrived about half past nine o'clock, cut the
telegraph wires, burned the Rail Road Depot and
Warehouse containing about 10000 pounds OF
government bacon, and perhaps some ordnance
stores. They also tore up about one and half
mile of the track, and then proceeded towards
Magnolia, on arriving within % miles OF the lat
ter depot, they are understood to have changed
their course to the Eastward, in the direction Of
Kenansville; their place of departure in the morn
ing, and where it would appear their main BODY
had encamped.
Gen. Whiting sent some considerable force in
pursuit of the enemy.
On Saturday night at Kenansville, the enemy
burned Mr. Froelich's Sword Factory, and oneSr
two houses. They also took number of the best
horses in and around KenansKille, in place OF their
faded animals. -
Since writing the above, We have received the
following dispatch from Col. Fremont, Chief En-
gineer and Superintendent of the Road:
MAGNorIA, July 9th, 1868.
The Yankee raiders reached Warsaw about 10
o'clock yesterday forenoon. They burned the
warehouse with 49, 900 pounds bacon, one passen-
ger car, and tore up about one mile of the track,
and left in hurry 10 the direction of kenansville.
The pron,ptness with which troops were brought
here made them IN hurry to leave. hope TO-.
good news to-day from our troops. The estimated
force of the enemy is 500 to SOY mounted men,
and four mountain howitzers.- The track Will be
repaired today as [ have large force. The train
will pass as usual tomorrow morning
In subsequent dispatch from Col Fremont, he
requests us to state that there were not more than
four hundred men of the enemy In all, at Warsaw.
The Rail on Warsaw.-We learn from cor
respondent at Warsaw, who is we'll informed, that
the. late raid on-that place by aboutsfour hun
dred cavalry with six pieces of artillery. They
dashed into the place about o'clock on Sunday
morning and stayed until 2, pluudering and burn
ing. They burned the depot to the ground, con-
suming about 20, 600 pounds Of government bacon.
Onslow county lost 60 barrels Of -four and a
quantity of corn; two large pianos,- the scales,
weights, safe, &c, belonging to the depot were also
destroyed. The post office was sacked, and the
Express Messenger shot at. The Fayetteville
stage and horses were captured with the mail, but
the passengers effected their escape The citizens
lost heavily. E. +. Matix and Messrs. Morton
and Zacry lost from three to four thousand dollars
Nj Roals' watch vas stolen from him; Mr.. Aaron
lost some corn and fodder; a buggy belonging to
Mr. Bell was burned, together with the sheds of
Mr. Switzerland. Bell & Blackman's store was
rifed of cotton and tobacco, and Mr. Rivenbark
lost everything he had in his store, which. was
heavy on him, as he is poor man. They carried
off several gentlemen prisoners, but finally detained
only James Love, WAGNER from Virginia.
Raleiyh &uuGard.
A correspondent of the Raleigh Progress,
writing from Goldsboro says:
'Capt. VIM Lanes company, stationed at Ke-
Evansville, were all taken prisoners. | understand
Capt. Lane alone made his escape.
The destruction of private property has been
considerable. | understand they have stolen every
horse and mule that was worth anything that they
could lay their hands upon, and all the negroes
that they could find, aud in instances de-
stroyed fields of growing corn, and very often rob-
bling citizens Of all their bacon and destroying
provisions of all kinds.
A Yankee cavalryman was found drunk at War
saw after the main body left, and was brought to
this place last night. He states that the force
that visited Warsaw was 400, and that their whole
strength only numbered l 500 all told, but that
Foster in supporting distance with a much
larger force of infantry. This fellow had $3.50
Confederate money and stated that some of the
men had over 81 900 in the same currency, which
no doubt they robbed the citizens Of"
A correspondent of the Raleigh. Journal writes
as follows:
K1NsroN, July S.-The enemy, 5000 strong,
including three reg iments of negroes (and mis-
take) came out from Newbern, on day before
yesterday, as high up as Trenton, Jones county,
for the purpose of protecting their retreating
cavalry, lest they should be cut off by our troops
Nethercutts Battalion and Bunting's battery,
supported by the And N. c., engaged the enemys
out-posts at the Free Bridge over the Trent, six
miles above Trenton, and drove them back, killing
several privates and severely wounding one Colonel
Lewis in the shoulder No one hurt on our side.
But unfortunately for our side, owing to the
enemys superior forces, both in rear and front,
liable as we were every moment of being .encom:.
passed, as they laying in wait for us at every
point, our men received orders from Gen Martin
to fall back Immediately towards KiEston, which
orders were promptly obeyed, when the Yankee
thieving cavalry expedition passed down our lines,
cooperating with the advance forces that came
out to support their retreat, aud all vent on
together rejoicing in the direction of Newb,rn.
WILLIAMSON, NC, BURNED BY THE ENEMY.
Colonel S. w. Watts, commanding the 10th
Regiment of North Carolina Militia, in Martin
County, reports to the Adjutant General that he
assembled the men of his Regiment for enrolment
sat Williamson on the 9th Instant. under the
rcQulS:tlOu of the President Eorlv y, +bo ,,orn;nr