Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-12-31

Gen. Holleck.:
have the honor to report that |
cut the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad
at Salem on the 18th, and ! have ar
rived safely at this place with my CON-
mand. At Salem three depois were
destroyed, containing 10000 barrels OF
-four. 10000 bushels Of wheat. lOO.-
600 bushels OF shelled corn. $4,000
bushels Of oats. 90. 600 barrels Of meat,
several cords Of leather. 1000 sacks
of salt 81 boxes Of clothing, 90 bales
Of cotton, large amount OF harness,
shoes and saddles, equipments. tools,
oil and tar, and various other stores,
and 100 negroes. The telegraph wire
was cut, coiled and burned for half
mile. The water station. turn-table
and three cars burned, the track torn
up and the rails heated and destroyed
as much Ms was possible in six bours..-
Five bridges and several culverts we're
destroyed over an extent Of is miles,
A large quantity of bridge timber and
repairing material were also destroy
ed.
Ny march was retarded occasionally
by the tempest in the mountains, and
the icy roads. I was obliged to swim
my command. drawing my artillery
with ropes. across Cragg's creek seven
teen times in twenty -four hours.
On my return, | found six separate
commands under Gems. Early, Jones,
Fitzhugh Lee, Imboden. Jackson,
Ecbols and McCouston, arrsyed IN
line extending from Staunton to New
port upon all the available roads to
prevent my return. l captured dis
patch from Gen. Jones to Gen. Early.
giving me his position and tha TO
Jackson at Clifton Forge. l marched
from the front Of Jones to that Of Jack.
son at night. His outposts were press
ed in at a gsllop by the 9th Virginia
Mounted Infantry, and two bridges
across jackson river saved, although
faggos had been piled ready to ignite
them. Ny column, about iour miles
long. FASTENED across, regardless Of the
enemy. until all but my ambulances
and few wagons, and one regiment,
had passed. when a strong effort was
made to stake the first bridge. in which
they did not succeed. The am
balances, and some sick men, are lost,
and BY the darkness and difficulties
the last regiment was detained upon
the opposite side until morning, when
| ascertained that the enemy seemed
determined to maintain his position
upon the cliffs which overlooked the
bridges. caused the bridges, which
were long and high, TO be destroyed.
and the enemy Immediately changed
position to The flank and rear OF the de-
tachment which was cut of. l sent an
order to the detachment to destroy the
remnants OF our wagons, and come to
me across the river or over the noun
tain. They swan the river, with the
loss Of four men, who were drowned,
and Joined me. In the meantime the
forces of the enemy were concentrating
upon me at Callaghan's over every
available road but one. which was
deemed imprac,ibIe. but by which |
crossed over the top Of Che Alleghanies
with my command. with the exception
of four caissons, which were destroyed
in order to increase the teams OF the
pieces. My loss is six men drowned.
and four men wounded and four Off
GERS and ninety men missing.
We captured about goo prisoners,
but retained but four officers and eighty
men, on account OF their inability to
walk. We took also. about one hun
dred and fifty horses. The march
was entirely over a very poor country,
and the officers and men have suffered
cold, hunger and fatigue with remark
able forlitude. My command has
marched, climbed slides and swan 353
miles since the 9th inst.
LSigned,] w. w. AvERILL,
/ Brigadier- General.