The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1863-05-14

self from being captured, the rebels
commenced the destruction of the raj
road bridge which was doubles The f.
nest structure Of the kind in the United
States. twas made of iron, supported
/ by four piers Of massive s'ouework and
was about nine hundred Iosi long, Tho
iron work was above the piers and was
supported BY mmbular columns of cast
iron. IN these hollow columns they
poured kegs Of powder which they had
brought along for the purpose, and in
this way,the noble structure was blown
from the piers into the river. The
whole cost of its erection was $496,0O0,
two thirds Of which was expended in
getting the piers above lie high water
owing to the great depth of water and
mud above the solid rock. The des.
truction of this bridge is one of the most
serious losses to this Ralroad during the
war. Months must elapse before even a
temporary bridge can be erected.
The battle We have enfeayered to de.
scribe, was fought on Wednesday, april
20tb, and was in many respects the most
remarkable in the annals of warfore.-
The great disparity in tho numbers en-.
gagged; the obstinate. determined resist
tence made by the Unioni,ts; the length
of time they held out; and, stranger,
still, oaly one killed and four wounded
on our side. while the rebel loss, occor-
ding 10 their own admission, was fifty or
sixty. Indeed Gen Jones told Captain
Chamberlin thatwo had killed and disa-
bled about . hundred Oils men
He, as well as the rebel soldiers, com.
pfmented US, on the gallantry with
which we maintained our various posi-
tons, Where all who took up arms did
so well, il would be inyidious 10 particu-
larizc individual acts of hcroism,
Capt Chamberlin, Of Co. F, l06th N.
Y Vols, had command of the post
Major Parish, of the militia, and each
citizen soldier commanded himself, and
as many more as would obey him.
Every store in town was robbed of
everything the thieves fancied. The
homcrebcls pointed out the private prop.
erty they wanted destroyed, and it was
done. A valuable steam saw.milI, be.
longing to ]. N, Cromwell & Co., was
burned. Tie Natioao' printing Office
was destroyed because it has been un.
compromisiugly Union, while the but
ternut concern in Morganrown was un-
injured because, as tie traitors said, it
was on their side and was devoted to
their cause. The law and private libra.
ri,s Of Gov. Pierpoint were carried ido
the street in font Of his office alhhgIk J.
eli; every horse inr6wn andthe SURROUND,
ding country was taken. AL least FIVE
hundred horses wete taken out Of Ma
ron county alone.
Forunatylr, tho Union men had mo-
we'd their horses out Of the nriglbor.
hood, while he Seresh relied upon their
opposition to ;he Government, which
has always protected them for secur,y.
Hence in the loss of horses they are by
far the greater sufferers, os the raj ers
were no rcspecrers of persons in making
their selections. Some Men who have
all along been very des'ru 70 get their
rights, have had a lilc lorctaste OF
what theiI lights are in the c- imation Of
traitors The miserable copp' lheads
who have been opposing the " r., md
growing about 5, have lost more by
the men-mhos- rights they are 50 Jealous
Of Than the Government expects them
to pay as taxes for the next ten years.
Aside from the loss Of property, we
have no doubt, this raid will have
good effect. 1t viii oprn the eyes of
the people and Of the Government to the
necessity of adopting far more rigid
measures with home rebels, who act as
spies, furnishing the information which
enable these raids to successfully enter
and escape ftom our lines. We used to
hear great deal about con6scating their
property and leaving them as poor os n
chuIch mouse; but as far as our obscfva.
lion extends, the rebels in West Virginia
are getting rich by the war.
Let US for the future take prompt and
effective measures for tho removal of ev-
cry disloyal person, male AMI fcm,le,
old and young, south Of our State and
military lines, What else can be, dono
with the women who fred from the hou.
ses on our soldiers as they were yctr,al.
ing through town the other DAY, who
waved handkerchefs and cheercds The
thieves aud robbers as they came iuo
town, aud jecrcd aud laughed ut our
gallant boys as they were marched pris.
onsrs Of war into. town from had
fought btttlcdoId? What should DO
done with rebel mer and boys Hho spent
the day in riding about tho streets with
rebels, pointing on, private prope,ty
which they wished destroyed? They
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