The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-07-24
The Recent Raid.

4
The country was startled Sunday morning
by the report Of Yankee raid upon Wythe-
vile; but as no intelligence had reached us
that the enemy was within.a hundred miles Of
that place, prior to the report that he was
rapidly advancing, it was hard to. credit the
statement, coming, as it did, in almost every
conceivable form. We have endeavored to
sift the facts of the raid from the immense
amount of exaggerated reports in circulation,
but whether we will be able to give anything
ike the truth we cannot now say. We will,
however, draw upon the most reliable authori-
ties we have, and where in error, will correct
in future: We understand from the Lynch.
burg Virginian that "a force Of Yankee caval
/ ~, number unknown, but supposed to be
Brigade, left point FIVE miles west of Taze-
we'll Court House at an early hour on Satur-
day morning, with view Of destroying the
railroad and government property at Dublin
Depot, New River bridge, and at Wythevil|e;.
arriving at point short distance west Of
the Narrows of New river, they were .di-
vided into two columns. one of which, consti-
tuting one-third Of the force, started for
WytheviIle, the remainder for New River
bridge, at which point they were to divide
and one column to go to Dublin Depot.
Itseems, however, that the gallant Col Nc
Causland got in the way of the latter party
previous to their arrival at New River Bridge,
and played smash with them. killing, wound
ing, capturing and dispensing them generally 4
The party destined for the destruction of
Wytheville arrived in the town simultaneous
" with It's militia and volunteers from Dub
lin Depot and elsewhere, whereupona fight
ensued in the streets, resulting in the disper-
sion and capture of the majority Of our boys"
For the particulars Of the engagement at
Wytheville, we are indebted to Mr.. D. A.
St. Clair, Editor of the "W ythevile Dispatch"
which we subjoin from an Extra" which he
has sent us for publication for him:
TO the Patrons of the ssWytheville Dis
patch"
When the last issue Of the "Dispatch" was
published and sent you, little did think that
in q few short hours from that time the invaders
and desecraters Of our soil would be in our
midst, and that the last dimes worth of proper
ty possessed would be burned and otherwise
destroyed Little did think it; but such is the 1
case.
On Saturday morning last, the 18th inst, in
formation reached us that the enemy, some 1900
strong, cavalry was advancing, and immedi-
ate steps were taken to give him as warm re-
III. T..
ing only about 200, after being collected, hadn't
sufficient time left to advance to q position be-
yond the corporate limits, and, therefore, deter
mined to make the best defence possible in the |
town. Accordingly positions were taken in and |
about the buildings along the street through |
which the enemy was expected to pass. About
o'clock P. NJ, the enemy came dashing in and |
most calamity most nobly, and most successful |
" was he met. Our men fred on him from the |
doors, windows and corners of the buildings, /
creating the greatest CONSERVATION in his ranks,
and causing the panic-stricken hirelings to flee |
in every direction for safety. i
The fight lasted only about 80 minutes, the |
enemy losing some 80 in killed and wounded; |
our loss being about 10, in killed and wounded
They took about 20 of our men prisoners-we |
captured about 20 prisoners.
After the fighting was over the enemy COM
L
buildings completely stripping them of their
contents-and, also firing all the buildings from
which defence was made. The dwelling houses /
of Mr.. VIM. Gibboney, Mr.. Jos Smith, "a re-
fugee from Kanawha,) Capt John H. Gibboney |
: and my own-with all their contents-together
with stables, kitchens, stores, and my Printing /
ofice-with the entire contents of each were all |
burned to the ground. Nothing was saved I
was not enabled to save even so much as a
change of clothing for myself or family, and
barely escaped with my life.
No damage whatever was done to the Railroad,
except the burning of small bridge. The 9TH
er public property was unmolested.
Up to the hour Of going to press, we have
no reliable information as to where the raj
ders got out, but we presume they went out
!. as they came in, though we have the report
that the whole. force has been captured.
So soon as the report reached Abingdon, in
a reliable shape, that raid was certainly be-
ing made upon Wytheville, meeting Of the
citizens Of this place was held Sunday morn |
ing, and couriers dispatched to the country.
and at an early hour in the evening the citi-
zens Of the county -old men, young men and
5oys-were seen coming in from every direc-
ton ready for any emergency, and before
night three companies were organized and thel
necessary steps taken to render any aid ii
their power. and in whatever quarter requiK.
eddy Gen. Preston, the commandment of thisf
district Upon reporting to Gen. Preston
who had gone to Glade Spring Depot to awaify
Developments, they were informed that, fof