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

KEGS though regiment OF prisoners were en-
oaced Ia putting their comrades under ground.
They we're driven the second day. Neither
Marty as vet had their whole strength. The
Yankees had fortified range Of hills beyond
the town mile and haf-a strong position
the ranges rising one above the other pre-
cipitous and high. To storm this, it was me-
cessary to pass over valley Of meadows and
wheat fields one or two miles, almost bare Of
woods.
The battle commenced at 10 o'clock, July
I'd. II continued until night. The enemy's
wings were driven back and doubled in, but
the centre was very stubborn.
The ridge, crowned with over . hundred
guns. in half mile space, and defended by
three army corps was charged and held for
twenty minutes. A terrible fire from stone
fence on the plateau, and cross firing from the
adjacent hills, drove back our force. Here
fell many officers. Several Thousand prison
ers are in eur possession.
Gen. Stuart passed around the enemy's
right and defeated his cavalry; also Gen. W.
E. Jones repnlsed . cavalry force on our
right.
July 4th.-Gen. Lee occupies his original
position in the centre; bis wings are advanc-
ed. He is swinging his army around to the
right, to get between the enemy and WASH
ington city He starts his surplus wagons
and wounded back to the Potomac.
To engineer train five miles long in SIX
miles of the enemy was assigned to Gen. Inn
hoden.
Two thousand wounded and as many strag
glers, with ammunition and thousands Of
horses, msved across the Blue Ridge towards
Chambersburg at 8 o'clock. Only eleven
hundred men to guard this immense and vail
liable train! 1t was delicate and difficult
duty. On it pushed by by-roads and through
storm and darkness-the groans Of wounded
rising above the roar of the wheels. A dread
full night! He was attacked by the enemy
about 9 o'clock on the 9Th. The Yankees
were repulsed. The train. safely arrived here
on the same day.
The enemy had burned the pontDons, and
the Potomac was past fording and rising.
Here stood three Thousand wagons and ff-
teen thousand horses-thia loss never could
be repaired The enemy were advancing in
heavy force. Gen. Imbeden' bad some twelve
hundred of his own Two regiments came
from Winchester just in time.
He rode over the ground-planted his ar
tillery-put every straggler in the ranks
concealed behind bluff his wagons and
horses, and waited the enerhy's approach.
A perilous sitnation-an impossible river
in the .rear-a heavy force in front but
handful to oppose them. Several wounded
Generals would have fallen into the enemy's
hands if they succeeded. Gen. jenkins, who
was wounded several days previous in the
head, rode up hill near the wagons, looked
at the acres on acres covered with them, re-
marked. .it was an hour Of great importance;
if defeated, the army Of Northern. Virginia is
ruined /"
AT four the enemy came rapidly up-cavaE
ry ind mounted infantry, under Gems. Kill
patrick and Buford-a whole division, with
eighteen pieces of canDon-zone brigade of
regular cavalry. Against this force was pit
ted about one-6fth the number-half strag-
glers.
Imboden seemed to be impressing all with
his own purpose-to. die rather than surren-
der. Even the wagoners caught the enthusi-
asm, and marched to the field; tho wounded
limped to the front; one game fellow expend-
ed all his ammunition, and excused himself
for retiring, as he couldn't charge on ono
leg: another was wounded again.
Their cavalry made several efforts to charge,
hut couldn't stand theterrible Smelling. The
infantry was dismounted. The fight was
stubborn, lasting till dark. The enemy never
advanced from their line Of battle, but were
beat back two miles, and retreated in the
dark and in disorder.
Everything considered, the battle of Will
Transport is one of the most brilliant, as well
as important. that has occurred during the
war, and justifes the confidence placed in
Gen. Imboden by Gen. Lee in assigning him
such an important post
July 9th. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee is now in
command, having arrived last night. The ri
yer is falling. jill.