The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-08
FROM THE SOUTH.
Rebel Report of General Averill,s
Raid ia Southwest Virginia.
THR ENEMY AT SALEM, vA.--THR DEPOT
BURNED, ETC.
LYNCHBuRG, Va. Dec. 16 1868.

BURNED, ETO. es- r.
LYNCHBURG, Va. Dec. 16 1868.
| A force OF the enemy, supposed 10 number
three thousand-cayalry and mounted infantry
under Averil. reached Salem, ON the Vir-
| ginia and Tennessee Railroad this morning, at
halfpast ten o'clock. train with troops
| from this city, approached within sight of the
depot, and was fired at. The depot, contain
| ing considerable quantity of produce and the
government depot, adjoining, were burned at
| that time.
Telegr.phie communication having been in
! terrupted, nothing has been heard since
The enemy camped last night at NasOn'a
cave, about four miles from Salem.
During their stay at Salem they destroyed
| two car loads of commissary and large amount
| Of quartermaster stores, including consider.
| able amount of leather and great quantity OF
| produce belonging to the merchants Of Lynch
burg, which was stored in the depot, which
was destroyed.
LYNcHBURo, Dec. II, 1863
The enemy, $500 strong, with several pieces
| of artillery, under Averil, who were at Salem
yesterday, left there last night, retreating by
the Sweet Springs and Newcastle road-the
same way the came. They will have to cross
both Craig and Sinking creeks, which are be-
lieved to be greatly swollen by the recent rains.
! 81 uYNCHBURG, Dec. Is. 1863
We have various reports from Salem The
courier who arrived at Bonsack's reports the
enemy returning; but persons who left Salem
this morning state that there was no enemy
there. The damage done to the railroad dur
ing their visit was not considerable. 5-,
Tho track was torn up for one hundred
yards about the depot and the bridge over
Roanoke river and Mason's creek, two miles
this side of town, and another small bridge
were destroyed, and a few telegraph poles cut
down. Filters large flour mill, McClanahan's
store and three small buildings were burnt;
also, seventy ,five government wagons. Thos
Chapman, citizen, was killed the prisoners
in the Jail liberated, among them was a few
Yankee prisoners. 49,, Xxx. f-.rI
A number of citizens and some furloughed
and wounded soldiers wee taken prisoners.
but the citizens have returned. A number of
negroes were carried Off rhn iE3Ha
1t is said that the enemy's forces did not
exceed LOCO. Reports of their returning to
Salem are conflicting.
LYNCHBURG, Dec 10. 1863.
We have but little additional with respect to
the Salem raiders. On Tuesday night thew sur
prised and fired into the camp of Capt. White.
on Catawba creek, and captured seventeen men
and about one hundred horses, which were be-
ing recuperated. Farmers who arrived at
were on this side O. Craig's creek, eighteen
miles from Salem, at noon yesterday Their
camp was visible from the mountains. Craig's
creek was rising rapidly yesterday, and impOs-
sible to ford, which prevents the enemy's fur
ther retreat on the Newcastle road. "a
ji4s.l SECOND DISPATCH. Il ssS
Passengers this evening report that the enc
my. finding Craigs creek past fording, chang
ed their course up the Catawba, and campcd on
Thursday night ten miles below Montgomery
White Sulphur Springs their object In taking
this route is to strike the Salt Pond road. Lead.
ing towards the Kanawha Valley. Their cap
ture is confidently expected. Reported Skin
mishing yesterday at Blacksburg.
LYNCHBUR0, Dec. 20, 1868.
A special correspondent of the Vir0;pian.
dated Salem, Dec. Is, says that on Wednesday
morning the enemy's advance guard charged
up Main street, the main body following soon
after with pistols drawn. ready to fire upon
the citizens who crowded upon the streets.
They broke open the Post Office, cut the tele-
graph wires, and then proceeded to the depot.
which was crowded with ladies and gentlemen
awaiting the train. They broke open trunks.
destroyed their contents, and set Dire to the
building. They forced q line Of battle and
planted battery Of eight pieces of artillery on
hill TO bear on the expected train. When
the train came in sight they fired eight shots
at It. but 1t retired without damage.