The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
A HISYykI or TIE RAP ~
.SUETH WE.sTERN TfRNAIA.

.SUCTX WESTERN IIRAAIA.
The Lynchburg TirginjoH contains
the first connected account Of the raid
into Southwestern Virginia which has
been published, 1t appears that, on Mon
day, the i2th, the enemy, since ascer-
tanned to consist of Gilem's, StoncmanS
and Burbridgc's forces, concentrated a,
Beans station, advanced eastward
Vaughn was at GTeenville and Dukes
brigade at Rogcrsvllc. The movement
was rapid, and Duke, being in their route
was forced back to kingsrort, when, OF
the 18th, he was attacked, and suffered
a repulse. The enemy thus got ahead d
Vaughn. and, on the morning of the 18th
entered Bristol. The account says;
"On the night of the lith he entered
Abingdon, Duke falling back towards
Abingdon. General Breckenridge, at
Wytheville, appraised of the advance, at
once began to concentrate his troops ior
the defence of Saltville. On the after
noon of the l4th, he started by train fOl
that point himself; arriving at Glade
Spring that night late, he barely es-
capped capture, and reached Saltyilc next
morning enemy reaching Glade
Spring shortly after day light on the 18th.
The force of the enemy, after leaving
Abingdon, divided into two columns
one threatening Saltvillc, the other go
ing to Glade Spring and towards Wythe
vile. AT 3 =. NJ, the enemy entered
Marion, twenty-siX miles west of W ythc-
Vile, and detached force which was
sent southeast, towards the lead mines
Meanwhile, General Vaughn, leaving
Bristol to his left, arrived in front Of Ma
rion, and, supposing the main column
had gone to the lead mines, pursued the
detachment with his main force, leaving
Colonel Gillespie with the remainder of
his command at Marion. On the morn
ing of the 10th, at daylight, Colonel Gil
lespie was attacked and repulsed, retreat
ing towards Wytheville, sixteen miles
distant. There were no troops at this
point-the railroad superintendent having
failed to send them from Dublin. For
want Of cars, also, but a portion of the
stores could be removed from Wythe-
vile.
1.-The retreat Of Gillespie was so rapid,
and the pursuit Of the enemy SO close,
that the former arrived at Wytheyille at
IL - A. NJ, and passed through the
town in stampede, all efforts to rally
them failing. The enemy appeared at l
z. Nj. their yidettes approaching very
cautiously. Major Johnston, assistant
adjutant general, of BreckimiLges staff,
with half dozen officers and men, re
manned, and by standing picket at the
west end OF the town, Ia sight of the
Yankees detained them from coming in
for two hours. The town was by this
time cleared. AT 3 p. NJ, Major John
stOn having withdrawn to the east of the
town, General Gillem sent in a flag of
truce, which Major Johnston received
through Captain Semple and Major
Mcmahon, of General Breckinrilge's
staff. The unconditional surrender of the
town was demanded, with guarantee of
security to private property and citizens
MAJOR Johnston replied, agreeing to sur
render the town on those conditions, pro-
vided he was allowed half an hour IN
which to withdraw his forces. After
much elaboration, General Gillem de
chned to give the time asked, but to re
spect private property and citizens.
MAJOR Johnston having thus gained
more than an hour for the retreating
cavalry and trains, withdrew his forces,
six all told, and came on towards Dub
lin. The enemy adhered to his terms,
and disturbed no private property
When Gillem found out the ruse which
had been practiced upon him, he was
more amused than incenscd
"On Saturday morning, before day
light. the enemy, after burning the rail
road depot, ordnance and medical build
ings, retired as he came, first sending
detachment of two hundred to the lead
mines. General Vaughn was at this I'M
portant point, but believing exaggerated
reports of the enemy's strength, re
treated on his approach. The damage to
the mines was slight, and can soon be
repaired. The enemy retired towards
Marion, doubtless to effect junction
with the main force and capture Salt
vile; but, at last accounts, this impor-
tant point was safe, and General Brock
inridge had repulsed the enemy on seve
raj occasions. The raid is ably con
Quoted, the force moving rapidly and
doing but little pillaging."