The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-29
BREJKINRIDGE DRIVEN INTO
NORTH CAROLINA.
The Immense Destruction Of
Property.
,RpceInI % The EvenIng TeIegranh.


WAsmNGToN, December 29.-Ths Star
has the folloWing:-
The following report Of General Burbridge's
operations has been received by the War De-
prrtment:-
Despatch from General BWrbridEe.
CATLETTsBURG, KY, December 1s, 1864.
Il have the honor to report that my mounted
force, four Thousand strong, in conjunction
with General Gilem's Brigade, the whole
under command Of Major-General George
Stoneman, marched from Beams Station on
the 18th OF December at daylight.
They met Dukes Brigade at Kingsport
where lac was drawn up to oppose the cross
ing ofthe Holston river sent two regiments
to support General Gillem, who Hanlled the
enemy, routing him, and killed, wounded, and
captured one hundred men and wagon train,
place at O'Clock in the morning, capturing
the town, with two hundred and fifty prison.
ers, two trains Of cars, five engines, and i'm
mense quantities Of stores.
learned that Vaughn was at Zollickofer,
twelve miles below, and marched to attack
him, but he slipped away in a dense fog, and
made for the salt works.
discovered his flight in time to head him
Off at Abingdon, which place captured on
the night of December ii, taking one gun,
large amount Of stores, and an engine with
some rolling stock.
General Gillem continued the pursuit of
Vaughn, coming up with him at Marion,
driving him from a strong position, and cap
turing fifty prisoners.
sent Colonel Browns Brigade TO the sup
port Of General GiIem, who again came
upon the enemy at Mount Airy, and drove
him in confusion, capturing some prisoners
and seven pieces Of cannon, and large
wagon train.
Colonel Brown, with his brigade, later in
the day, charged the Rebel home guard of
Wytheville, capturing five pieces of cannon
and eight eaissons.
Major Harrison, of the 18th Kentucky, who
had been detached, by order of General Stone
man, with three hundred picked men and
horses, struck the Virginia Railroad on the
18th of December, near Glade's Spring, cut
ting it and capturing two trains Of cars. He
then got in Vaughn's front, and continued
along the line of the road, destroying all the
bridges and depots as far as Wytheville, 4
large amount of rolling stock, and the great
iron works near Marion.
Colonel Brown destroyed the bridges for
ton miles above Wytheville, when the expe-
dition started on its return, the men and
horses being entirely worn out.
Near Marion 1 came upon Breckenridge,
who was following Colonel Brown, and an en-
gagement Of hirty-Sib hours ensued, at the
close OF which Breckenridge retreated towards
Saltville, but Colonel Buckley, with brigade,
having got in his rear, forced him in confu-
sion towards North Carolina.
Colonel Buckley effectually destroyed the
lead mines near WytheviIle on the night Of
the 2Oth.
After some resistance our united forces cap
tured and destroyed the salt works, with eight
pieces Of cannon.
The expedition has been entirely successful,
and the damage viii be more felt by the
enemy than the loss Of Richmond.
The salt works and lead mines are in ruins,
and cannot be repaired during the war. My
forces are now at this place and safe. 1 will
send you a detailed report by mail.
(Signed) ST. BURBRDGE,
BreYet Major-General.