The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-05

THE RAID INTO BURKE CoUNTY.-On Tuesday
last, the 25th, party of East Tennessee and n G.
tories, and deserters, estimated in number at from
$50 to 400 men, made raid into Burke county, n.
C. At the time of writing this, we are not in pos
session of any definite accurate information con-
corning the operations of the raiders but give the
details we learned them verbally.
The raiders were led by the notorious tory, Col.
Kirk, who bounced upon the Conscript camp Camp
Vance) about daylight Tuesday morning, cap
turing all the troops present. consisting, it is said
Of some 200 Junior Reserves and few camp guards.
The camp is situated about miles this side of Nor
canton and near the terminus of the Western N. g.
Railroad. The camp destroyed, together with
temporary depot and few cars that were stand
ing on the track at the terminus of the road. We
suppose the loss in this way is small The engine
attached to the cars. it is said, can be easily re-
paired.
The main body of the raiders did not visit Nor
Canton. A small party it is reported went to the
village and wero in the actof stealing R. c.. Pear
sons horses, when Mr. Pearson fired on them and
killed one. The others fed
The villains remained but a short time in the
vicinity of Morganton before taking the back track
It is stated that number of the Junior Reserves
(about SOY escaped from the raiders and returned
to Morganton.
A large force collected at Morganton
to meet the enemy but we suppose they made their
escape, though pursuit was soon commenced.
In anticipation of the advance of this raiding par
ty further this way, the Home Guards and detailed
of this place, Salisbury, Greensb oro. and other
points along the N. C. Railroad, were mustered and
gotten ready for service. Companies were also
formed at Chester and Yorkville, S. c., ready to
come to our help if occasion required. A large
force could have been assembled here or of Sails
bury in a few hours lift had been necessary.
FURTHER PARTICULARS
The Editor of the Salisbury Waterman writes to
his paper from Camp Vance, near Morganton, as
follows:
CAMP VANCE. June 3d.
Our troops have come up with the raiders two or
three miles beyond Piedmont Springs, engaged
them and sent back for reinforcements 1t is sup
posed the enemy has been reinforced. They
ried off from this place about $50 Junior Reserves
and officers. including Commissary Long, and his
assistants Quartermaster Everitt, and his asss-
tants
In the engagement at Piedmont, DR. Pearson was
wounded i'll the knee. The drummer from Camp
Vance, prisoner in their hands, was killed by the
shot of our Several of the Junior Reserves
were wounded at the time and number of
them took that opportunity to make their escape.
E number ofnrgroes also escaped in the confusion
of the moment.
The destruction of property has not been so great
uS was SAPctlcu, though II Is considerable. he
depot at this place with its contents, which were
not large, and many of the shantes the camp. in
Guiding three hundred stand of arms, and camp
property of a miscellaneous kind. Tho engine of
the train destroyed was not much damaged
We reached Morgaiton last evening, and
very kindly received by he people, mostly ladies,
and only left this morning after arriving at the
cusOn that were too far behind our force in pur
suit of the enemy to be of any service, and that the
evidently small band of the raiders would be cap
tured or scattered before could possibly reach
them. But courier from them this morning repre-
scented that our party wanted reinfOrcements, and
we again turn our faces towards Morganton. and
will probably press until shall meet our
friends.
The raiders consist almost exclusively of Tennes-
see and North Carolina deserters and tories. Many
of them were known to boys and citizens here Some
few Indians among them. R. c. Pearson, Esq.
killed of them two miles from Morganton.
They rogucs and rascels of the first water, and
have robbed several citizens of negroes, horses
mules, money, clothing, provisions, &C.. &c. They
splendidly armed,
Major Mclean at Camp Vance was notified on
Saturday morning of the tories rohbing Mr. Tate,
but he dsbeeved the report of the 300 raiders He
left Monday, having made effort to guard
against the marauders. j. j. Il.
The Waterman of Saturday gives some additional par
tculars. The enemy pursued to Yellow Mountain
in Mitchell county, where troops attacked them in
strong position the mountain, without effecng much
1t thought that several of the raiders killed and
wounded and is reported that the tory leader Kirk had
his arm broken On side man, Clark, killed.
and few wounded Among the wounded is the Hon w
Avery severely in the goin Dr. Pearson in the knee
and Lieut. Fetter of Camp Vance, in the foot The follow
ing persons robbed of their negroes horses mules
money jewelry. and clothing: John Sudduth A II Err
win, f J Erwin, w c Erwin Robt Perkins, Richd Mi
cheaux, T j and p Meroney, and Mrs Caldwell.