New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-01
,ONnISSARY TRAIN ATTACKED By REBELS.
The Train Defended for -Four Iours.
A PART OFT FINALLY LOST.
EVACUATION OF PETERSBURG.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN }
HIgGISIA. Jan. 81. 1864.

iRGiSiA Jan. 81, 1893.
Again we are in the midst OF excitement ant
activity, caused by severe conflict that took plac'
Yesterday afternoon in the ncighborhOod OF Wlians
port Hardy County and which lasted. with consider
able persistence and severity for four hours
On Thursday night train of about eighty wagons wa
.sent out from Nsw.CIeek. heavily laden with conniS
sSy iores for the garrison at Petersburg, and accom-
panyng the train was escort OF about eight hundred
men bang attachments from the 23d Illinois Qrish
Brigsee) 4tb Virginia Cavalry, Cd Maryland l4th and
Ist Virginia Infantry and one hundred of the Ianggcd
Cavalry battalion the whole under command Of Col j.
W Snyder.
Nothing unusual occurred until the train got about
froc miles south of Wlainport when it was sudden
iy sol upon at different points BY open and concealed
forces OF tho enemy.
Although somewhat surprised by the suddcnness oil
me attack the guard at formed and depOyed for
action Then it was that A hard fight ensued COM
mencag at three O'Clock in the afternoon and lasting
for over four hours at the expiration of which time it
was found that we had about eighty in killed and
wounded. rank and Gle The enenys loss was said to
De about one hundred.
In the early part of the fight the rebels opened fire
from four pieces of artillery.
The superiority Of the enemy, strengththere being
In all about 1900 menaso gave them the advantage in
outaaHliDg movements. aud the enemy exercised his
ingenuity simultaneously to operate the trout
and tanks Of Col. Snyder's command.
The enemy however, completely failed of his object
which seemed to he TO try to surround and if possible
capture the whole party Several times the Rebel lines
broken and several times the Rebel charges were
repulsed.
At last night closed the superior numbers OF the
Rebels, and not their good fighting qualities gained
them success. Our men were SO exhausted with
marching, c0unternaTching, and operating in various
ways, that it much they could do TO
fully defend themselves let alone make further efforts
60 retske the trsin.
At one time the train was In fair way OF being
entirely saved but, owing to the excable skedaddng
propenses Of some few Of the teamsters and the eec,
Of their conduct on others q kind Of panic was the
TssuL portion OF the train was saved notwthstand.
ing TIE aforementioned misfortune.
On hearing OF the engagement Col Malligan at once
sent reeDfOrcemeDts to Col Snyder.
-Col Muigsn received information from Col Thoburn
that tho post OF Petersburg again being threatened
aad that Early reported to have moved in force on
Wednesday last from the neghborhood Of Harrsonbure
The Rebel Gems. Rosser and Gilmore are said 70 BE-
again IA the saddle. Gen. Inboden is also moving.
What Gen Kelley Is doing to counteract the enomys
movement viii develop tsef before long There viii
either be severe fight the enemy must retire in
hasis.
HEADQUARTERS WEST VA, Jan. 81, 1864.
The command Of Col. Thoburn, which comprised the
garrison at Petersburg, is oil safe. Late last
tight be evacuated the position In consequence Of re-
ceivipg Information that the enemy wouh positively
stack his works in heavy force at daylight this morning
Col Thoburns in getting safely of with ell hif
uen. trains guns ammunition. stores, &C., Is looked
opon a. quite feat While the enemy mOTing and
preparing 10 make the attack he took mountain road
passed between two columns Of the enemy and is now
In g safe and desirable position again.
The enemy cautiously approached the place, Col. |
Tboburn having taken the pecauon TO make It appear
that the garrison still there The enemy opened
on the place this morning with artillery and kept this
rp for some time sheling. then formed in lines made
regular approaches and finally charged-on nothing
more offensive than few dead mules and the debris OF
camp While this was going Oh, Col. Thoburn was
within hearing with bis retTeatng column. OF the Ell
smys guns.
Military affairs now bright and encouraging.
The weather bad threatening rain.
Ma. Gen. Milroy made "a short speech this morning
IN Cumberland in front Of the Revere House 10 the
18th Virginia Volunteers. The Generals speech was
very encouraging; be said everything is going right
nov. Music. cheers. &C., were among the pleasant
features of the demonstration.