The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-05
DEFEAT or TEE YANKEES NEAR
IYNCHRIIRG VA.

The lIYnchburg hepaDilcan gives tbe iosioHsnS
account Of Che defest Of the Yankee army under
Gen Huater near that city week before last:
The enemy have come and gone. With 2OO0O,
he marched up the hill, and then marched down
again Finding it impossible to expei Zen. breek-
;nridee from the mountain passes OF the Blue
Ridge. near Waynesborough, Hunter determined
mon the bold and hazardous movement OF throw
inc his whole column rapidly up the valley to
buchanan, thence across the mountain to Liberty,
and thence down the Virginia and Tennessee Rail-
road to Lynchburs He cut himself loose from
his base of supplies and communication with his
Government, and determined to provision his army
exclusively upon the rich country through which
he passed At the same time that Hunter was
matine this bold movement, Sheridan, with a large
force of cavalry, was despatched from Grants
Headquarters to cooperate in the contemplated
attack upon Lynchburg. This force was to ap-
proach BIZ Charlottesville or the canal, and attack
from the North side, while Hunter was to strike
from the South side. Unfortunately for the
enemy, this part of the arrangement was complete
ly spoiled by Hampton, who attacked Sheridan near
Gordonsve, and defeated and routed him COM
pletely Hunter therefore, advanced to the attack
without the assistance of Sheridan.
No sooner, however, did he feel our lines, on the
morning Of Saturday, than he discovered that they
were defended by something more than militia and
hospital rats, and after day of skirnishing and
combat, he concluded that it the better part of
vaor to beat an inglorious retreat. This he did as
soon as nighttal threw partial covering over his
movements The retreat was discovered by our
forces about 10 o'clock at night, when immediate
preparations were made for active pursuit. which
commenced by IL O'Clock. The enemy, therefore,
had some hours the start, aud have no doubt made
much better time in going than they did in COM
ing. The failure of the expedition is complete.
BY occupying this city, Grant hoped to place him
self in position to efectuay cut off Lees commun
cation with Richmond, and thus compel him TO
retreat into North Carolina. But, instead of &C.
compshing this, both Hunter and Sheridan have
sustained dsgraceful and disastrous defeats. Lees
communications remain intact, and glorious old
Virginia is as invincible ever.
In the fight on Saturday, near this city, Genea
Averill stated to gentleman of entire reliability,
that their loss was 800 killed, wounded and
missing.
, The enemy commenced their retreat about O.
clock, Saturday evening, after their unsuccessful
assault on our lines previously reported. AS soon
the retreat discovered, vigorous pursuit
made. Gentlemen by whose houses the enemy
passed inform us that they travelled in great haste
and confusion.
Before leaving bis headquarters Hunter stated
to gentlemen in the -neighborhood that Sheridan
was expected to cooperate with him In the attack
this city, and that Butler was to send mp col
from the South-sde, Neither Of tnem had
come to time, and hence the necessity of his
"changc Of base"
The enemy threw away large number of guns,
pistols and swords, both on the battle-fe aud on
the route of their retreat. Knapsacks, haversacks
canteeps, &C. also profusely strewed about,
and many picked up by citizens who visited
the field and passed along the roads.
LYNCHBURG, June 25.--A gentleman who left
our forces Thursday, five miles beyond Salem and
Newcastle road ,,says Hunter came being cap
tured at that point His escape was owing to the
delay in delivering orders. The enemy SO
hard pushed that he destroyed an ammunition
train mile long. Our informant saw it blown. up.
portion Of our forces have taken large WAC on
| train and number of prisoners
The enemy on his retreat destroyed Barsock' S
WOODEN factory, in Roanoke county.
From the Richmond Wing of the Gath.
FROM STAUNTON AND THE VALLEY.
A citizen Of Staunton, who left on Tuesday
and reached Richmond Thursday morning via
Lynchburg, furnishes the following details of the
operations Of the Yankees during their sojourn in
the town and surrounding country
awhile at Stanton they burned all tho depot
buildings the steam mill, WOODEN factory, CARRIERS
foundry, Mason & Harnlan's distiery, all the for
aye houses and stables occupied by the Govern
ment, the Government wagon shop, j. j. TroeGer's
stables and fourteen stages, and Quilted the Staun
ton shoe factory. Neither the courthouse nor any
of the hospital buildings were interfered with.
Hunter sent squad, headed by an officer, who
impressed for the relief of the necessities of the
| Yankee army, all the provisions, stock &c, be-
long inS to the citizens, leav ing each family only
scanty supply of the necessaries of life. They
took as prisoners all the detailed employed in
che town With the exception of few foreigners
! OF low repute, no citizen of Stanton went with
them except Thomas Edwards, mail agent.
ln the county of Augusta the Yankee impress
ing parties did as in Staunton, and whatever they
left was soon seized by :naraudng gangs of Yam
kee soldiers, who stood not upon the order of their
stealing, but stole quickly
The following is the reported damage done the
Central road beyond Staunton, according to our in
formant. They blew up an arched bridge near the
town, and burnt all the bridges from that point to
Goshen station, which is about 80 miles distant
On that section of the road in all they tore up
about FIVE or six miles of track.-This side of
Stanton they tore up the track from the town as
far as Christys Greek a miles) and burned the
bridge at that point. They also burned the depot
at Fishervi!le, only few miles nearer tris way
We had forgotten to mention above in the proper
connection, that they burned Walkers mill, on the
road from Staunton to Port Republic, and within
two miles of Wier's Cave. This is brief and i'm
perfect record of public vandalism, the Lord only
knows how much private vi11ainy they perpetrated
10 the name of the Union, while ia the Valley
1t was generally supposed that Hunters party
after their defeat at Lynchburg and Liberty, were
retreatng towards kanawha Valley. There were
Yankees in any part of the Valley when our