The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-01
~~1sSA4A Vb8 "a > AAe@SA~ -
Sharp Contest in the Vicinity Of VIII
Transport, Hardy County, Va.
CAPTURE OF A UNION ARMY TRAIN.
PREPARATIONS TO MEET the REBELS.
~~~~>>SN>~o~~~>~-~~~S~~~
Severe Fighting Expected
Within q Few Days.
THE LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES.
Withdrawal Of Our Troops from
Petersburg,
a.. dc. Go.
HE LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES.

a.. 10. Go.
Nlr. r. @. wilson's Despatch.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT wnrERs vrRerNA,l
Jan. 81, 1854.
Again we are 10 tho midst Of excitement and activity
caused BY conflict that took place yesterday az
ternoon in the ncghborhood Of Wiliamsport, Hardy
county and which lasted with considerable persistence
| and severity, for four hours.
On Thursday night train OF about eighty wagons
out from New Crock, heavily laden with commissary
stores for the garrison at Petersburg and accompanying
the train was an escort OF about eight hundred men,
being detachments from the Twenty third Illinois rish
Brgade), Fourth Virginia cavalry, Second Maryland,
First and Fourteenth Virginia infantry and hundred
Of the Rnggold cavalry battalion the whole under
mand Of Colonel j. W. Snyder.
Nothing occurred until tho train got about br,o
miles south Of wiamsport, when II was suddenly set
upon different points by open and concealed forces OF
the enemy
Although somewhat surprised by tho suddcnness Of
attack the guard formed and dopoyed for action
Then was that hard fight ensued, commencing "a
three O'Clock the afternoon aud lasting for four
hours, AZ the expiration Of which time was found that
we had about eighty in Killed and wounded rank and
ale Tho enemys loss said TO DO about one hundred
IN the early part OF the 6ght tho rebels opened tire
| from four pieces Of artillery.
The superiority OF the onemy's strengtb-there being
In all about two thousand men-also gave them tho sd-
vantage in outnankng movements, and the enemy
cised his ingenuity simultaneously 70 operate on the
front, rear and TANKS OF Colonel snydey's command
The enemy, however, completely failedof his object,
which seemed TO be TO try TO Surround, and possible.
capture tho whole party Several times the rebel lneo
broken, and several times the rebel chasgcs were
REFUSED.
AT last as night closed tho superior nuusbsrs Of The
rebels and not their good fighting qualities gained shon
| success Our zero SO exhausted with uavching,
countcrmarcbing and operating IN various ways that -
was much as they could do TO successfully DEFEND
themselves alone further Efforts 10 reake tho
train
At one time the train was in fair way OF being en-
trey saved but ewing TO excitablo skciadng pro
penses Of few OF the teamsters and tho effect o
their conduct others, kind Of panic was the result
| portion OF tho srsin saved Notwithstanding Tho
aforementioned misfortune.
On hearing OF the engagement Colonel Mugan ~
sent achievements TO Colonel snyder
Colonel Mulligan received information from Colonel
Thoburn that the post at Petersburg was again being
threatened, and that General Early reported have
moved In force on Wednesday last from tho noighbor
hood OF Harrison burg.
The rebo Generals Rosser and Gilmore arc said 70 be-
again in the saddle General Imboden Is also moving.
What General Kelley doing counteracs tho enemy's
movement will develop itself before long Thero a,ls
either be a severe eight or the enemy must retro In
haste.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT wesrsaN yiRsIHIA,l
Jan. dip. NJ
The command OF Colonel 1hoburn, which comprised
the garrison At Petersburg is oil safe Late last
night he evacuated the position consequence q recev
ing information that the enemy would positively attack
his works in heavy force at daygh. this mornIcg
Colonel Iboburns success In getting safely on with ala
his men, trains guns ammunition stores &C IS looked
upon as quite feat. While the enemy moving AMI
preparing TO make tho attack, he took mountain road
passed between two columns Of tho enemy and Is
10 a safe aud desirable position again.
General Early has been defeated for this
morning, by his orders, Petersburg was at.
tackled. The enemy cautiously approached tho
place. Colonel Thoburn having taken tho precaa,ion
make IL appear that the garrison SIN sherc. Tue
enemy opened on the place this morning with artillery,
add kept this up for some time shclng then formed Nc
lines, made regular approaches, and finally charged-on
nothing offensive than few dead mules and tho
debris OF n camp While this was going % eColonel
Thoburn within hearing. with his rcrcating column
OF the enemy's guns
Military Affairs are bright encouraging.
The weather bad, threatening rain
Major General Aroy made short speech this morning
in Cumberland in front Of the Revere House. 10 tho
Twelfth Virginia Volunteers Tbs Generals speech wa
very encouraging he said everything going right nov
Music, cheers, &C. we're among the pleasant features
he demonstration.
y
The Newspaper Despatch.
Wiaufv Ian