Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-03-17
Rebel Accounts Of KiIpatrIck,s
Raid.


JHE 1ANKEE hA1D-hICHMOND THREAT
ENED-FIGHTIsG AROUND THIS CTTY-IN-
TEREsTING DETAILS. Our last notice oftbe
movements Of the enemy closed with their
appearance at Frsderickshsll on the Central
Railroad, and the approach of another col
umn toward Charlottesville. The latter, we
learn, were met by our cavalry under Col.
Caskie and repulsed. At Prederickshall
they tore up the track for a considerable
distance, and, it is trustworthy reported,
captured and brought of several of our ef-
ficers and eight pieces Of artillery stationed
there, beside doing considerable damage by
destroying the carriages and otherwise rem
dering it unseryiceable for immediate use.
crossed the Central Railroad and divided
into two detachments, one moving in the d.
rection FLAMES River Canal, and the other
of Ashland, where it spent Monday night.
The force penetrated yesterday TUESDAY
A. N. to the farm of JHo. A. Seddon, Sec
retary of War, in Goochland county; burned
bis barn and stable, and it is reported by es-
capped men that his dwelling house was in
flames. They burned all the -four and saw
mills in the vicinity, including the Dover
flour mills and barns, and the mills ofStan-
dard & Morson; destroyed a number of
freight and other boats in the canal, and
did considerable damage to the iron works
at Mannakio. The only damage done to
the canal beside the destruction of boats
was cutting the lock at Simpson. General
b. A. Wise was at the time, on visit to
his son. .in-iaw, whose farm adjoins that of
Secretary Seddon, but fortunately became
apprised of their approach in time to make
his escape. He arrived ia the city yester-
day.
The other detachment that came to Ash
land was accompanied by battery of ar
tillery, and approached on the Brooke turn
pike, about six miles northwest of the city,
yesterday morning. They were promptly
met and kept in check, and finally hand
somely repulsed by portion of engineer
troops under Col. W. H. Stephens, who
manned few sections of light artillery. A
duel ensued, and shots we're exchanged for
about two hours. The enemy then with
drew in the direction Of Mechanicsville,
burning the trestle work of the Central
Railroad across the Chickahominy in their
retreat. Our loss in the fight on the Brooke
road was one killed and six or seven wound
ed, but we are unable to learn their names.
Neither the force nor the loss of the enemy
is yet ascertained, as they carried their dead
and wounded with them. Wecaptured two
prisoners, who were committed to Libby
Prison.
During the retreat of their column they
threw two or three shells at the dwelling
house of the Hon. James Lyons, which ex-
ploded in the yard without damage. They
stopped the carriage of Dir. John P. Bal
lard, took out both horses, and carried off
the horses of Mr.. Goddin. The latest re-
port We have from the retreating column is,
that they had halted five or six miles from
the city to take refreshments. They are
probably endeavoring to make their escape
by way of the White House. We omitted
to mention report that they saluted Camp
Lee with few shells, but this lacks con6r-
nation.
The detachment that went to Gcochland,
according to the statement of an escaped
prisoner, included large body Of negroes
mounted and armed. They seized and
brought with them a considerable number
of negroes as they passed through the coun-
try, as well as large number of horses,
which were brought into requisitien when
ever others were exhausted and gave out
Before leaving the Central Railroad they
impressed into service a negro guide to pilot
them to the vicinity of the city, where they
intended and expected to arrive last night,
to effect junction probably with column
from the direction of Ashland. The negro,
however, intentionally or ignorantly piloted
them in wrong direction, and they landed
in Goochland, as above stated, about day
light yesterday, for which they hung him
yesterday morning.
The body of raiders is under command of
General Fitzpatrick, celebrated in connection
with the raid of last spring, over very much
the identical route. Beside the general de
struction Of property, one Of the principal
objects of the raid was evidently the relase
of the prisoners in this city, but the plan
miscarried by the treachery or ignorance of
this negro guide. 1t is not to be supposed
that it could have been successful, had il
been otherwise. The whole fsrce is estima.
ted at about two large brigades, and what
ever the object, they have won title to
considerable boldness, 10 say the least Of it.
The Dispatch adds the following rumor,
which; if true, would have doubtless receiv.
ed confirmation before this:
Whilst in Gooehiand, Gregg's force burn.
ed the barn of Hon. j. A. Seddon. 1t is
also reported they carried off with them
Mrs. Patterson Allen. who is under indict.
ment for treason in the Confederate Court
This is only rumor, and should bo received