The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-08
GEN. HUNTERS EXPEDITION
Two Days Fighting at Lynch
burg.
Loss Of Artillery at Salem.
Arrival Of the Forces at Gauley.
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.

GAuLKY, WEST VIRGINIA. June %.
On Friday morning. June 18th, the consoli-
dated commands of Crook and Suilivan-the
latter having the old Sigel DIVISIONAL under
Hunters control, marched out with flying CO.
lors and hopeful spirits from Staunton, on the
road through MiddletroOk to Lexington. Gen.
Crooks division being in the advance, ap
preached Lexington about eleven o'clock, and
heavy cloud OF smoke rising in front of us
revealed the destruction of the bridge leading
over the James into the town. The only ford
is about mile above the site of the bridge,
and to this ford the I'd brigade is sent. About
two o'clock the rebels learning of the I'd bri-
gade having crossed the ford, rapidly skedad.
died, leaving the town to our quiet occupation.
Sunday, the Institute buildings and Governor
Letcher's house were burned. In the after
noon cOntraband brought in word that seven
canal boats were hidden nine miles of. deeply
laden with stores, &c. To secure these, Capt.
Blazer with his scouts was sent out, and skir-
mishing the whole route, he found the boats
as reported. Burning five of them he dis
mounted his men and hauled the remaining
two to Lexington. In them were six cannons
two six-pOunders, one twelve-pOunder and
three mountain hOwitzers-nine thousand
rounds of artillery ammunition, ton and o
half OF powder and cOmmissary stores in great
variety ard abundance. Gen. Duffie rejoined
us here, having marched through Waynesboro',
on to the Charlottesville and Lynchburg Rail-
road, tearing up small portion of the latter
and capturing good portion of Jackson's
wagon train.
Tuesday evening we camped at Buchanan.
Averill coming in before us captured the Con-
federate navy records of 81 and 81, together
with twelve more canal boats heavily laden
with provisions.
On the 10Th, we marched forward, stopping
for the night at fancy Farm, almost at the base
of the Peaks of Otter.
Thursday noon we entere Liberty, with
bands playing Hail Columbia, ""Yankee Doc
de-" &C. Hating, the whole command pro-
coed to tear up and demOlish the railroad, in
GLIDING bridge 700 feet long. For seven miles
the work is maintained, and night closed on a
scene of smouldering timbers, ties, and hope
lessly bent and twisted rails.
Early on the morning of the 18th, having
heard from Ayerill that the enemy were drawn
up in good number in front OF him at New
London we marched, Crooks division in ad
vance, along the north of the railroad, cross
ing at James Church. This movement, tend
ing to bring us in the rebel rear, caused them
to retire toward Lynchburg. Cutting across
the country we intercept their retreat, but ar
rived just too late on the main road. Stop
ping mere for dinner, We were within ABOUT
seven miles of the city on the road to New
London. At o'clock, with the 31st Ohio, I'd
brigade of Crooks division, in advance, we
moved out on the road and in about two miles
the rapid firing in front LOld US we were near
the enemy's first position. They opened on us
with vigorous cannOnade, having evidently
obtained the range of all prominent points in
our lines by previous practice. The Sd brigade
being placed on the left of the road, the I'd on
the right, the order to charge was given. The
main opposition was found on our right, the
91st and 18th Ohio suffering most severely.
The Sd brigade having little but skirmishing,
as it was on this first charge, the rebels were
driven back nearly two miles to their line OF
oreastwOrks, the 91st Ohio CALAMITY capturing
and bringing Oft the field rifled gun made in
Llverpool-Biakeley's patent.
by the time our men were safely posted, and
rested from their arduous three hours work
Inc moon had long been shining and the thick
darkness OF the woods in our front and the un-
known character of the ground, forbade any
iuftnsr operations for the night. By this time
the three b,igades of Crooks division, being
encamped In line of battle in the advance were
renewed oy the first division, and the men
camped and passed the nigh. Quietly enough.
save occasional shots.
During the whole night the locomotive
whistle told us OF the arrival of heavy REIN
forcements, that were greeted with continual
cheers Ut welcome by the foe in our front
Saturday morning came bright and clear and
AFTER an Gu ,ly breakfast l rode ont tn tom
pOrary hospital on the roadside. No FIRING of
any Consequence happened during the entire
mOrniug-Gne time being occupied In chanvinv
the position Of our various brigades so "a to
best use them against the enemys rapidly ev-
Tending line. All this time sharp skirmishino
fire Was kept up In our immediate front and
centre. wn,le louder report, followed by the
OmiuUus whistle, told of the rapid fight of