The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-08
FROM THE S0UTH.
Rebel Report az General Averiil'S
Raid ia Southwest Virginia.
THR ENEMY AT SALEM, vA.--IHg DEPOT
BURNED, ETC.

BURNED, ETC.
LYNCHBURG, Va. Dec. 16 1868.
force OF the enemy. supposed 10 number
three thOuSand-cavalry and mounted infantry
under Averili reached Salem, ON the Vr-
ginia and Tennessee Railroad, this morning at
half past ten O'Clock. A train. with troops
from this city, approached within sight of the
depot, and was fired at. The depot, contain
ing considerable quantity of produce and the
government depot, adjoining were burned at
that time.
Telegraphie communication having been in.
terrupted, nothing has been heard since.
The enemy camped last night at Nason's
cave about four miles from Salem.
During their stay at Salem they DESTROYED
two car loads of commissary and large amount
Of quartermaster stores, including a consider
able amount of leather and great quantity of
produce belonging to the merchants Of Lynch
burg, which was stored in the depot, which
was destroyed.
LYNCHBURG, Dec. IL, 1863.
The enemy, $500 strong, with several pieces
of artillery, under Averill, who were at Salem
yesterday, left there last night, retreating by
the Sweet Springs and Newcastle oad-the
same way the came. They will have to cross
both Craig and Sinking creeks, which are be-
lieved to be greatly swollen by the recent rains
AYNCHBURG, Dec 49, 1863
We have various reports from Salem. The
courier who arrived at BOnsack's reports the
enemy returning; but persons who left Salem
this morning state that there was no enemy
there. The damage done to the railroad dur
ing their visit was not considerable.
The track was torn up for one hundred
yards about the depot, and the bridge over
Roanoke river and Alason's creek two miles
this side of town, and another small bridge,
were destroyed, and a few telegraph poles cut
down. Pitzer'S large flour mill McClanaban's
store and three small buildings were burnt:
also, seventytive government wagons. Thos.
Chapman, citizen, was killed the prisoners
in the Jail liberated, among them was few
Yankee prisoners.
A number of citizens and some furloughed
and wounded soldiers wee taken PRISONERS.
but the citizens have returned A number of
negroes were carried Off
1t is said that the enemy's forces did not
exceed 1,e0O. Reports of their returning to
Salem are conflicting.
LYNCHBURa, Dec 49, 1868.
We have but little additional with respect to
the Salem raiders. On Tuesday night they sur
prised and fired into the camp of Capt. White
on Catawba creek, and captured seventeen men
and about one hundred horses, which were be-
ing recuperated. Farmers who arrived at
BOnsack's this evening say that the enemy
were on this side O. Craig's creek. eighteen
miles from Salem, at noon yesterday Their
camp was visible from the mountains Craigs
creek was rlSlng TapluIy yesterday, and ImpOS-
sible to ford, which prevents the enemy's fur
ther retreat on the Newcastle road.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Passengers this evening report that the enc.
my, finding Craig's creek past fording, chang
ed their course up the Catawba, and camped on
Thursday night ten miles below Montgomery
White Sulphur Springs their object in taking
this route is to strike the Salt Pond road. lead.
ing towards the Kanawha Valley. Their cap-
ture is confidently expected. Reported Skin
mishing yesterday at Blacksburg.
LYNCHBURG, Dec 20. 1863.
A special correspondent of the Hiroin;an.
dated Salem, Dec. IS, says that on Wednesday
morning the enemy's advance guard charged
up Main street, the main body following soon
after with pistols drawn ready to fire upon
the citizens who crowded upon the streets
They broke open the Post Office, cut the tele-
graph wires, and then proceeded to the depot.
which was crowded with ladies and gentlemen
awaiting the train. They broke open trunks.
destroyed their contents, and set fire to the
building. They forced a line of battle and
planted battery of eight pieces of artillery on
hill to bear on the expected train. When
the train came in sight they fired eight shots
at it. but it retired without damage.