Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-08
From the Petersburg Express, I'd inst.

| FROM THE FRONT.
The BALD ON STONY CREEB-EEsTRUCT1ON OF
| PROPERTY AND sTOREs-BRIDGE BURNED-THE
| ENEMY RETIRE.
The raid of the enemy on Stony Creek day before
yesterday wac no less matter OF surprise than of re-
greet TO the community. The event caused GOO deal
excitement both In the army and among citizens
ne particulars were eagerly sought after yesterday
Inc main facts are all that have TRANSFERRED and for
/ Tuil details we shall have to wait until to day
| Early on Thursday morning the enemy in large force
consisting OF cavalry, infartry ard artillery, moved
down the Jerusalem Plank road, and divergcd thence
the country, crossing The Notoway river road
Ihey then pushed forward with all haste towards Stony
creek Station, before which they appeared about II
O'Clock in the daY.
We had some Notifications at the creek, constructed
TO guard the bridge at that point we'll protect
the government stores less Of which are
stantiy on hand there. The works were manned by a
very small force-seme three or four hu1drtd meu-
With few or no pieces Of artillery. On irving at the
station, the enemys artillery at placed in ELI
gibe positions, and opened upon the garrison while the
Infantry and cavalry succeeded in fankng and almost
surrounding the place. The garrison fought the over
powerlDg odds as long as they any hope ard then
attempted to Themselves but upwards OF two hun
dred captured and the enemy were soon ia posses
sion OF the station and bridge
The work of destruction was at once commenced and
The railroad and GOV eminent depots together with the
bridge were soon n mes and entirely destroyed We
have Tot learned whether he other buildings belonging
which is large, substantial structure, will prove
heavy loss to the railroad company, indepe ndent Of
Other losses they suffered We understand seVera
perhaps a tall train-wtra captured and burned
| The government Il ses several thousand bushels Of
corn, some wheat, four bacon and forage Ibe enemy
did not nod as large quantity of government stores
they had. no doubt antIc pated. Corn and forage for
the cavalry only are transported over this route, and
but small quantities allowed to collect there at
any time Being nearer to the creek than any other
We rgret also TO state, that several Of our citizens
met With teavV losses, aud many with the loss of pro-
visions and clothing which they could ill afford to spare
One lost fifty odd barrels of OIL worth 10 this market
one thousand dollars per barrel Another lost between
thirty ard forty thousand dollars of liquor. A large
quantity OF -four and fish, belonging to private par;F
was also destroyed AS far as it went, the destruction
complete
portion of the railroad track beyond Stony Greek
Was torn up, but not much it is believed. Il is not
stated whether any portion OF our wagon train cap
tured or not.
1t was fully one O'Clock before our forces could be
gotten IN readiness to march upon the rading party at
which hour Gen. W. F. III. Lees division OF cavalry
moved Zen Lee arrived at Stony Greek, hoRever,
10 lind the enemy retiring, and udispo5e TO give bat
tie Some skIEmlshiDg ensued forces captured
lew prisoners and lUH cted loss in killed md
wounded upon the Yankees. Gen Lee pressed them
SO rapidly that they were compelled to leave their dead
and most of their wouuded behind. He con inned 70
press them, and at last accounts was in rapid pursut
harassiDg their rear.
The acton of the enemy, il destroy ing the property
1T Stony Greek, AMI then retreaing, shows that heir
object raid. 1t was at first applehe1 led
that something more ious intended, probably
heavy thanking column On long detour, t;i5 to
Withdraw attention from oher movements, or perhaps
to attsmpl permanent occupation of the position.
Ii was currently reported yesterday, that a column
OF this raldlng party had struck In the direction
Of the South Side railroad We learn, upon enquiry
at Headquarters, that there is not word of truth in
he statement. body raiding in that direction now
would stand no earthly chance OF escape.