Washington telegraph., 1864-01-20

HE sAT.EA kAID.-Salcm IL the county seat
Of Roanoke county. Virginia. lying west from
Richmond amongst the mountains. The troops
came in, probably, from Western Virginia
RICHMOND. Dee. l4.--It is reported that Aver
i'll, with heavy force Of cavalry and mounted
infantry, l. moving in the direction of Lewis
burg. 1t is supposed he will make raid on the
Virginia and Tennessee railroad, If not prevent
ed ty counter movement from the Peninsula
RICHMOND, Dee. 1.-THE rad upon SaItm
has eau cd considerable sensation. and further
particulars are anyiously looked for The move
ment is regarded as the bolde-t attempt Ly The
enerny since the Grieraol ruid through Mseis-
sippi.
Il is '.elieved that Dr. Ruckor pilo,ed Averill
the course to pursue. and it il not improbable
that the enemy may attempt to go 10 North Ca
rolina, or Danville, Va.
LTNcHDURG, Dec 2O.-Spccial correspondence
OF the Nirginian. dated Salem 18th ult.. saws :
Wednesday morning the enrny's advance guard
came charging up Main street the main hoiv
following soon alter with pistols drawn ready Id
fire upon the citizens. who crowded the streets
They cut the telegraph wires and then proceed
ed 10 the depot, which WIS crowded with ladies
and gentlemen waiting Tie train They broke
open trunks and 4 .strnyed tha contents. setting
fire TO the building. They then formed line of
battle and planted batteries. consistiu. Of eight
pieces, On the hill, to hear on the expected
Iall. lHtF III ~ AhFEE SHOTS lN the tram, which
retired without damage. They opened many
stores, carried oil or destroyed ali the goods
and burned several barns one containing q
large lot Of tallow and oil. They also DESTROYED
= quantity of grain.
They were pilotfd By q man named Hal. Who
was ordnance officer OF this post under General
jenkins last spring. but deserted sOon after IL
the enemy. The enemy remained until : o'clock
IN the evening, when. hearing tat FitZnurh Lee
and Imboden were ia pursuit ~ lrfi. camping
about six miles from town tliat night They
shot about fifty hOrs,s before they left camp a.
they had more than they could get along with
SuppOsing they could not cross Craig's creek.
the way they came. they changed their course.
going in the direction Of Finca~tla The enemy
represented that they hid 900 men. but that
ihe: force had beel divided, and = portion
had gone III another direction.
Among the prisoners capturc,l.is Cnptain7ror-
teaux. A. y. ". # this post
LYNcHECKG. Dec. i2.--There Il hut little adj
ditional from The Salem raiders TUESDAY night
they surprised and fred into the camp OF Capt
White. Oh Catawha creek. and captured seven
teen men and about eleven horse. v;.ie, were
being recuprIaLcd
Farmers who have arrived from Bunyaek !
this evening. say The enemy are this side u
Craig's creek. eighteen miles from Salem. Nes
terday their camp was visible from the mola-
tains. Craig'S creek was rising rapidly yestar-
day, and il impossible at ne ford. which pre-
vents the enemy's further retreat by the New
castle road.
Passengers this evening report that the enemy
finding Craig's creek past fording. changed their
course for Catawba creek, and camped Thursday
night ten miles below Montgomery, White Sui
phur Springs The object Of taking this route
Is to strike the Salt Pond road leading towards
kansvha valley. Their capture j. confidently
expected It Is reported that there was skirnl-
ishing yesterday at Blacksbnrg.
RICHMOND. Dec. % A private dispatch from
Union. dated yesterday. says The yankees have
not been here. Averill il reported TO have
passed White Sulphur Springs on the goth, on
hls return. lie was badly worsted. 1t is report
ed one Of his largest regiments, the 4th Penn
sylvania, was cut off.