The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-07-04
Hunters Expedition.
THE EXPEDITION TO LYNcHDURG.
Two Days Fighting at Lynohburg
sAFEARRIVAL Ar GAULEY

SAFE ARRIVAL AT GAULEY.
ICorresuondsucs Of the Cinoinnsth Gazetts]
GAuLEY, West VIRGINIA, June 18th
The expedition 10 ovsr-our work is done
and for the present the command il rest
ing on its arms and trophies. a
As I learn that none of my letters or
dispatches since that of June 9th has as yet
reached you, will commence with that
date, and give as concise q history Is poasl
bic of our three weeks operations.
On Friday morning, June llth, the con-
solidated commands of Crook ana SuihVan
the latter having the old Sigel d,VlsionL
all under Hunters control-lnarched ous
with q, ing colors and hopeful spirits from
Staunton on the road through, Middlebook
IN Lexington. Three miles from town the
rebels were posted behind rail breastworks,
anparently intending to make serious op"
nosition to our progress. AS it was how
over our steady advance rapidly dislodged
them. and we drove them before rs, scarce
" allowing them to halt to fire upon u.s.
Seventeen miles from Staunton they
managed to kill two and wound two OF our
men, when strong force of cavalry was
sent forward to charge and route them,
which done, they troubled US no more that
day. The force in front Of US We ascertain
ed to be merely McCausland's brigade,
whose only object seemed to be to delay
our advance as much as possible. Oh the
morning of the 18th, Gen. Crooks division
being in the advance, approached Lexing>
ton about eleven o'clock, and heavy
cloud of smoke rising in front of us reveal
ed the destruction Of the bridge leading
over the James into the town. On the
high banks opposite, with glasses, we could
easily perceive rebel sharpshooters. The
!, only ford is about mile above the site of
the bridge, and to this ford the Second
Brigade is sent, while the Thirty'slxth
Ohio is placed on the main road to occupy
the lrebels there. As the Tbirty-sixth
, drew near the banks, rebel shell was sent
80 exactly in range of their position as to
wound six and kill one. Captain McMullen
was ordered up with one section of artille-
~, and proceeded at once most effectually
to silence the rebels. Some of them were
on top of the Virginia Military Institute,
but few shells quickly drove them from
. their high position, and about 2 o'clock
they, learning of the I'd Brigade's having
cross tho ford, rapidly skedaddlcd, leaving
the town to our quiet occupation.
Sunday the Institute buildings and Gov.
. Letcher's house were burned, ten minutes
time being given to remove any property
from the latter. In the afternoon contra
band brought in word that seven canal boats
we're hidden nine miles of, deeply laden
: with stores, etc. To secure these Captain
3 Blazer, with his scouts, was sent out and
skirmishing the whole route, he found The
boats as reported. Burning five of them.
he dismounted bis men and hauled the re-
? naming two to Lexington. In them were
A six cannons-two six>pounders, one twelve
FOUNDER and three mountain howitzers-
nine thousand rounds of ammunition, tor
and half Of powder, and comlnissary
stores in great variety and abundance. Gen
:. Duffie reoined US here, having marched
through Waynesboro' on to the Charlottes.
vile & Lynchburg railroad, tearing up a
small portion of the latter and capturing q
8 good part of Jacksons' wagon train.
J, Tuesday evening We camped at B Buchanan
=. Averill coming in before US capturing the
Confederate Navy records of6l and '62, to-
gether with twelve more canal boats heavi
y laden with provisions.
D On the 18th, while We were hating at
the base of the Peaks Of Otter, information
was received that Breckenridge with 10000
men was at Balcony Falls, intending to at,
tack US on our tanks. In good position
. for defense, Gen. Crook awaited Gen. Hun
3 ter's and the other division. The whole
command then being assembled, and no foe
appearing, We once more marched forward
stopping for the night at fancy Farm, alI
most at the base of the Peaks of Otter.
Thursday noon we entered Liberty, with
bands playing "Hail Columbia" yankee
Doodle" &c. Hating, the whole command
proceeded to tear up and demolish the rail.
road, including bridge 700 feet long. For
seven miles the work is maintained. and
night closed in upon scene of smouldering
timbers, ties, and hopelessly bent and twist
ed rails.
Early on the morning of the 18th having
heard from Averill that the enemy were
drawn up in good number in front of him
at New London, We marched, Crooks d.
vision in advance, by road not laid down
on maps, along the north of the railroad,
crossing at James Church. This move.
ment tending to bring US in the rebel rear,
caused them to retire toward Lynchburg.-
Cutting across the country we endeavored
to intercept their retreat, but arrived Just
too late on the main road. Stopping here
for dinner We were within about seven
miles Of the city on the road to New Lon>
don. The pickets Of the two parties were
so close that various uncomplimentary re-.
marks were passed quite freely from one to
the other. At4 o'clock, with the elst
Ohio, I'd brigade Of Crooks division in ad.
vance we moved out on the road, and in
about two miles the rapid firing in front
told US that VIC were near the enemy's first
position. They opened on US with a vigor
Gus cannonade. having evidently obtained
the range Of all prominent points in our
lines by previous practice. The Sd Bri
gade being placed on the left of the road,