Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1864-02-15
THE NEWS.
FROM VIRGINIA.

FROM VIRGINIA.
On Saturday evening last, the enemy,
in heavy force, crossed the Rapid Ann at
three fords /: Morton's, Raccoon Ford and
Barnett's-the last about three miles
from orange Court House, and the others
lower down the river. At two Of the
fords, Morton's and Barnett's, the enemy
was repulsed and driven across the river.
1t is supposed that this movement was
merely intended to engage Lees attention,
and to cover important movements on the
Peninsula.
In the engagement at Barnett's Ford,
one yankee captain and thirty!nine pr-
Yates were captured.
The forces engaged on ou side, at this
point, consisted of Gen. Scales N. C.
Brigade and Gen. Lomax's cavalry. At
Morton's Ford, Gen. Edward Johnson's
Division, checked the enemy's advance
and pursued them beyond the river.
The casualties are reported as slight.
The following official despatch from
Gen. Lee, details the operations of Gen.
Rosser in the Valley, briefly announced
an 9nI last issue:
-w@y
CO0per:-On the 3Oth Gen. Rosser cap-
tured a train Of ninety three wagons
loaded with comrhissary stores and for
age, on their way from New Creek to
Petersburg, Hardy county. Also 800
mnles and twenty prisoners. The guard
OF eight hundred infantry escaped to the
mountains. Our loss twenty-five killed
and wounded. Information Of the advance
upon Petersburg having been received,
the garrison evacuated it during the
night. On the I'd Rosser DESTROYED the
bridges over Patterson's creek, and CAP
tured forty prisoners. Two hundred
and seventy prisoners, fifty wagons and
teams, twelve hundred cattle and five
hundred sheep have been brought Off
Gen. Rosser has shown great energy and
skill and deserves great credit.
r. E. LEE.
Another despatch announces the cap
. ture by our cavalry of a number of van.
KEGS, on Sunday last, near Kettle Run in
FauquIer county.
The Richmond Examiner of the stI
inst, gives the following account of thu
enemy's operations OH the Peninsula:
Some days ago . report was obtained
hy tho opthnr,fioc haro f-0,> W
deserter, that the enemy was contempla,
e. ting a raid, in considerable force, or
Richmond. The report obtained consis
tency from a number of circumstances
and impressed the authorities to such a
degree that a disposition of forces was
made to anticipate the supposed design:
of the enemy.
o. At nine o'clock Saturday night, 8
force Of the enemy, numbers not known
but consisting of cavalry with some ar
tillery, made a demonstration at Bot
toms bridge and drove in our pickets
A dispatch was also received earl,
Monday morning from General Wad
Hampton, at Hamilton'S Crossing, stain
that the enemy was threatening an ad
vance. \ train was dispatched to hi
relief
In the meantime, out of the excite
ment in Richmond had been suddenl,
produced the most wild and extravagan
rumors, the enumeration Of which woul,
be idle and tedious.
In the progress Of the day these re
ports assumed a more definite form
1t appeared that the enemy made anoth
or demonstration on Col. .Shingler'
lines, on Monday morning, and, in thi
instance, were Scpulsed,, some two o
three companies being engaged on on
side. ..'
The force Of the enemy was not I'm
covered, but as Gar as it could be pei
ceived consisted of five regiments, mos
ly cavalry it being doubtful, of cours,
whether they were only an advanc
guard or the entire force.
after their demonstration in the NOR,
ing at Bottoms bridge, the enemy, G
. considerable detachment of his cavalry