Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-20


command. In the meantime the Fifty
ninth and Twenty-sixth Virginia regi-
ments, and company of the Holcombe
(South Carolina) Legion, all under the COM
mand of Colonel Tabb, had reached Motto
way river bridge, and upon Spears return
they were prepared to receive him. A Sc
we're battle ensued, which lasted four hours.
This was Sunday. By means of their ar
tillery (several pieces) the enemy managed
to destroy the bridge, but they were su6se-
quently so terribly mauled that they had to
send in flag of truce to ask permission to
bury their dead, which they were allowed
to do, and then they retreated In an easter
ly direction, on the north side of the river.
Their loss must have been pretty heavy
Our loss was four killed. The number
wounded we have not yet heard. Among
the latter were the following officers:-
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Jones, Fifty
ninth Virginia, in leg; Captain J. W. Mad
dux, Company X, Fifty-ninth Virginia, In
breast; Lieutenant Bryant, Company X,
Fifty-ninth Virginia, in breast; Lieutenant
Tally, Company G, Fifty-ninth, in shoulder.
Part of the papers and books belonging
to the Sussex county clerks office. which
was burnt on Saturday, were left by the
enemy at Stony creek, and thereby saved.
The enemy also burnt Sussex Court House.
1t is now believed that Spear is on his re-
turn to Suffolk, or Norfolk to make report
OF his brilliant operations to headquarters:
On Monday, at twelve O'clock, Spear and
his command were at the farm of Major b.
w. Belsches'. in Sussex county, about twelve
or fourteen miles from Stony creek. They
had DESTROYED Major BIS handsome dwell
ing, his mill, all his outhouses, and COM
mitted many other depredations. 1t is also
stated that Spears ire was particularly ex-
cited against Major B. because he had heard
that it was through the latter's instrument
ality his movements had been reported.
At Jarratt's depot, besides the depot, wa
ter tanks, wood sheds, etc., they burnt the
residences of Mr.. VIM. Jarratt, II. Field,
and Others.
1t is hardly probable that he will return
to the railroad. as at all points that thorough
fare is too well guarded. He has doubtless
gone back to Suffolk, or may endeavor to
form junction with the troops now at
Citv Point and Bermuda Hundred.
A fight occurred at Swift creek, three
miles from Petersburg, on Monday. 1t last
ed with more or less vigor for some two or
three hours at this point, and skirmishing,
more or less sharp went on upon the north
side of the creek, nearly to Fort Clifton.
Our troops at the close of the day occupied
the position they held before the fight be-
gan, and we are glad to believe that our loss
THE CAVALRY RAID-sTRENGTH OF THE ENE-
MY-THEIR APPROACH TO THE CITY
FIGHTING NEAR THE FoRTIFICATIoNs.
The cavalry raid, numbering four thou
sand men, under Generals Custar and Nor
rill, which was first heard from at Beaver
Dam, arrived at Ashland yesterday morn
ing, where fight occurred, the result Of
which is given in the following telegram
from General Stuart:
HEADQUARTERS, ASHLAND,
May IL, $3.50 A. NJ.
To General Bragg:
GENERAL-The enemy reached this point
Just before us, but were promptly whipped
out after sharp fight by Colonel Munford
(Fitz Lees advance), killing and capturing
quite number.
General Gordon is in the immediate rear
of the enemy. inter sect the road the enc
my is marching on, at Yellow Tavern, the
head of the turnpike, six miles from Rich
mond. .
My men and horses are tired, hungry and
jaded, but all right.
J.E.B. STUART.
About nine o'clock General Stuart arriv-
ed in the enemy's rear on the Brook road,
and General Gordon in their rear on the
Mountain road. The two roads join at the
Brook turnpike at the Yellow Tavern,
about six miles from Richmond, and the
| intention of the enemy was to come down
| the turnpike, cross the Brook bridge, go
| around to the Meadow Bridge road, and
thence down the Peninsula. This plan was
| frustrated by the burning of the Meadow
bridge by our troops. This fact being dis
covered, the only mode of retreat was to
beat General Stuart at Yellow Tavern and
| l. fnt, 1n a.
attack the battery at the Brook turnpike
and cut their way through.
The former mode was tried, and about 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon they attacked
General Stuart, who, with Lomax's and
| Wickham's brigades, repulsed them. The
! fight was a very hot one, lasting over an
| hour. Among our casualties were Lieu
tenant Colonel H. G. Pate and five Captains
killed.
On their route from Ashland General
Gordon, who was in their rear, attacked
them three times, using them up badly ev-
cry time.
There had been no more fighting up to
late hour last night, nor had the enemy
made another effort to break out at Yellow
Tavern.
All the damage done by the raiders on
the Central road has been repaired, and the
road will probably be in running order to-
day.
THE FIGHT AT FORT CLIFToN-GUNBoAT
BURNED.
A fight occurred at Fort Clifton on Mon
day last--a point few miles above City
| Point, OH the Appomattox river. The fol-
| lowing letter from the officer in command
gives the particulars of the affair:
Fort CLIFTON, May 8, 1854, 5
I cannot refrain from writing you line
as - goes in to tell you how God has
blest us this day. My heart is gushing in
gratitude for his kindness and protection,
and for the signal victory he gave us over
the enemy.
/ was attacked this morning on the left
by battery of six rifled guns. Finding
that nv pieces on this side could not reach
them, put my men under cover, and they
soon got tired of shelling us. After things
had auieted down / had just got to my left
three quarters of mile off, when fleet of
gunboats appeared in the river. engaged
them for five or six hours, crippling one,
which got away, and driving. back all the
rest. save one, which disabled. started
with twenty men to board her, when she
took fire from one of my shells, was aban-
doned by the enemy, and burnt to the wa
ter's edge. The river here is now quite
clear, but am hard at work, &c.