Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-07-08
The ENEMY in the Valley.

The occupation Of the Valley Of Virginia
has long been much desired object with
the Yankee Nation. Many have been thor
attempts to obtain full possession Of it and
as often have they been sent back bowling
to the banks OF the Potomac. But few
weeks since they essayed it agsin snd met
| an inyincible host Of heroes under Dreckin
ridge. at New Market, whence they fed,
whipped and demoralixed, 10 their old re.
treat
From some. to us. hconprehensible
cause, soon thereafter. nearly ell tho forces
who had gained this glorious victory over
the army of Siegel. were Withdrawn from
our midst and as soou began the reorgaui
cation Of siegel's routed troops under the
renegade Hunter. They advanced, aud
nc handful Of men under Imboden, left
hero so protect ono Of the richest and most
important portions Of the State, we're com
PEELED to fall back 10 point In She rear, Sc
leoted and fortified for the purpose Of Civ
ing the invaders battle. The enemy at
empted aud nearly succeeded in Aankinp
this position when the movement vas dis
covefed. Our small forces, then reinforced
by Gen. VIM II: Jones command and the
RESERVES Of this and adjoining counties,
nTosed TO meet them, and an engagement.
took place near Piedmont, abou. eleven
miles distant from Staunton. The enemv,s
different charges had been rcpulsed and in
short time Che victory would have been
ours. (the enemy having commenced making
preparations to retreat,) when. from some
unaccountable cause, some OF our forces
gave way and lost both the day and ohe TEN
rofary possession Of the Valley, Ssaunton
was occupied by them the next day. our
forces having fallen back towards Fishers
vile, when they commenced that ince ndiar-
Ism and thieying which has characterized
this raid of Hen-roost Hunter and makes
him as deservedly odious as Beast Butler
BY Hunters order the fine mill Of J. & r.
i. Walker. near Mt Meridian, was burned .
also. the Woolen Factory of Crawford and
Young, the Steam Mill. Steam DistiIlery
Government Workshops, Stables and Forage
houses. the Stage Stables Of J I. A. Trot-
ter together with twenty.eix coaches. ans
tho HaIroad Depn1s. Gall in Staunton } and
the large mill Of ". F. Smith in The town
Of Greenville.
They destroyed the truck Of the Railroad
west OF THU place. at intervals to Goshen.
burning the bridges at Swoopc's, Craiys-
v'lle and Goshen. aud destroyed a numbee
OF culverts and small bridges at different
points on the road Fast Of Stanton, they
tore up the track, bending the rails, TO
thristiy's Creek, burning the bridge over
the same and the Depot ut Fishersville.
They broke open the stores here, taking
whatever they wanted and leaving the rest
q prey to an accompanying rabbie, cut to
pieces md destroyed the machinery of the
Shoe Factory. and broke the presses Of the
Spectator and tindicator, throwing the
type Of the former into the street.
BY an order from Gen. Hunter to take
all the provisions from each family. leaving
Only three days rations. they robbed the
man cf means and widow with her mite OF
whatever their lurder contained. leaving but
a scanty supply, save where the humanity
q sons efseer, to whom the execution Of