Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-21
THE NEWS.


THE NEWS.
GLORIOUS NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA
BATTLE NEAR BENToNVILLE-THE enc
Ny DRIVEN ONE MILE-GAILANTRY OF
THE CONFEDERATE TROOPS, ETC.
The following official telegram was received at the
War Department last evening
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES C. S.,
March 10th, 1865.
Ion. J. C.. Breckenridge,
Secretary Of Var:
Gen. J. Z. Johnston reports that about ) p. NJ.
on the 18th inst. he attacked the enemy near Ben
tauvilie and routed him, capturing three guns
A mile in the rear he rallied upon fresh troops,
bur was forced back slowly until P. NJ, when,
receiving more troops, he apparently assumed the
offensive, which was resisted without difficulty un-
til dark,
This morning he is intrenched.
Our loss is small.
The troops behaved admirably we'll.
Dense thickOts prevented rapid operations.
r. +. LEE.
The above telegram conveys highly cheering
news, t us that some portion of the
Inkee force which has been stirling through the
CUOlnas without formidable resistance has, at
length, me, with decided check
The despatch does not inform us whether the
column encountered was Sherman's or Schofeld's,
ana our previous INFORMATION from North Carolina
does not enlighten on this poInt.
Beutonville, near which the conflict occurred, is
small village in johnson county, three miles west
Of the Neuse river, and some thirty miles southeast
Of Raleigh.
We know that Sherman was at Fayetteville somt
daysago, aud as Fayetteville is little west of due
south OF Raleigh, the presumption is that Sherman
diTerged from the straight line to Raleigh, and NOV
Cd towards the Neuse for the purpose OF forming
junction with Schodeld, who was supposed to be
marching from Kinston towards GOldsboro', for the
purpose of forming junction with Sherman Ben.
Ionville is 10 miles west OF GOldsboro' Ii NAV,
therefore, have been either column but the proba-
b,htieS are that the enemy's main arm under Sher-
man was struck by the Confederate forces who
were concentrated, we suppose and led against the
advancing column under the immediate command of
Gen. Johnston.
. The attack was evidently bold and vigorous; and,
in one hours time, the enemy's advance was hurled
hack in confusion upon the troops in the rear To
this extent il was "a routn
The approach of nigh; and the densely wooded
character Of the country prevented Gen Johnston
ICON following up the advantage gained as COM
pletely as be would otherwise have done.
Very little artillery used on either side, hence
oaly three guns captured by the Confederates
during the flight of the enemy.
The effort 20 change the fortunes Of the battle
with fresh troops unavailng. Still The Con.
f-derates pressed on, and the Yankees receded
before the bayonets OF our brave men, until the
accession of additional divisions from the rear en-
abled the enemy to make some resistance, which
does not appear 10 have been very vigorous or ef.
fictye.
Darkness caused a suspension of hOstiIihes, and
cur troops remained masters of the field. They
fought bravely, and sustained but slight loss The
enemy must have lost heavily.
During the night the Yankees threw up intrench.
uents, which is a sure indication of their discom-
htnre.
one thing is certain We have gained an import
ant success, and the whole country will award mer-
tied praise and honor TO Gen Johnston and his
heroic army
sHERIDANS RAID SOS
The Dynchburg FirgiEiaF learns that Mr.. Lemu-
Turner, at the mouth Of Tye river, lost 81 hogs
heads Of tobacco, burnt by the Yankee raiders
They also destroyed the guard lock at New Market
aud et in the river upon the lands of John Fry, W
u. Caben, Mayo Cabell and Dr. Horsley, utterly
destroying the growing wheat crop. As heretofore
reported, they destroyed all the mills in their
route, except the Midway Mills, the best on James
river, owned by Northern man named Faber, sup
posed to be in sympathy with his section. The
canal is much injured, but if the Government will
assist the Company, it will soon be put in order.
A complete rec nnoissanee Of the Orange and
Alexsndria railroad shows that all the bridges be-
tween Charlottesville and North Garden were des-,
troyed, including the large structures over North
and South Hardware, ROckish, Tye river. Turner's
creek aud Bufialo-agEegatin sbOut 1900 feet In
$3.50 -