The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-01-04
The Raid in sOurhwestern Virginia.

Prom ths LynOlburz virEnian, Dee. p
On Monday, the 18th, the enemy
since ascertaiDed to CONSIST Of Gillem s,
stoneman's and Burbridge's forces
concentrated at Beans station, advanc-
ed eastward Vaughn was at Green
vile and Dukes brigade at Rogersville
The movement was rapid, and Duke
being in their route was forced back to
Kingsport, when, on the 18Th. he was
attacked and suffered a repulse. The
enemy thus got ahead Of Vaughn, aud
N the morning Of the l4th entered
Bristol On the next night he entered
Abingdon. Duke falling back towards
Abingdon. General Breckenridge, at
"ytheyille, apprised Of the advance,
It once began TO concentrate his troops
or the defence Of Saltville. On the af-
Jernoon Of the l4th he started BY train
for that point himself arriving at Glade
Springs that night late, he barely es-
capped capture and reached Glade
Springs shortly after daylight on the
18th. The force Of the enemy, after
leaving Abingdon, divided into two
columns-one threatening Saltville, the
other going to Glade Springs and TO
wards WytheVills At three P. n the
enemy entered Marion, twenty-six
miles west Of Wytheville, and detached
force, which was sent southeast, to-
wards the lead mines. Meanwhile Gen.
erai Vaughn, leaving Bristol to his left,
arrived in front of Marion, and, sup
P )sing the main column had gone to
tne lead mines, pursued the detach-
ment with his main force, leaving Colo
mel Gillespie with the remainder Of his
Command at Marion On the morning
o. the 10th, at daylight, Colonel Giles
Die was attacked and repulsed, retreat
ing towards Wythegille, sixteen miles
distant. There were no troops at this
point, the railroad uperintendent hav>
ing failed TO send them from Dublin.
For want Of cars, also, but a portion of
"a stores could he removed from
Wytheville.
The retreat of Gillespie was so rapid
and the pursuit Of the enemy so close
that the former arrived at Wytheville
at halfpast eleven A. N, a1d passed
through the town in a stampede, all ef-
forts to rally them failing The enemy
appeared at one P. NJ, their videttes ap-
preaching very cautiously. Major John
stOn, "A. A. G.; of Breckinridge's staff,
with half dozen officers and men, re-
NAMED, and by standing picket at the
west end Of the town, in sight of the
Yankees, detained them from coming
in for two hours. The town was by this
time cleared At three P. N. Major
johnson having Withdrawn to the east
of the town, Gen. Gillem sent in q flag
of truce, which MAJOR Johnston re-
ceived through Captain Semple and
Major Mcmahon, of Gen. Breckinridge's
staff The unconditional surrender Of
the town was demanded, with, guaran-
tee of security to private property and
citizens. Maj. Johnston replied, agree |
ing to surrender the town on those con
ditions, provided he was allowed half
an hour in which to withdraw his forces
After much deliberation Gen Gillem
declined to give the time asked, but to
respect private property and citizens.
Major Jshuston, having gained more |
than an hour for the retreating cavalry /
and trains, withdrew his forces, six all |
told, and came on towards Dublin I
The enemy adhered TO his terms, and 4
disturbed 20 private property. When |
Giilem found out tho rUse that had |
been practissd upon him, he was more
amused than incensed
On Saturday morning before day |
light, the enemy, after burning the
railroad depot, ordnance and medical |
buildings, retired as he came, first |
sending a detachment of two hundred /
to the lead mines General Vaughn /
was at this important point, but, be
lieving exaggerated reports Of the enc
my's strength, retreated on his sp !
proach. The damage to the mines was
slight, and can soon be repaired. The |
enemy retired towards Marion, doubt /
less to effect a junction with the main
force and capture Saltville; but at last
accounts this important point was safe,
aud General Breckenridge had repulsed .
the enemy on several occasion. The |
raid is ably conducted, the force NOV (
ing RAPIDLY and doing but little pillsg 4
Ing.