Year: 1863

at the White House left 10 the same direc-
ton, and passed Old Church about break
fast time, 1t is believed by some that both
parties met near Hanover Court House,
and, on the other hand, it is supposed that
the two divisions took different routes. This
latter supposition is strengthened by the
fact that our .pickets at Mechanicsville, four
miles from Richmond, were driven in early
in the day, and three of them captured.
Before leaving the White House, they
tore up the track from there to Tunstall's
Station, distance of four miles. The ru-
NOR yesterday that they brought two~loco:
motives and cars with them on their gun.
boats, and had put them on the road, is Of
course unfounded, as they did not leave the
track down to use. They also burnt the
store Of Mr.. Dabney at Tunstalps Station,
with full stock of goods. which the pro.
prietor had only received the day before
The excuse for this vandalism was that the
building contained the Postoffice. They
did not rob the money drawer of the store,
something most remarkable for Yankee.


Late last evening train arrived at the
depot from Dispatch Station, and we learn
by it that gentleman during the day rode
down to within 500 yards of the White
House, and found that there we're but two
wooden gunboats lying there. Not a Yam
kee soldier was to be seen. Those who saw
the troops land from the gunboats say there
were not more, aud probably less than 5000.
1t is more than likely that the Yankees will
attempt to get through to Acquia Creek,
and there embark in safety on their gum
boats. Yesterday afternoon there was not
even Yankee picket to be seen from Tun-
stalls to the White House. The two gun
boats there are probably left to cover their
embarkation at that point, should they be
intercepted in their way through by our
troops.


There has been very little damage done
by the Yankees in the vicinity Of the White
House and Tunstall's Station, they being
restrained, perhaps, by the knowledge that
our army is in their country now. They
burnt some straw at the White House be.
fore leaving.


Between IL and l o'clock the presence
of the enemy at Hanover Station, eight
miles this side of the Junction, was ascer-
tanned by tie interruption of telegraphic
communication. It then became apparent
that danger of the destruction of the South
Anna bridge, on the Central Railroad, was
imminent, and the commandant at Hanover
Junction was directed to concentrate his
forces-one regiment being all that he had
at his commaud-for its protection and de-
fence, whilst troops from other quarters were
gotten together ard hurried off in the d.
rection of the threatened point. At O.
clock dispatch was received from Col. D..
j. Goodwin, commanding the forces at the
bridge, that the enemy had made an attack
aud the fight was then going on, and con-
cludlug with an appeal for reinforcements
to be hurried up.


&. Trains were dispatched with troops both
on the Central and Fredericksburg Roads,
and it was hoped they would arrive in time
to resist the attack Of the enemy, aud save
the bridges from destruction. The Central
Road was regarded as being in the most
imminent danger, and the !arger!nupber of
well equipped and thoroughly organized
troops were sent by this route, under the
command of Colonel Gilmer, 9th North
Carolina regiment The train bearing this
force left the depot in this city about 6 O.
clock, but were too late to relieve the small
force contending with the enemy On the
South Anna, which was finally overpowered
and compelled to yield the possession of the
bridge to the enemy, who at once fred it,
aud in comparatively short time it was
completely destroyed.


Col. Goodwin Immediately telegraphed
the fact to the commandant of this depart
meut, and in his dispatch stated that the
enemy were moving 10 considerable force
on the bridge over the South Anna on the
Fredericksburg road that their force con-
sisted of infantry, artillery, and much cav
airy. This dispatch also concluded with an
appeal for reinforcements.


1t may be we'll to state that up to 10 o.
clock on Thursday night these bridges were
protected by an ample guard, consisting Of
an entire brigade. At that hour informa,
tion was received that raid of the enemy's
cavalry was threatened at Gordonsville, and
the brigade was sent from the Junction to
that point, leaving but one regiment, the
44th North Carolina, and small cavalry
force, for the defence of Hanover juno
tion and the two South Anna bridges
What may have occurred at Gordousville,
we have no means of knowing, as no trains
reached the city from that direction last
evening. Some anxiety is felt for the safe.
ty of the passenger train which left this
city yesterday morning, as we'll as the one
which was due here yesterday afternoon
There is no information of any train having
been captured, though the material train
which reached the depot about noon ycster-
day reported being fired into in the vicinity
of Hanover Court House.


The loss of the bridge on the Central
road Will not be materially felt, if the bridge
on fredericksburg road can be saved
If both should be destroyed, however, it
will result in serious interruption to our