| From the Richmond Daily Dispatch |
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| December 18, 1863 |
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| Averill's raid |
| We have some further particulars of the
arrival of Averill and his raiders at Salem. They numbered about 2,800, and were composed of cavalry and mounted
infantry. They reached Salem Wednesdaymorning about 10 ½ o'clock,
without any show of opposition, as far as we could learn, and
immediately proceeded to burn the depot and commissary buildings, and
to tear up the track of the railroad {the
Virginia & Tennessee RR}, which work they are said to have
effectually accomplished. In the commissary building was stored a
large quantity of bacon and corn, all of which, of course, fell a prey
to the flames. The loss to the Government is very heavy, though we
were unable to learn the supposed amount. No damage is reported to
have been done to private property. |
| The eastward-bound freight train of the
Virginia & Tennessee Railroad made a narrow escape from capture,
passing Salem
only about half an hour before the Yankees reached it. A train sent
from Lynchburg
with the Provost Guard, Capt. Otey, also narrowly escaped being taken.
It was fired into when within a short distance of the town; but the
engineer promptly reversed his engine
and escaped safely. No person on the train was hurt. It is reported
that there was fighting near Salem Wednesdayevening. |
| It is thought that this is the Yankee raid
which has been so long threatened in the Yankee papers, which they
promised should come in at the Valley
of Virginia
and go out at Weldon, N. C. We learn that the authorities have made
arrangements to prevent the consummation of this scheme. Very little
damage can be done to the railroad at Salem, as there are no important bridges near there. |
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