| Headquarters Department of Western
Virginia |
| Dublin, August 2, 1863 |
| |
| General S. Cooper |
| Adjt. and Insp. Gen. |
| |
| General, |
| I send with this the reports
of Brigadier-General Williams, Colonel McCausland, Major Bowyer, and
Captain Bowen, of the parts performed by the troops under their
command against the party of the enemy's cavalry (about 1,000
strong) which made a raid on Wytheville on the 18th ultimo. |
| ***** |
| This raid, which General
Scammon has been preparing for the last two or three months, was a
most signal failure. Very little Government property was destroyed,
and that little not valuable. The damage done the railroad {Virginia
& Tennessee RR} was repaired by three or four hands in
less than an hour. It was characterized throughout by even more than
their ordinary vandalism. They avowed their purpose to burn the
town, but were driven and frightened off before they accomplished
the purpose; not, however, until they had burned several of the best
private houses in the place. One of their wounded men, who had
crawled into one of those houses, is believed to have been burned;
his screams were heard and his charred bones found in the ruins. |
| ***** |
| Great credit is due to the
citizens for their conduct on the occasion. Between 250 and 300
citizens of Lynchburg, previously organized into companies for home
defense, Asst. Surg. H. Grey Latham commanding, volunteered and came
here promptly, bringing with them a field battery. A large number of
citizens of Montgomery County, Col. Robert L. Preston commanding,
volunteered and remained on duty until I informed them that their
services were no longer needed. A large company was promptly formed
in
Roanoke
, and I was telegraphed that it was ready for service when I needed
it. Many citizens of this county volunteered for any service I might
require of them, and a number of them went with Major Bowyer to
Wytheville, and behaved admirably. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant |
| Sam. Jones |
| Major-General |
|