Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

June 26, 1861

Page 3

 

            ANOTHER SKIRMISH—THE FEDERALISTS AGAIN ROUTED

            Spencer Hancock, Esq., of Chesterfield Co., who returned to this city yesterday from Fairfax C. H., gives us the following narrative of a skirmish which took place on Monday evening, a few miles from that locality.  Mr. H. was himself a participant in the affair, and his statement may therefore be relied on:

            On Sunday morning, Col. Gregg received orders to go out on a reconnoitering expedition.  He took with him 600 South Carolinians, a company of Artillery and two companies of cavalry.  Col. Gregg went 45 miles down to the Potomac river to make observations.  They distinctly saw tents and men on the Maryland side.  They judged there were about 300 men.

            Col. Gregg returned to Dranesville, and marched to a place called Vienna.  Here they remained probably about an hour—after which they started to return to Dranesville.  The troops had proceeded about half a mile when the whistle of the locomotive was heard, whereupon Col. Gregg wheeled his column, and marched rapidly back to Vienna.  They had scarcely time to place two cannon in position when a train of cars, consisting of six flats and a baggage car, came slowly around the curve, pushed by a locomotive.  Each flat was crowded with armed men, whose bayonets glistened in the sun, and gave our men an impression that a severe contest was at hand.  This, however, was not realized, as the result will show.

            Just as the train was about to stop, the artillery fired a well-directed shot from one of their guns, which raked the Hessians fore and aft.  Consternation and dismay were distinctly visible, and, after another fire, the enemy were seen hastily leaving the cars and taking to the woods.  The engineer was smart enough to uncouple the locomotive and take the engine back to Alexandria, leaving the entire train to be captured by our troops.  Col. Gregg’s infantry and cavalry pursued the fugitives a short distance through the woods, but were unable to overtake them.  A few of the party exhibited some bravery, and endeavored, by shouts, to rally their flying comrades, but it was impossible.  They then turned and discharged their pieces at our men without effect.  Six of the enemy were left dead upon the ground.

            About twelve rounds were fired by our artillery, but the enemy scattered after the second.  Neither the infantry nor cavalry fired a shot.

            Our troops burnt the cars and captured a considerable quantity of carpenter’s tools, blankets, and other baggage, with about 20 muskets and a number of pistols.

            The fire of our artillerists was most effective.  One man was found with his hand shot completely off, another with his arm shot off at the shoulder, and other ghastly objects proved the destructive effect of the shots.

            After the engagement, Col. Gregg retired with his command to Fairfax C. H.

            The above is confirmed by a dispatch from D. G. Duncan, Esq., form Manassas.