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Another skirmish.
Spencer Hancock, Esq., of Chesterfield co., who returned to this city yesterday evening from Fairfax C. H., gives us the following narration of a skirmish which took place about 6 o'clock 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 accompany of Kemper's Artillery and two companies of cavalry, including 45 of Capt Bali's Chester company and Capt. Terry's company, of Bedford. he started at 8 o'clock A. M. They remained Sunday night at a place called Dranesville. On Monday morning Col. Gregg, with a detachment of cavalry, went 48 miles down to the Potomac river to make observations. They remained in the vicinity about an hour, and distinctly say tents and men on the Maryland side. They judged there were about 300 men encamped at that point. Col. Gregg afterwards returned to Dranesville, formed his command into column and marched down the road to a place called VI entia Here they remained only long enough to tear up the track of the Alexandria, Loudoh and Hampshire Railroad and destroy a water tank — probably about an hour — after which they started to return to Dranesville The troops had proceeded about a half a mile when the whistle of the locomotive was heard in the distance, whereupon Col Gregg ordered a half, 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 evening sun and gave our men an impression that a severcontest 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 after 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 of the train was smart enough to uncouple the locomotive and take the back track for Alexandria, leaving the entire train to be captured by our troops Col. Gregg's infantry and the 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. It is believed that this invading party consisted of Regulars and Michigan Volunteers.--Col. Gregg had received information that a detachment of Federalists came to Vienna on Sunday evening, and brought timber to repair the bridge, and that they stated while there that they would come on Monday with men enough to whip and hang every d — d Secessionist in the neighborhood. They made a slight mistake in their calculations. 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, together with about 20 muskets and a number of pistols.--Mr. Hancock brings with him as trophies a U. S. soldier's cap, a havelock thoroughly saturated with blood, and a bayonet. The fire of our artillerists was most effective. One man was found with his hand shot completely off, another with his arm shot off a the shoulder, and other ghastly object proved the destructive effect of the shots. It is thought by some that one of the balls broke the couplings of the locomotive; at all events, the engine was taken a way from the scene of action with all possible speed. After the engagement, Col. Gregg retired with his command to Fairfax C. H. Mr. Hancock left there at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. He requests us to state that all of Capt. Ball's command were in good health.
The Daily Dispatch: June 19, 1861. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. June 19, 1861. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.
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