Invasion of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Our community was somewhat startled yesterday by the intelligence, communicated in a special dispatch from
Norfolk to this paper that 8,000 Federal troops had marched into Accomac county, Va., on the Eastern Shore of the
Chesapeake Bay, and taken possession of the county.
We received a confirmation of the news last night from
Capt. Lewis M. Hudgins, who left
Accomac on Monday evening. It appears that
General Dis, the
Federal commander in
Maryland, sent a proclamation to the people of the county, promising them protection both in regard to life and property, on condition that they would surrender and lay down their arms.
On Friday last, thirty officers of the
Federal army entered Drummond town, the county seat, bearing a flag of truce, and submitted the proposition to the people, who being poorly provided with me as of defence in the event of an attack, acceded to the terms, making no resistance whatever.
The Federal party then dispatched five of their number to the
Maryland line to bring forward a large body of troops, who were to take possession of
Accomac and
Northampton.
Our informant learned from the mail carrier, before leaving on Monday evening, that 4000 Lincolnites soldiers were marching into Drummond town, and it was expected that a force would move to occupy
Northampton on Tuesday.
Colonel Smith was in command of about 500 troops in Accomac county, but we have no particulars of his movements.
Probably he considered discretion the better part of valor in this instance, especially since his means of resistance were very limited.
Some of the inhabitants found methods of leaving the county, and it is probable that the
Federals will make prisoners of some who remain behind.
Capt. Hudgins brought away forty of
Capt. Fletcher's company in his vessel, and they are now at
Gloucester Point.
Among his passengers also were
Col. Ganter,
Capt. Wise, and
Lieutenants Bag well.
Cudlip, and
White.
Other vessels were about leaving, but they encountered the risk of capture by the
Federal steamers prowling in the waters of the bay. The principal object of the enemy in this sudden demonstration upon the Eastern Shore, is to put a stop to the trade which has been carried on with the mainland, and to secure the advantages of a good grain country, to say nothing of the luscious Cherrystone oysters, for which Yankee pictures doubtless have an eager longing.
The only wonder is, considering the isolated position of the country, that they had not
sooner taken possession.
In cutting off a portion of the
State revenue, the
Federals have accomplished something, but we anticipate no further evil result.
