The battle of Lewisburg.
[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.] Dublin Depot, Va., May 26, 1862.
You have doubtless learned that the Federals, after taking and holding Giles C. H. for several days, were forced to retire precipitately from the town by Gen. Heth, leaving all the commissary and quartermaster stores which they found there upon their arrival, together with other stores brought there by themselves, it eluding a good lot of coffee.
It was, indeed, good fortune for our troops to find so large a quantity of articles so necessary to their comfort and existence.
All things rendered it to the interest of the Federals on secure permanently that advance to wards cutting off our communication with the West and South, and in my opinion they would have taken more active steps and more expeditions and effective measures for the holding of the position they had gained had it not been for the erroneous supposition that our forces in this section had been dissipated, together with the active measures taken by Gen. Heth to disperse them and regain the country thus lost.
It is with pleasure that I can say that the country has been regained, and that portion of the enemy's forces effectually dispersed.
The Narrows of New river, five or six miles beyond the Court-House, and near the mouth of East river, was the position which Heth was determined to retake, and well was it worth the most resolute trial, for it is thought to be the strongest hold in the entire country.
The enemy retreated towards Princeton, where they joined a considerable body of their comrades, when they were attacked by our forces, who drove them back, but for prudential reasons, saw proper to fall back to another position, when directly Heth engaged them successfully in their rear.
After the above engagements, Heth immediately withdrew his forces, and pushed on to Lewisburg, where the enemy were reported to be in force.
He arrived in the vicinity of the town a little after daylight, and came up with the enemy on the brow of the hill between him and the town, whereupon, after a few shots, the Federals retired down the hill, our men pressing on till they reached the farther edge of town, when the engagement became fierce and general.
The Federals stood behind a fence and fired, while our men stood out on the open field.
The forces engaged were the 22d Virginia, the 45th Virginia, Edgar's battalion, a portion of the 8th Virginia cavalry, dismounted, and a battalion of artillery.
The dismounted cavalry was held in reserve; the 45th composed the centre.
The battle lasted about an hour, being hottest on the flanks; our men gradually driving them, when, from some unknown cause, the 45th became panic stricken and fled.
But yet the day was not irretrievably lost.
Our men still fought courageously, when, unfortunately, brave Edgar was slain, and his men, being dispirited by his untimely fall, were no longer able to withstand the terrific fire of the enemy, and fled precipitately, and could not be rallied.
We had sixteen pieces of artillery, though I understand all were not brought into action.
It did good service, one shell having been seen to fall directly in the midst of the vandals, bursting at the right time exactly, playing havoc with them.
There were five pieces lost, among them a twelve-pounder and two sixes.
Our forces fell back to Union, burning Greenbrier bridge.
Heth was to arrive at Pearisburg to- night, (Monday.) Gen. Loring has gone over their, and probably we will hear something stirring in a few days.
The news of Jackson's victory reached us today; it had a very exhilarating effect upon every one.
We are looking with interest upon your city and Corinth.
We know not at what moment the booming of cannon may open the two great engagements which are to decide the result of the present campaign.
Filurius. 