We have some further particulars of the arrival of
Averill and his raiders at
Salem.
They numbered about 2,800, and were composed of cavalry and mounted infantry.--They reached
Salem Wednesday morning about 10½ o'clock, without any show of opposition, as far as we could learn, and immediately proceeded to burn the depot and commissary buildings, and to tear up the track of the railroad, which work they are said to have effectually accomplished. --is the commissary building was stored a large quantity of bacon and corn, all of which, of course, fell a prey to the flames.
The loss to the
Government is very heavy, though we were unable to learn the supposed amount.
No damage is reported to have been done to private property.
The eastward-bound freight train of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad made a narrow escape from capture, passing
Salem only about half an hour before the
Yankees reached it. A train sent from
Lynchburg with the Provost Guard,
Capt. Otey, also narrowly escaped being taken.
It was fired into when within a short distance of the town; but the engineer promptly reversed his engine and escaped safely.
No person on the train was hurt.
It is reported that there was fighting near
Salem Wednesday evening.
It is thought that this is the
Yankee raid which has been so long threatened in the
Yankee papers, which they promised should come in at the
Valley of Virginia and go out at
Weldon, N. C. We learn that the authorities have made arrangements to prevent the consummation of this scheme.--Very little damage can be done to the railroad at
Salem, as there are no important bridges near there.