The Averill Raid.
The news with reference to the raiders in
Southwestern Virginia reaches us in a very confused form.
Such as we have, however, indicates the escape of
Averill, with the greater portion of his forces.
One report states that they crossed
Jackson river, near
Covington, burning the bridge behind them; whilst another represents that they fell back from the neighborhood of
Covington to
Greenbrier county, passing the
White Sulphur Springs on Sunday.
If the latter report be correct, they have probably gone towards
Kanawha, through
Greenbrier and
Nicholas counties.
The portion of
Averill's command captured by
Col. Jackson is said to have been only the rear guard, which he left to skirmish with our forces while the main body escaped.
The number reported to have been captured by
Col. Jackson is three hundred.
We have also another report, not well authenticated, that two of their regiments were captured entire in the neighborhood of the bridge which they burned over
Jackson's river.