The rain on lower Beandon
--The Petersburg Express of yesterday, contains some forth,
The enemy came up
James river Sunday night, bringing with them three transports and two gunboats.
It is estimated that they had two full regiments, consisting of infantry and two companies of cavalry but the horses of the latter were not disembarked.
The expedition was commanded by
Gen. Graham.
During Sunday night they landed two companies of infantry at a remote point above
Brandon.
These companies were piloted through the woods by the negro blacksmith at
Brandon, a very intelligent fellow.
By making a circuit they got in the rear of our signal station at
Brandon and came upon our men Monday from the direction of
Brandon.
Church thus rendering escape impossible.
Out of eight men employed at the station, but one escaped, viz:
Private Peter F. Marks, who secreted himself in a thicket.
Sergeant Joyner and
Privates Cartwright,
Haistead,
Taylor,
Berwick,
Morgan, and
Spencer were captured.
The enemy also captured
Dr. Robert Ritchie, a brother of
Mrs. Harrison, the owner of the Brandon estate, and the two overseers,
Messrs. Cox and
Simmons.
They destroyed all the corn, (some two thousand barrels,) a large quantity of seed wheat, oats, shucks, fodder, and flour.
All the out-buildings of every description were burnt, and all the negroes, horses, and mules carried off. The dwelling was entered, all the wines and liquors appropriated and the furniture generally demolished.
It is generally believed that the enemy contemplated a very extensive raid, but that they received information which changed their plans.
This probably accounts for the failure to land their cavalry horses.
It is fortunate for the vandals that they did receive this information, for we know that there were preparations made for them which would have left but few to return.
