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VIEW OF SALTVILLE, VIRGINIA.
VIEW OF SALT VALLEY.
GENERAL BURBRIDGE'S RAID IN
SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.
GENERAL S. G. BURBRIDGE, whose
brilliant expedition into Southwestern Virginia we illustrate from sketches
taken by " Porte Crayon," has been
action of that day, having been
selected for the assault, which resulted in the capture of the post. BURBRIDGE
in person entered the fort before even the rebel guard was aware of the
surrender. He had previously distinguished himself in the attack made on
Vicksburg in December, 1862. Subse-
sand mounted men, making a force
of full six thousand men,
General STONEMAN assuming command of the whole.
This column started from Bean's Station December 12. The rebel General DUKE, at
Kingsport, opposed the crossing of the Holston, but was flanked and routed by
GILLEM with a loss
noon, where he lost five more
guns. The railroad was struck near Glade Spring, and two trains of cars
captured. All the bridges and depots were destroyed to Wytheville ; also the
great iron works near Marion. (Next
Page)
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE SALT-WORKS.
FIRING UP.
one of the most efficient
officers in our western campaigns. Our readers will remember the heroic conduct
of General A. J. SMITH'S Division at the capture of Fort Hindman, better known
as Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. The first brigade of this division was
commanded by General BURBRIDGE, and performed the most distinguished part in the
quently General BURBRIDGE at
Corinth and Columbus, and more recently in Kentucky and East Tennessee, has well
earned the Major- Generalship, which rank he now holds by brevet.
After General GILLEM'S defeat,
November 12, 1864, BRECKINRIDGE had possession of Bull's Gap. GILLEM'S command
was then joined by four thou-
of one hundred men. The pursuit
was continued to Bristol, on the Virginia border, which was occupied the next
day, two hundred and fifty additional prisoners having been captured, and a
large amount of property destroyed. VAUGHAN, who was twelve miles below at
Zollicoffer, started immediately for Saltville, which was about thirty miles
east of Bristol, but was headed off at Abingdon, which place was captured on the
14th. GILLEM pursued VAUGHAN, and, coming up with him, succeeded in taking fifty
prisoners ; and again at Mount Airy, where he took more prisoners and seven
guns. VAUGHAN had now been driven several miles east of Saltville. Beaten in the
morning at Mount Airy he was attacked at Wytheville in the after-
Returning, BRECKINRIDGE'S command
was encountered. After an engagement of thirty-six hours the enemy fell back on
Saltville ; but an attack made on his flank drove him southward. The lead mines
near Wytheville were destroyed.
The most important success of the
expedition was the destruction of the salt works at Saltville. These were
captured on the night of the 20th with eight pieces of artillery. The works,
according to BURBRIDGE, can not be repaired during the war. General LEE,
however, relying perhaps on the too favorable report of BRECKINRIDGE, thinks
they can be easily repaired.
Saltville is in Washington
County, 288 miles west of Richmond, near the North Fork of the Holston
DIPPING OUT THE SALT.
LOWER SALT-WORKS.
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