April 14, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
THE WAR IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
SALEM, VA., April 13. – Gen. A. G. JENKINS’ expedition, with a small portion of his command, in Western Virginia, has been completely successful. The elections and Spring Courts of the bogus Government in all the counties west of the Kanawha River were broken up. The enemy was driven with loss into his fortifications at Hurricane Bridge. General JENKINS proceeded next to the Kanawha river, and four miles below Winfield riddled two Government steamboats which were passing. He embarked at night in flat boats and floated down the Kanawha, attacking and capturing Point Pleasant next morning, killed and captured a number of the enemy, took 150 horses, and destroyed a large amount of stores. The enemy made a most desperate effort to cut off his retreat from the Ohio river, but they were eluded and the command extricated in safety.
VICTORY IN NORTH CAROLINA.
GOLDSBORO’, April 13. – News of a partial victory over the Abolitionists near Washington, N. C., was received today. It appears that the Yankees, under FOSTER, marching to the relief of Washington (which is now invested by our troops) were met and routed last Thursday evening, near Bland’s Creek, by General PETTIGREW. No loss on our side.
DEFEAT OF VAN DORN IN TENNESSEE.
CHATTANOOGA, April 13. – A sharp fight has taken place at Franklin, Tennessee. VAN DORN attacked the enemy with 7000 cavalry and FREEMAN’S battery. The Federals retreated, but advanced again with large reinforcements. A bloody battle ensued. FREEMAN’S battery was captured by the enemy, and FREEMAN was killed. Our loss heavy. We retreated from the place after six hours’ hard fighting.
Later accounts represent that our artillery was recaptured after the fall of FREEMAN. We took no prisoners.
MORE SUCCESSES OF WHEELER.
TULLAHOMA, April 13. – We have trustworthy information today to the effect that General WHEELER has captured two trains – one between Louisville and Nashville, and the other between Nashville and Murfreesboro’– with a large number of men and officers. The trains were destroyed. All is quiet elsewhere.