The "Situation"--a Yankee raid.
The city yesterday was in a high state of excitement, which was caused by a number of reports of a Yankee raid made on a scale which has heretofore been unapproached by them. In the afternoon several thousand persons were congregated at the depot of the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, anxiously awaiting the news expected to arrive by the train. The train, however, was destined not to arrive. The rumors which circulated yesterday might be extended in the sensation style to several columns, but, reduced to the absolute facts of the case, may be stated as follows:Yesterday the Yankees entered Columbia, Fluvanna county, Va., and destroyed the canal banks there.
At 7 o'clock yesterday evening a force of Federals was within eight miles of Farmville, with the intention of destroying the High Bridge, on the Southside railroad.
In the morning the Federals entered Ashland with a large force of cavalry and artillery, and, it is stated, burnt the town, which consists of a hotel and some twenty or thirty cottages.
In the evening they were reported to be at a station on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad, eight miles distant from the city. This report is supposed to be correct, though nothing was heard of them afterwards. It is more likely that after the raid at Ashland they turned their attention to the Central Railroad, which last night at 9 o'clock had been torn up near Peak's, about six miles from the city. The party performing this feat is evidently on its way down the Peninsula to secure a safe retreat within their lines. On their way they will meet General Wise's command, and may be overpowered by it and captured.
When the raid on Ashland was consummated our ambulance train, with 198 sick and 69 wounded, was captured, and it is stated that the cars were burnt after the prisoners were paroled.
A gentleman who arrived here last night states that a body of Yankees, numbering 15,000, (an exaggeration doubtless,) were at Deitrick's Store, in Goochland county, yesterday, and were taking all the horses and negroes to be found in the neighborhood.
From Gen. Lee's army we learn that on Friday we met the enemy at Chancellorsville, in Spotsylvania county, defeated them and drove them back five miles. Among the killed on our side was Major Chauning R. Price, of Richmond, Aid to Gen. Stuart. Among the wounded was Col. Harris, of the 16th Mississippi. It was stated that yesterday there was heavy fighting along the lines; but, as the telegraph lines were down, and there was no railroad communication, of course the report is not to be relied on.
The Central train last night, at 7½ o'clock, brought down 59 prisoners captured on Friday.
The city has now troops enough within its limits to defend it from any raid of the nature above described, and enough we hope to catch the raid makers. Last night, on the public square, several regiments of citizens were formed, in accordance with the general desire to have a hand in protecting Richmond against the invaders, should they attempt to come to the city.
