The enemy in Virginia — a raid near Norfolk.
In Southwestern Virginia all is quiet. It was reported on Saturday that the Yankees were advancing in heavy force on Bristol, and had driven in our pickets at Blountsville, Tenn., nine miles from there. This report, as will be seen from a telegram from our correspondent in that quarter is incorrect. Our pickets are beyond Blountsville and Zollicoffer.Gen. Averill, who was "out on a raid" with several thousand men, was met by our forces about six miles from Lewisburg, on the Covington road, last Thursday, and after a slight skirmish was driven back. He retired towards Beverly, in Randolph Co., from whence he started. His force is estimated at about 3,000 men.
We have news from an unexpected quarter of a brilliant little affair. On the 16th inst. a company of partisan rangers, under the command of Major Edgar Burroughs, attacked the steamer J. B. White, on the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal captured and burnt her, together with a dredging machine and two lighters, which she was towing. This steamer is the same vessel which was run out from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe last year by J. Byers, the pilot, who gave information to the Federals that the evacuation of the city was going on. She was on her way to Great Shoals, and was captured at a place called Bethelgar. The crew and passengers were taken off into a swamp near by and paroled. The steamer was valued at $30,000. Major Burroughs also attacked the mail steamer Fawn on the canal; but though a heavy fire was poured into her, she got by.
The recent capture at Charlestown was performed by Major Harry Gilmer and Captain John H. McNeill. The regiment captured was the 9th Maryland, which was raised in Baltimore.
Col. Wm. L. Jackson has returned from his recent expedition to Northwestern Virginia. One of his batteries was sent in the direction of Huttonsville to divert the attention of the Yankee General Averill, whilst Gol. J., with another portion of the forces under his command, moved westward as far as the salt works, in Braxton county, seventy-five miles within the lines of the enemy. The enemy had erected a double line of block houses at the salt works, the outer of which was carried by storm. Believing the inner works would involve a considerable loss of life to carry them, Col. J. withdrew, followed by the Yankees, when a battle ensued, in which the enemy were beaten back to their works, with heavy loss in killed and wounded and prisoners. Our loss was eight killed and twelve wounded. Just before this movement Jackson sent a detachment into Upshur county, which captured and brought out ninety-eight prisoners.
