The Averill Raid.
The news with reference to the raiders in Southwestern Virginia reaches us in a very confused form. Such as we have, however, indicates the escape of Averill, with the greater portion of his forces. One report states that they crossed Jackson river, near Covington, burning the bridge behind them; whilst another represents that they fell back from the neighborhood of Covington to Greenbrier county, passing the White Sulphur Springs on Sunday. If the latter report be correct, they have probably gone towards Kanawha, through Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.The portion of Averill's command captured by Col. Jackson is said to have been only the rear guard, which he left to skirmish with our forces while the main body escaped. The number reported to have been captured by Col. Jackson is three hundred.
We have also another report, not well authenticated, that two of their regiments were captured entire in the neighborhood of the bridge which they burned over Jackson's river.
