Saltville, Virginia

JANUARY 14, 1865.]

HARPERS WEEKLY.

21

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.