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Averell, William Woods

soldier, was born Nov. 5, 1832, in Cameron, N. Y.

He was engaged with the army of the Potomac in its most important campaigns. In March, 1863, he began the series of cavalry raids in western Virginia that made his name famous. He started with a force of 5,000 men and drove the confederates out of Greenbrier county, capturing three guns and about one hundred prisoners. In December he was again in motion, advancing with a strong force into southwestern Virginia. In Dec. 16 he struck the Virginia and Tennessee railroad at Salem, Gen. Longstreet's base of supplies. He destroyed the railroad, severing an important line of communication between the confederate generals Lee and Bragg, and burned a large quantity of provisions, clothing, and military equipments.