CHAPTER XVII.
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
The news of the fight between the sheriff's posse and the band at Lynch's Creek was telegraphed to the Richmond papers by their local agent upon the day after it occurred.

The report said that Captain Wingfield, a young officer who had frequently distinguished himself, had followed the traces of a gang one of whom was a notorious criminal who had evaded the pursuit of the law and escaped from that section fifteen years ago, and had, under an assumed name, been acting as overseer at Mrs.Wingfield's estate of the Orangery.

These men had carried off a negress belonging to Mrs.Wingfield, and had taken her South.

Captain Wingfield, having obtained the assistance of the sheriff with a posse of determined men, rode to the place which served as headquarters of the gang.

Upon being summoned to surrender, the men opened fire upon the sheriff and his posse.