Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-09-11
We ShInEfOn, N. c,

Much interest being felt in reference to the recent
capture and evacuation of Washington by portion of
our troops we have endeavored to obtain the facts as
nearly accurate as possible. The following statement
has been prepared for US by FRIEND whose facilities for
obtaining information are Of the best kind -
The affair at Washington turns out to have been
more important in its results than rumour had at first
led US to suppose The great object of the expedition
to wit the capture of the large number of negroes
who had gone there from the surrounding countless was
failure because the enemy, getting wind of the move
ment, had sent them down the river two miles, to Rod
mans farm in Rats and boats and there protected them
with gunboat But one of the officers was captured,
the rest making the best OF their way to places of
cealment. OF the privatcs taken, a number of them
were dragged out Of houses from behind DOORS and out
of closets.
Our forces entered the town i'll three directions,
whipped the enemy at every point where they made
their appearance kept possession Of the town two or
three hours and retired when there seemed to be moth
lug further to accomplish and at their isure-the enc
my no longer making their appearance. 1t is true that
the gunboat L0u1siGnG piled up and down the river,
firing occasionally up the streets, and to have
held further possession of the place would probably
children Ii is not true that our forces were driven
from the place.
The enemy'a gunboat Picket took fire early in the
action, exploded her magazine, killing twenty of her
men, and burned to the waters edge 1t is not known
how she was set on fire.
A merchant OF intelligence, who left Washington on
Monday succeeding the fight says the enemys acknow.
lodged loss is one hundred and sixty This does lot
include the prisoners captured by US. Quite number
OF houses IN the western end of the town shatter
ed by the enemys Shell aud some were rddled by shot
from our own battery No woman was killed, and but
one, Il Mrs Redding, was slightly wounded.
Our infantry entered the town at the west thronoh
the field of James r. Grist and first encountered the
enemy at the back of his barn They 1.-THE enemy were
driven from there, and our forces charged up Main
Street and Second Street. meeting at the Academy on
Bridge Street. where the battery of four guns were can
tured. Most Of the fighting took place on Bridge
Street. between the Academy and the foot of the bridge
where the enemy had planted battery. They were
driven from it three or four times
fuckers and Booths cavalry behaved nobly. Booth
was wounded badly tit is hoped not mortality early in
the action Tucker charged down Back Street routins
the enemys cavalry at the African church killing eight
pckets at the foot of the WILLIAMSON road and then
taking the circuit OF the town charged IN the entr
length OF Main Street. doing much damage to the o,or,
Lieutenant was killed by this force in front Of +bo
Lafayette Hotel. Adams battery entered town abont
midway from the back street, and did some firing but
was not in the hottest of the engagement They also
traYersed considerable portion Of the town.