Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-26

uay ngln' ne preparations 10 meet ana palue
the rebel invasion OF Kentucky have been
made very quietly. They will undoubtedly
be successful; yet the campaign in Kentucky
may be somewhat lively. 1t is a great sat
isfaction to know that the rebels will now
have to deal with Burnside instead of Buell..
Letter From the Fifty-First Regiment.
BEAUFORT, NORM CAROLINA, March IS.
The 5lst Massachusetts regiment is no
sooner fairly established in the railway line to
Newbern and in and about this rebel water
ing place than the inevitable order comes to
gather together three days rations and start
off in an hour for a new tramp. And the
new expedition is undertaken with cheerful
ness and alacrity, for the Worcester county
soldiers have become thoroughly iamiliarized
to a nomadic life. The Arab of the desert can
not pitch his tent in his new camp from day to
day and feel at home so readily as we can biv-
ouac by rail fences or under pine trees in com
fort.
On the night of the 9th inst Col. Sprague
received orders from Gen. Foster to march on
the mo rning of the 9TH with all his available
force of infantry, together with one company
of cavalry and section of Lees artillery, to
White Oak river, opposite Swansboro. This
position he was to hold for three days, in the
meanwhile making thorough examination of
the neighboring country. Within an hour the
colonel and adjutant Brown started with Co.
c, and joined other companies of the regi-
ID Ill
Newport The objects of the expedition were
satisfactorily accomplished after long marches
through the ''pocasins, where the mud was
for miles almost thigh deep. There were plenty
of oysters near their place of bivouac, and
sweet potatoes found their way into camp, by
which agreeable arrangement the three days
ration of ''hard tack" was economical.
think this move by Col. Sprague was made
simultaneously with other reconnoisances on
every road leading to Newbern. Many paroled
rebel soldiers were found at their homes, some
glad to be out of the service, Others anxious to
be exchanged to get back into the rebel ranks
again.
Beaufort is the headquarters of the 5lst
until further orders. 1t is a sleepy yet at
tractive old city; and has been a fayorite sea-
shore resort. The troops are quartered in
one of the hotels, and another very large one
built on piles over the water is devoted to hos
pital uses. Over two hundred conyalescents
from the navy and multitude of regiments
are enjoying the sea breezes here. The third
.,Jlas
are carrying on business pretty much as usual
The young men are in the jeff. Davis army,
and there is much latent secesh feeling here.
The time was when lumber was exported
from this port to the West Indies, even to
California; but the large steam saw mill here
is now silent. Two years ago the boiler gave
out, and soon after the rebellion lowered out,
and manufacture and commerce were dead in
the south One turpentine distillery was then
burned; but two remain and are buster this
year than they have been before for three
years. And well they may be when turpen-
tine is worth in New York $25 per barrel and
rosin $22. The crude turpentine is brought in
much Of it from the enemy's country, doubt
less, the old men and negroes ''toting" it for
miles through the woods. !rhe rebels have
succeeded in burning the turpentine forests in
every direction, and spare the tar and turpen-
tine in casks no more than they do cotton in
the bales. It's all given to the flames before
it shall aid the 'cursed Yankees"
This is coaling station for the navy, con-
sequently gunboats are frequent visitors.
From officers of the vessels forming the
blockading fleet off Wilmington, learn that
four heayily-loaded ClYde-bult steamers have
run into Wilmington within ten days 1t is
useless for the slow boats to chase these fast
English steamers. The fastest blockader
there--the Mount Vernon-chased one of
them for fourteen hours, last week, and was
distanced at last. These things are mortify-
ing to the gallant tars who are loud in their
curses of England. L think they would all
enlist at quarter pay IN war against the sell
fish, soulless John Bull, from whose ports
these steamers are sent. A modest and intel
ligent officer, high in command, said the other
day, 81 will, when this war is over, enlist as a
seaman, without pay, in war against Eng |
land II l cannot fight the damned hypocriti-
cal knaves in any other capacity"
Forts Fisher and Casweil will have TO he
reduced by the iron-clads before our vessels
can enter Cape Fear river. The.guns mo,nt-
ed there have range of five miles. And orr
seamen acknowledge that vessel at anchor
three and half miles from the fort would be
surely hit every third shot at least. Near fort
Fisher a tower is in process of construction.
with casing of sand about it. 1t is surmised
that from the summit of this earth-encased
tower a gun will be mounted with a depression
sufficient to enable a plunging shot to crush
through the deck of any vessel which comes
in range. But "the best-lad plans of mice
and men gang aft agley." The stars and stripes
Wll'wave over Wilmington and Charleston yet.
Major Hardness is provost marshal of the
place, and is full of business. Quartermaster
Dwinneh is commissary of subsistence here,
anu Is as prompt, efficient and obIiging in his
new and larger field of labor. as ha aI,vavs
mas oeen as regimental quartermaster Cam
pahies OF the ADD Massachusetts, roc,i,,,or+
were previously stationed here and - NJ
head, and of Co. C, Capt Fowlo ,vo e ~
DIST are OF opinion that the 18th ward j.
ton, is nobly represented by them in tho 49,.