Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-10

fired upon by a squad of rebels. This salts
fed him that the woods were not occupied,
and that his ''erring southern brethren" would
pay no regard to the fact that his father was
an immense democratic politician of Western
New York; so he abbreviated his visit and re
tired out Of range of the rebel rifles, when he
coolly adjusted his field glass and took sur
vey OF the premises to his hearts content.
lie, too, will have something to hrag Of
Lieut.. Williams reports that the woods back
OF the shore and fort are alive with cavalry
and infantry, story wich is corroberated by
the assertions of contrabands who have come
off to us in ''dugouts."
ADvICEs RECEIVED FROM NEwBERN.
The United States steam transport Ellen S.
Terry, Captain Chaplin, arrived at this port
yesterday from Newbern, N. c., bringing a
number of discharged, disabled and sick sol =
diers, and several passengers. She was
boarded by our reporter, who gathered from
the officers such intelligence in regard to af-
fairs at Washington as had reached Newbern
previous to their sailing. Their reports, how
ever, are neither so direct nor so reliable as
those in our correspondents letter, given
above.
1t appears that on the 25th ult, Gen. Fos-
brigades, comprising the Pennsylvania regi-
ments of Coils. McKibbin, Dyer, Bear, the
18th New York, the 18th New York and the
list North Carolina volunteers, started for
Little Washington on the junction of the Tar
and Pamlico rivers, to reinforce the Union
troops who held that place, an attack upon
the rebels being expected. The rebels had,
unknown to our forces, erected very power
full battery on Swan Pond, some five miles
below Washington, which commands the
channel. Thus communication with the base
of supplies, Newbern, was cut off. General
Foster had managed by means of small boats
however, to send word to Newbern, ordering
requirements.
Gen. Hill, with some 5000 rebels, approach
ed Fosters position from the land side, and
thus surrounded him. This must have occur
red on Tuesday or Wednesday of last week.
for cannonading was heard quite plainly at
Newbern on the LIST, I'd, and Sd. On the af-
ternoon Of the latter day there was a cessation
OF firing, but what was the cause nobody
could tell, as communication was cut off
The rebel battery is erected on very high
bluff, and no vessel could approach to WASH
lngton nearer than eight miles still, the l0lst
Pennsylvania and a Massachusetts regiment
were sent on Friday from Newbern to Gen.
er they would reach him. There was, how
ever, no anticipation of a disaster, as Gen.
Foster was thought to be sufficiently strongly
intrenched to hold out for at least a fortnight,
by which time the blockade would be raised
by the navy.
The rebels are constantly sending small
columns down to Newbern, probably with a
view OF preventing the reinforcement of the
Invested garrison. The Union officers, how
ever, place no Importance on these demon
stratlous The steam gunboat Hunchback,
formerly Staten Island ferry boat,) carry
ing lOO-pound Parrot gun, and three other
gunbonts, were about getting ready to force a
passage Of the Pamlico, but there was some
doubts as to their success, they being wooden
vessels. An attempt had been made to shell
out the rebels, but up to Friday, the day be-
fore the Terry sailed, without success. The
faing began on Wednesday night, and con
tinued at intervals until Friday night, when it
ceased.
NEwBERN, April 3: 10 p. Nj left the
scene of action last night, and shall return
to- night. The gunboats had arrived at the
mouth of the Tar river when we came down.
Glory to the navy, if they will only demolish
those batteries. The Commodore Hull has
got off and gone to the dock at Washington.
L ommtted to mention that yesterday Mr.. Gil
bert, sutler, volunteered to take a supply of
ammunition, in small schooner, from our
fleet to the gunboats at Washington. and start
ed to do so just as | left the fleet. | learn from
Capt. Agnew of the steamer Faron, who has
just arrived, that he succeeded in running the
rebel batteries under heavy fire, and deliy-
cred his charge in safety. His vessel was hit
by the shot from the batteries no less than
four times in the hull; but the damage was
tritiing. The night was by no means dark
one, and it elicits a thousand wonders that the
schooner was not sunk
Gen. Prince arrived at the scene of action
yesterday morning and returned here o-night.
| am not at liberty to state what he and Gen.
Palmer (who commands here in Gen. Fosters
absence) are doing; but l may say, from what
is being done, that my fears for the safety of
Washington and the garrison there are much
relieved. My information is up to IL o'clock
to-day Information has been received here
that the rebels have force of 5000 men in
trenched at Swift creek about hall way be-
tween Newbern and Washington, on the road.
This is probably to prevent us from sending
reintorcements overland.