Evening star., 1863-04-17
THE WEEKLY
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
Gen. Foster Said to have been Relieved
Vessel RunS the blockade

Vessel Runs the Blockade.
FORTRESS MONROE, April l6.-A dispatch
from Gen Palmer TO Msjor Gen. Dix, just re-
ceiveo, states that Gen. Foster has been re-
liev'd. A Union steamer, with a regiment
and supplies Of provisions and ammuni. .ion
succeeded in running the batteries on the Tar
rlNer, and reached The wharf at Washington
On the l4th inst.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
EosToN, April ia letter dated inside q
d e fort at Washington, \. g. the futh lns sant
eXl reskes confidence ia their ability to hold OUT
until r.inforcements can arrive.
The Ietels We're firing at the fort at Wash
inctCn tn the 10th inst, but only two sho:s had
taken fleet inside. The rebels remained a. 4
respectful distance.
NEwBtRN, n. c., April u.-'Correspond
ence New York Herald. Our expedition l.f
Fort Anderson, on the Neusr, opposite New
bern, at three p m. OF Wednesday. 9Th instant,
for the purpose of relieving Was hirgto by an
overland route. We marched in fine order
that afternoon as far New Hope school
house, on the road towards Swift creek where
apart OF the command, through a mistake ot
orders, encamped for the night, while the ad-
vance pushed on to Little Swift creek, four
miles beyond. From this point our cavalry
went TO within mile of Great Swift creek,
where they ascertained that the rebels had des-
troyed the bridge and barricaded the roads so
thatit would be impossib 10 proceed Thy
also learned from perfectly reliable sources
that the ENEMY We're encamped there, about
hfteen thousand strong, with two batteries ar
ranged 10 command the roads in every dire
ton. This was precisely what i expected to
lind, as had learned as much before leaving
New bern from the secesh there.
Finding it impossible 10 proceed by this route
we next attempted TO gain the other side of The
swamp by the route of Blount's Mill Rur
here again we were doomed to disappoint tnen-
we lett New Hope Corners about nine O'clock
on 1hurs day morning, and came upol the
rebels at Blonnts bridge, where we had
brisk fight Tor over an hour, losing about IL
dozen men wounded. The rebels had here al So
superior force of infantry and artillery. n ad
cut ay the bridge over the creek. and had
erected bre6stworks on the opposite side which
commanded every approach. We could only
ttll OF the whereabouts of the enemy by ;ia
nashes OF their guns and the smoke as they wrT.
masked), while they had their artillery trained
so as 10 sweep the roads completely
At two O'Clock news came back To the (Ieu-
eral that our cavalry had come upon the reha,
pickets about mile this side of Rufs Mills
Immediately the line was put in motion, and
we marched at a brisk pace 10 A MONT near an
old church. where we halted while Capt4in
Ponds company of cavalry and the Eth Ma.
sachuSetts volunteers were sent forward To
rrconnoiter. They had not been gone many
minutes when we heard brisk firing in the d.
rection OF the mill, Capt. Pond having come
upon line of cavalry dressed in the common
blue uniforms of our soldiers, whom he a. first
mIstook Tor our own men. The rebels let one
cavalry come up TO within a few wards o:
them, when they opened murderol,s fire am
fed. Capt. Pond Immediately ,irploya6 hIs
company on foot as ski1mishers, and for fe "
moments the fire on 10th sides was quite spir-
tied, amounting to no loss 10 us, eycppt one
man slightly wounded and one horse killed
The rebels reireated across the bare string
pieces OF the bridge, and sought safety behind
their works.
As soon as the rebels had crossed they COM
menced using their artillery, and our bows
replied with a small cavalry hoWitZer The
two thirty two pound hoHitZers We're then
St 1T forward, and they took position upon She
brow OF the hill, luSt above the bridy ye and
within three hundred yards of the rebel work.
The column OF infantry was also moved down
into the woods, while Belger's battery WAS
held IN readiness 10 join i'll the action. Il was
soon found that the thirty -twos had not suffi-
ciFnt ammunition to last them through l,n.,
action, and two guns of Captain Belger's we're
orasrad down TO rateYs them. Captain Bplger
had lHst arrived upon the ground with his
pieces when spherical case shot Ianded il, tha
midst OF his men, Wounding the captain and
Killing his horse instantly. The battery then
took up The hight, and for an hour the cannon
aiding on both sides was terrific. But we iabored
under great disadvantage, as the thick woods
upon both sides prevented our gunners from.
seeing the enemys position, while they could
IRE at random at the woods on our side and ia
tclerahly certain of doing some damage
Finding the contest so unequal, and th. R,s-
Slalilty OF our crossing so very slim, General
SpInola ordered his command To fall b ick ID,
New Hope, and our forces moved away il a.
much order as though they Were en a dres.
parade
Alter the engagement our forces moved Of 4
10 New Hope. where we camped for tn, night
and yesterday we came into Newbern.