Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-18
0Ortester 4ailp Spp.
TIE DAILY SPY.
From the BOSTON Traveller
Siege of washington, N. C.-Inciden ts
oF tho

letter received IN TINS city from an officer
of the 44th Massachusetts regiment gives a
connected account OF affairs at Washington,
N. c., up to the 10th inst
Writing on the Sd inst, he saws that on
Sunday, the 18th, thoy heard reports that the
place was about to be attacked by the rebels.
but they cared little for them, as there had
been similar reports before.
On the Both Gen. Foster arrived, and at
once examined the defences, with a view to
putting them in the best condition. That day
contraband, who has been servant of one
of the officers of the garrison, returned from
a visit to friends in the interior, and reported
that he had seen 1000 rebels, with 40 pieces of
artillery, marching upon the place, and that
other forces were coming by different routes.
Capts. Hunt and Richardson of the 44th
were sent out to reconnoiter, and fell into an
ambuscade Capt. Richardson was wounded
together with three men of Co. G-orderly
Hobart, corporal Lawrence, and private Leon
ard. The two companies fired five or six
times, and then fell back, leaving Hobart.
Lawrence, and Leonard, on the ground. bav
ing no means OF carrying them to Washington.
Later in the day, Capt. Lyons, with COM
pany of loyal North Carolina troops, were
sent out to hold an advanced position, and the
gunboat Com. Hull dropped down the river.
About halt-past Z o'clock there was firing
from the fort to prevent the rebels from
throwing up entertainments, and the men re-
manned under arms all night. They were or
dered, in case an attack was made, to with:
hold their fire till the enemy came within two
hundred yards. The night passed without an
attack.
On the 3lst Capt. Lyons force was attack
ed and driven In, with some loss in killed and
wounded. The Com. Hull got aground. and
fba ira1
shell into her without injuring her machinery.
although several of her guns were disabled
and three men were wounded. The rebels
used Whitworth guns, the shot passing com
pletely through the vessel. Capt. Saltonstall.
Massachusetts man, is said to have conduct-
ed himself with great GOODNESS and bravery.
That day Mr.. Gilbert ran the blockade TO oct
reinforcements.
On Wednesday the LIST, he says: Our men
have now been live days in the trenches. ly
ing on salt meat tor four weeks, and no change
OF clothing for three weeks.
On the ID it was ascertained that the rebels
had additional guns mounted. Firing contin-
ued between the gunboatS and the rebel bat
terles, and one OF tile guns of the latter was
seen to be dismounted.
Writing on the 4th, he says Another dav
has passed. The gunboat Ceres ran the
blockade last night, bringing ammunition for
the tort and gunboats. At noon, as one of
the batteries on the river was not firing. two
companies OF the maosaUiiuoett-- OCH '..--.o
sent down the river on boat. The vessel
got aground and was fired upon. The troops
then came back, with four men wounded. In
the afternoon small battery in front of the
fort pitched in, and the fort replied, dismount-
ing one of their guns, when the firing ceased
Down the river occasionally Il gun was fired
~, boot l. i ii. Al
pickets stated that our wounded had been re-
moved to Greenyille with the rebel wounded,
and were all doing well. They were sur
prised to learn that Gen. Foster was at Wash
lngtOn.
The rebels boosted that they had got our
forces sure this time-that the men would be
paroled at once, but the officers would be re-
tanned. They were also surprised to learn
that they had not ruined the gunboat Commo-
dore Hull. Food is getting scarce with the
poor secesh, but they will yet suffer worse
The weather is cold, and we find frewood
very scarce. We have torn down some old
buildings belonging TO Mr.. Grist, to use for
wood. The surgeons have also taken his fine
house for hospital, He may think we are
taking good care OF his property, but he should
not have been a rebel.
April 5.-ro-day we have been shut in a
week. Each side is strengthening its
trenchments. We are anxiously expecting
reintorcements. There is heavy firing down
the river. Fodder for our horses has given
out. Families are suffering. The garrison
has provisions for two weeks
april This is the ninth day of the siege.
There is but little doing. The rebels have
opened fire on the gunboats. They have
also fired 32-pounder at the town tifty-three
times doing no injury. A deserter says the
rebel general Garnett made speech to his
mon yesterday, promising to lead them on to
victory to-day. Ii he comes we shall see who
gains the victory.
April S.-Across the river the rebels have
been banging away all day, and have wasted
five thousand pounds of powder, hurting no
one. We pay but little attention to them.
Some Of their balls have been picked up and
sent back. Foster is in high spirits. He has
more than doubled the strength of our en-
trenchments, and the hundred shovels and
spades we have are constantly in use.
We are expecting reinforcements. Last
night a raft was sent down the river with an
empty barrel upon it. The rebels fired away
at it, and we hope they enjoyed themselves.
The men are now on three fourth rations, but
it will not injure them, as they have but little
work to do. Yesterday, two beeves were
captured from the enemy and killed. Our
friends have no cause for worrying on our ac-
count.
APTlt l0-11 4. M.-This morning, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock, the rebels open
ed 1lre upon the fort and kept it up for
halt an hour. Two shells struck inside the
fort; two shot went through the flag Of the
fort; quite number OF shots struck the en-
trenchments, but no one was injured on our
side. Mr.. Mci<lm of the Louisiana ran the
blockade last night, with a steamer load OF
ammunition.