The Shasta courier., 1863-04-18
SH ASIA COURIER.
EASTERN NEWS.

left Mellcan'S bend lew Gays since, eacn
consists of full division Of infantry, COM
mended by Gems. Steele and Osternause.
A letter from Young's Point, La, OF the
I'd inst, says that on Tuesday the -6yth IL
inois regiment marched from Mclean
Bend to Willow Bayou Lake, three or four
miles from the river, thence through connect
ing bayous to Richmond, FIVE miles from
here, on the Vicksburg and Shreveport rail
road, where they are now encamped: A
small company of rebels occupied the place,
who retreated. skirmishing, as our troops
approached. Two are reported killed and
one or two captured. We sustained no loss.
Richmond commands the bayous through
which our transports will pass if the canal be
completed, hence it is important. The oc
cupation will be permanent, 1T is thought,
and will break up u troublesome communi-
~ of spies and informers.
The Federal forces at Greenwood are un-
derstevd to have been reinforced IN troops
and ordnance, and the movement seems more
hopeful than it was a week ago.
Cincinnati, sth.-A letter from leading
officer in Rosecrans' army, received here to-
day, dated April 4th, states thstthe enemy
in their front have been relnforofd, and that
the numbers are overwhelmingly large
Deserters bring this intelligence to head
quarters, and state that no retreat from the
present position of the rebels is contemplated.
Philadelphia, Sth.-A private letter, dated
off Charleston April lst, says it is reported
that Charleston has been evacuated by the
women and children The Federal iron
clads have been in the Edesto river, nine
miles south of here, for week. Admiral
Dupont will be here to-day, when, it is said,
the bombardment will come off / think the
report is probable, as the rebels had time
and opportunity to fortify the land approach
es and make them almost impregnable. We
have been engaged for the last two days in
hanging chains to the sides of our vessels to
protect the machinery.
Washington, Sth.-The Government up
to one O'Clock has not received any informa
ton regarding events at Charleston.
New York, Sth.-The Evening Post learns
that on the 18th Gen. Foster was at Little
Washington with a brigade of North Carolina
troops. and Il number of other troops. He
was virtually surrounded by rebels, who had
erected batteries on the river between Little
Washington and Newberne. 1t is under
stood that battle between General Foster
and the rebels had taken place. Nothing
definite is known. Heavy firing was heard
from Wednesday night to Friday night, evi-
IDENTIFY from the rebel batteries. General
Fosters means of defense are deemed ample,
he having fort, entrenchments, a sufficient
9quantitye of ammunition and provisions.
Large reinforcements, in transports below
the. batteries, were unable to reach Foster,
for want of naval forces competent to take
them. Itis reported that he sent to Fortress
Monroe some time since for naval reinforce
ments. and it was expected that troops
would be sent from Suffolk.
q yNaS S+h In loff
received from officers attached to the Charles
ton expedition, written on the eve of the de-
partnre of the feet to attack that city, wri-
ters express themselves confident of success,
and say that such is the general feeling
among officers and men.
New York. 9th.-From various sources the
following additional facts are cleaned in re-
lation to Gen. Fosters position at Little
Washington, N. G. On the Both March.
about 10000 rebels, under Hill and Petit
grew, took "a position on the north side Of the
town; seven regiments were ON the south
side of the Pamlico river. Two companies
of the 44th Massachusetts, while on a recon-
aossance that day, marched right into an
ambush and suffered considerably from a
wither'ng fire Of musketry at short range
Capt. Lyons company of North Carolina
troops were also badly cut up, three or four
killed and several wounued; among the lat
ter was Capt. Lyons. The gunboat Com
pot opened fire on the rebels. scattering
them. That night the rebels took up all
buoys in the river, and planted batteries in
such a position along the bank as to render
it almost impossible for vessels to pass. They
established themselves on Red Hill, two
miles from the town, completely covering our
works. Next day the Compolt got aground,
and was struck thirty times by the rebel bat
terry, but finally got off. Two transports
with troops unsuccessfully attempted to reach
Foster. a small lighter succeeded in reach
ing him with supplies of ammunition.
Hill notified Foster to remove all the wo-
men and children, as he intended'to shell the
town, but up to the I'd it had not been done
as our gunboats had kept the battery fully
engaged. On the 18th more gUnboats arrived
and others with Q and IL inch guns were
expected. On the 9th the fort was heavily
sodded. Foster has over 1000 troops. A
Newborn dispatch of Sd 10 p. NJ. states that
the gunboats had arrived at the mouth of the
river, and it was thought that tn v would be
able to demolish the rebel battery. Gems.
Hunter and Prince were taking such steps as
would lead to a removal of all fears for the
safely of Foster 1he rebels are reported as
having 5000 men on the road between New
bern and Washington.
Harrisburg, Pa, 9th.-A majority of the
Senatorial Investigating committee to en-
quire whether unlawful measures were en-
ployed to secure the election of t. S. Sena-
tor, made report that General Cameron
was guilty of the charges of bribery preferred
against him by jefferson Bovce member of
the Legislature. 1t is understood that n mi
nority report, signed by Republican members
of the committee. Will differ materially. The
testimony is very voluminous.
New York, 9tb.-Washing.on dispatches
say that the excitement there in regard to ex-
eected attack on Charleston continues. The
Navy and War Departments are still without
official adviees.
Headquarters Army Potomac, Sth.-Rich-
sond papers of 9TH say that further senti-
ments are expressed eShorting the people of
the South to raise articles of food instead of
cotton. They containth following telegram:
Chattanooga. April -Skirmishing with
snemy's pickets are of daily occurrence, but
a general engagement is not eminent.
Jackson, Miss, April 7th-Reports from
Pors Hudson state that Gen. Bapls has fallen
back. One division of his army is at Baton
Rouge. the rest are down the river. At
YicksbGrg. every thing is quiet. but few
boats are in sight. There is nothing new in
sight on the Yazoo.
New York, llth.-The Tribune's dispatch
Of the 10th says that Richmond papers of the
11tl, Il,