The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-05-02
Jos. n. Sears, Editor and Proprietor.
PORT ROYAL, SATURDAY, MAY ., 1868.
North Carolina Saved

We are nappy 10 sec ny TIC NC" l yin iaPefS
Of the 25th ultimo, that the reinforcements sent
by Gen. Hunter to relieve Gen. Foster and save
the Department of North Carolina, have fully ac-
complished their task. They sailed from here on
the 18th of April. On the morning of the l4th,
cwo days subsequently Gen. Hill, commanding
the rebels in North Carolina ordered the seige of
Washington to be abandoned, and all the available
usa of his command to be Immediately coneentra-
ted for the purpose Of resisting an expected grand
attack This case illustrates very forcibly the close
watch kept by the rebel pickets on DAVIS Island OF
all movements of troops in Port Royal Harbor.
But, for once, their vigilance has been the means
of outwitting the Rebel chiefs.
The news of the sailing of Heckman's Brigade
for North Carolina undoubtedly reached Gen. Hill
BY telegraph on the morning of the 18th Of April,
and was probably magniSed, in course oftransmis-
sion, into statement that ssall the troops of the
Fosters relief. Acting under this impression, Gas
it was hoped he would act,) Gen. Hill at once gave
orders for raising the seige of Westinghouse
that, when the gallant Gen. Naglee arrived at the
scene Of operations on the morning fthe 10Th ut,
it was only to find that Gen. Foster had escaped
with some few members of his personal Staff on
the afternoon Of the 14th ofthe same month, Gen.
Foster evidently not having been aware, at the
time of his escape and the issuing Of his farewell
order to the garrison left behind. him, that the
seige of his position had been raised some hours
before under the stress Of General Hunters
strategy.
There was no battle offered; no battle fought.
Gen. Palmer commanding the North Carolina
forces at Newbern, was Of opinion that his COM
mand was too inferior in point Of numbers 10 the
enemy, to hazard a general engagement. The vic
tory Is therefore boodless one, but none the less
important. The Departments of North Carolina is
saved. The seise of Washington has been raised
by the apprehensions created in the mind Of Gen.
Hill from bis knowledge Of ths movements in Port
Royal Harbor and We now have every reason to
hope for the prompt retnrn Of Gen. Heckman's
Brisade,-its mission successfully accomplished
and its services being indispensably needed here
for renewal of the active operations at present
imminently pending.
That the Brigade has not already been sent
back, in obedience to Gen. Hunters orders in
sending it, we do not regard as any good argument
against Gen. Fosters good faith or gratitude.
Large bodies of troops move slowly; and as Gen.
F. must lie aware how entirely he owes the saliva.
ton of his command to the assistance SO generous
ly and promptly volunteered by Gen. Hunter, We
feel confident that Gen. Hickman forces will be
returned here without days unnecessary delay,
in conformity with the order sending them-to be
found in another column. These troops have
been assigned by the Government to service in this
Department. They were sent 10 Gen. Fosters re
lief with magnanimity Gall the histcry of the
case taken into view,) having iew parallels; and
if Gen. F. does not reciprocate the courtesy and
Kindness which sent them, he will incur very Sc