The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-10
BY TELEGRAPH
EVENING PAPERS,
Gen. Fosters Position at Washington, N. G.

Gen. Fosters Position at Washington, N. c.
NETWORK, April Q.
From various correspondents the following
auditional facts are CLEANED relative to Gen
Fosters position at Washington, Nc On
the 10th ult., about 10000 rebels under Hill
ana Pettigrew were on the north side of the
town, and seven regiments on the south bank
of Pamlico river.
Two companies of the 44th Massachusetts,.
while on reconnaissance, marched right into
an ambuscade, suffering considerably from the
whitening fire of musketry at short range
Capt. Lyons company, of the North Carolina
troops, was also badly cut up; three or four
were killed and six or eight wounded. Among
the latter was Capt Lyon. The gunboat Com
Hull opened on the rebels, scattering them.
That night the rebels took up all the buoys in
the river, and planted batteries in such posi-
ton along its banks as to render it almost i'm
possible for the vessels to pass, and established
themselves on Red Hill, some two miles from
the town, completely commanding our works.
The next day the Com. Hull got aground and
was struck thirty times by the rebel batteries.
but finally got Off Two transports with troops
unsuccessfully attempted to reach Gen. Fos-
ter. A small lighter had succeeded in reach
ing Gen. Foster with supply of ammunition,
the daring feat having been accomplished by
MIR. Gilbert Hill has notified Gen. Foster to
remove all the women and children, as he in
tended to shell the town, but up to the I'd inst
1T had not been done, as our gunboats had
kept the rebel batteries fully engaged. On the
4th more gunboats had arrived, and Others
with and 10-inch guns were expected on the
9TH. The fort is heavily sodded, and Gen.
Foster has over 1000 troops
A Newbern letter, dated Sd inst, 10 p NJ,
states that the gunboats had arrived at the
mouth OF Tar river, and it is thought that they
will be able TO demolsh the rebel batteries.
Gems. Palmer and Prince have taken such
steps as will lead to the removal of all fears
for the safety of Gen. Foster.
The rebels are reported to have 5000 men
on the road between Newborn and Washing
ton.
Consolidation Of Regiments. Important Reg
ulations.
NEW YORK, April o.
General orders for the consolidation of regi-
ments have been issued. The following are
the most important rules:
Infantry. 1st-Each regiment will be con-
solidated into five or less number of COM
panies, and the Colonel, Major and one Asst.
Surgeon mustered out.
Cdrdtry. 2d-Each regiment will be con-
solidatedinto six or less number of companies
and the Colonel, two Majors and one Assistant
Surgeon mustered out.
artillery. 3d-Each regiment will be CON
solidated into six or a less number of batteries,
and the Colonel, two Majors and one Assistant
Surgeon mustered out.
4th.-The companies and batteries formed
by consolidation will be of maximum strength,
and will be organized as now directed BY the
law and regulations. The first letters OF the
alphabet will be used to designate the CON-
panies.
5th-The company officers, commissioned
and non-commissioned, rendered supernumer-
airy, will be mustered out OF the service ut the
date of consolidation. All other officers and
non-commssioned officers will be retained.
s6th-The officers TO be retained will be Sc
leeted by the division and corps commanders,
under the instruction OF the commanding
general of the army or department, from
among the most efficient officers of the re-
speetiYe repiinenfs