Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-04-27
From Eastern North Caro:ira.

l
Our readers will be surprised to learn that |
instead of capturing Washington, as all had
confidently hoped and expected he would do,
Gen. Hill has found it necessary to raise the
siege and retire to Greenville, some % miles :
from Washington, up the Tar river. Such
is the news brought from the spot by Gov.
Vance.
We had heard some days ago of an acct
dent to the second Whitworth gun, by which
it was rendered useless. Being thus depriv-
ed Of both those powerful long range guns,
Gen. Hill appears to have had no others of
sufficient power to prevent the yankee gun
beats and transports from passing up the
river with reinforcements and supplies; and
then his only course was to retreat-per-
haps with q hope that the enemy may fol-
low him.
Having no doubt of Gen. Hills courage
and judgment as a commander, which have
been tested upon numerous fields, from
Bethel to Fredericksburg, we have full con-
fdence that he has done all he could-th that
he would have captured Washington if that
had been practicable with the means at his
command and without too great a sacrifice
of life.
We think it very unfortunate. however,
that the demonstrations against Newbern
ano Washington were made, unless they had
been successful. They will furnish the yam
kee vandals with an excuse for exercising
their hellish vindictiveness on the citizens in
those places and the surrounding country.
Indeed we already hear of their burning
> houses, fences and everything else tat comes
in their way and also taking away horses
stock, provisions, &C., leaving the people en-
tirely destitute. God pity all who are il
the enerny's lines after this.
Major Nethercutt, commanding about Oh
hundred and twenty men of the Eighth n. c
Battalion, engaged and fought a large fore
of Abolitionist at Sand Ridge, sixteen mile
this side Of Ncwbe-n, on the 18th. Tt
fight lasted one hour and twenty minute
Our loss was two killed and four wouRde
The latter have arrived in town. Major N
thercutt having retired behind breastwork
Q was reinforced and again advanced upon II
: enemy, forcing him to fall back in turn. III
|. Yankee force was estimated at two thousan
e Their loss is unknown, but must have be-
t considerable.
y Another skirmish occurred at Core. Gre,
q on the goth, in which we had three men Xxi
k ed and some taken prisoners. .
e On the same day the 2Oth) three comp
v MES, viz A, B and E, of the 10th Regimen
Il N. G. Troops, engaged the enemy belc
n Kinston on the Dover Road. The force
]. the enemy was three regiments Of infant
:. and one of cavalry. Our little band VI
= forced to fall back before overwhelming for
DR. of the enemy.
n The Yankee loss is heavy, among whom
=. a Brigadier General. Our loss is, in killt
wounded and missing, about 40 men.
- = Our men fought from behind entrenchmel
Ill . and did not lose a man until they were flank
to : by the enemy, and in cutting their way 9
20 they suffered the losses above stated.
LATER.-Since the failure of the yankees
Charleston, 100 vessels have made their q
= pearance at Beaufort N. o., with troops.
le is expected that they intend an advance
on Kinston aud Goldsboro' in tremendc
force. But with Gems. Hill and Whiting
re meet them, and Beauregard's Charleston
on my to reinforce from, nc fears need be ent
rs tanned of their reaching either point.
1 things now stand, it was fortunate that G
Hill moved from Washington towards K
lor ston. We shall doubtless hear of the.f
test kind of work In Eastern North Carol
very soon.
he u.,p.s coanr .o