Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-21

do, and the events have been telegraphed far
and wide but have yet TO learn of an I'M
armed transport, loaded with a regiment of
men and cargo of supplies and ammunition,
even attempt such thing as that here mar
rated.
NEwBERN, N. c., April l6-12 M.
General Foster, Lieut.. Col Hoffman, Capt.
Gouraud, and Lieut.. Edw. p. Peters. ad-de-
camp, arrived here at nine o'clock ,-t night,
on the steamer Escort, in safety, FROM Wash
ington, having successfully run the batteries
on Rodman's Point, and that at Hills Point.
The Escort left Washington yesterday
morning at half-past five o'clock, having on
board the above named officers. When the
boat arrived withinthe range of the upper bat
terry on Rodman's farm the rebels opened upon
her with artillery, and as she approached the
shore with volley upon volley of musketry,
which was continued without intermssion un.
til all the batteries had been passed. As |
have already informed you, the channel of the
river, for about four miles between Hills
Point and Rodman's farm, runs close in shore,
where the rebel batteries are placed, and the
danger was most imminent. As soon as the
upper battery on Rodman's farm had been
passed, the second one took up the fire, and
the third, and continued it until the Escort
had reached u point within range of the works
at HilPs Point Then the noise of the can
nonadlng and musketry was indeed terrible.
No less than eighteen solid shot and shells
struck and passed through the steamer, COM
pletely riddling herupperworks, partially diSa-
bling hermachinery, while the bullets ofthe enc
my's sharpshooters perforated her joiner work
like a sieve. When opposite the lower bat
terry, on Rodman's farm, the pilot, Mr.. Peder-
lex, a native of this state, was killed at his
post by one OF the rebel sharpshooterS. In
mediately upon the fail OF Frederick, Captain
Wall sent for a negro, who knew the channel
and compelled him to point out the course of
the steamer past the blockade, while one of
the New York pilots of the boat handled the
wheel. The boat went on down the stream
at rapid rate, and though experiencing prob
ably the hottest fire to which a transport boat
was ever subjected, reached and passed the
lower fort and blockade without further loss
OF life. Chief engineer Cross, of the Escort,
stood at his post during the entire trip, and by
Ills GOODNESS and courage elected the warmest
praise of the officers on board The pilotw who
was killed, is spoken OF as being one of the
brayest men Of this department, and his loss
will be severe one to General Foster, in
whose immediate employ he has been for the
past year
1t would be useless for me to attempt to
describe the appearance of the Escort, as she
lies at her wharf, back of w. C. Hamilton
& Co.'S warehouses, an object of wonder and
curiosity to thousands. One of the shots of
the enemy-a twelve FOUNDER Whitworth-
passed directly through the berth which had
just been vacated by Gen. Foster, and another
struck one of the connecting rods above the
cylinder crosshead, indenting and bending it
SO as to render it almost useless.
Gen. Spinola's brigade made reconnois-
ance out on the Swift creek road fourteen
miles, yesterday and the day before, and sue
ceeded in capturing rebel picket of four men
at New Hope Schoolhouse. The general and
his command returned here last night.
Gen. Heckman's brigade, from Hilton Head
"a part of the force which Gen. Foster took
from here to aid Gen. Hunter-is arriving to-
night.