Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-30
RAISING raE SIEGE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Our readers have already b. Informed that the rebels
have abandoned their attack Washington North Caro-
ias, hopeless task The following extracts Of letters
from place furnish interesting details ofth siege
aud OF the withdrawal Of the enemy;
Previous to the departure of Gen Foster from Wash
ngton he issued general order c0mpmenting the gari
and stating that no about to leave 10 order to put
himself at tho head OF reinorcements As he passed down
the river the enemy, finding it impossible TO sink i'm
pede the progress of the Escort turned all his batteries
upon the gunboats and Fort Ham ton from Rodman's,
and all his batteries the hill upon the fort Washngton)
and eIrenchmens making the air rembe with the rover
beraon OF artillery Finding the fort and guns along the
breastworks not paying any attention to bis artillery, he
drew bis out of battery and for the time being again
relapsed into sulen mood heavy thunder storm set
ting in at III A. M and continuing to rain at Intervals all
day, he again opened from Rodmans this time bringing
into battery 80 FOUNDER PARROT his shells falling in the
town and going through several buildings.
From deserters following have been ascertaned
respecting the besiegng force:
The following were the number of troops under Hills l7lh
23h 26h, 32d 43d 45th, 47th SD and 53d Norh Caro-
lima; 59th North Carolina cavalry; 8th 18TH 18TH GOTH
28tb 59h, and 56tb Virginia 18th Confederate cavalry
Ga Georgia lst artillery numbering from thirty to forty
piecesmaking effective force of twelve fourteen
thousand men.
It was the intention of Gen. Garnett the rebel CON-
mander to make the attack the morning of the 3lst
ultimo the lat instant and take it by storm knowing
that garrison only numbered fifteen hundred men at
the time Remembering position, and finding the
boats able to throw shells mile beyond line of de-
fences deemed il prudent to entrench himself and bring
his artillery into position and lay siege and shell out the
fort and In the breastworks Failing to accomplish
this and finding the guns at the fort ably worked and
seeing gallant soldiers watcbul and ready at
their posts, he did not attempt the storm charge
On Tuesday, March 4h, darnett received orders from
Gen. Hill TO charge upon the Notifications and take them
at all hazards Hs replied that in charging he would lose
onehsf of his men in coming in and the remainder n
ing out Orders were received BY him Yesterday Q5.h)
the next morning He moved his artillery and infantry
during the night leaving his cavalry to his retreat
Gen Potter soon had all the enemys entrenchments
leveed down and strong picket thrown out upon all the
roads &4s
The enemy were still at Rodman's Point. The gunboats
Eagle and Ceres were sent down to shell the Point
After Smelling for some time and receiving no RESPONSE and
seeing about the Point the third assistant engineer
Of the Ceres and Masters Mate Hudson and two start
ed ashore in boat to plant the colors When close into
shore about fifty of the enemy from behind repts
and fired into the boat killing Mr. Maahan third assistant
engineer
The gunboats back, and at P NJ the Eagle went
down again The Eagle close to the Point she
could endiag her shell into their brsatworks with great
precision. Mr.. Lay, with eight Of the First North
Carolina volunteers bis gun crew, went ashore followed
by Masters Mate Tucker, with howitzer and five
and the coors floating the breastwolks
One half hour later three companies Of the Fifth Rhode
lsland snd gun Of the Third New York artillery
rived and Immediately proceeded reconnaissance.
Capt Hopkins Of the Fifth being in advance came up to
four of the enemy He had placed his administers in such
position that the rebels surrounded The prisoners
volunteers; Drum Major Mutt, and private of the
Fiftrth North Carolina volunteers Capt Park reported
Gen Hills force at six thousand men, three thousand at
the Cross Roads He said that town would be stormed
again within three days. ROdmans is occupied by
forces.
The Eagle with three companies Of the Forty fourth
Massachusetts, went down to Hills Point to occupy it,
after Smelling it out The Louisiana went down duEing
the night to Hills Point.
The following account of the advance Of GEN Ma
gee through the eney country from Newbern to Wash
ngton the enemys force being reported very large and
authentic account received of the siege Of Washington
having been raised:
Gen. Naglee with his staff left Newbern at eleven o'clock
Saturday the 9Th instant in advance of the expedition
for the relief of Washington Gen. Nsgee passed the rebel
works ut BloUnt's creek at two p. NJ The works
found OF formidable character but hal been deserted
probably twelve hours judging from the smoke Of the
campfres He learned that the rearRuard Of the enemy
some ten miles in advance Our infantry, consisting
of Heckmans, Amorys. and Lees brigsdes, encamped
here and the General with his staff pushed ater
ing for his cavalry escort to up Signs of the enemy
were seen in the shape OF deserted camps The small
party reached ChOcowinty creek about FIVE p M and
found the main bridge destroyed and made detour OF
about mile up the STREAM where passage was secured by
means OF a small bridge mill The road mme
datey pcketed to the bridge where the enemys cavalry
were met advancing ard shots exchanged. The enemy's
advance was checked and both parties hvouacked within
fifty ards Of each other
At four o'clock the following moroing Sunday the pas
sage Of the bridge forced in the brilliant
The r~b-ls driven from their entertainments, II
their number killed wounded captain captured and
regmenta color taken The hpwltzer brought into
play and the enemy pursued with occasional firing up
the junction OF the Greenve and Washington roads The
enemy made short stand at this point but few we'll
directed shells and handsome dash Of cavalry sent
them again the run, taking the road to Greenvlle
Gen Nsgee III n took the road to Washington being
ceved with cheer upon cheer he advanced through the
Union lines He reached Gen. Fosters eadquarters in
Washington about hafpast eight on the 18TH
About three p nj. Of the 10Th, Brgadier General Heck
man. accompanied by his adutant general Capt Abel and
Others Of his staff arrived in Washington having by
way Of Hills Point whittier portion of bis command bad
been ordered by Gen Foster the presumption that the
rebels still h. la the batteries there In the whole c0ur
Of the march-some forty mies-the troops Cen Heck
mans brigade fatered and considering that they
had Just arrived from position Of long naction in South
Carolina the march is credtabe to their orttude and
durance
Msor Gen Foster arrived 10 Washington shortly after
Gen Heckman. He left Newbern the I7th with Amo-
rvs and Wesses divisions Of infantry aud three batteries
of artillery under command Of Major Stone II was
ported that the enemy 10 force front after the first
days march, and preparations made to attack him
The report proved erouDdess nearly So for the only
bells found those that Naglees had either cap
tured or were driving before them.
At the latest date the 2lst Instant Major General Eos
ter and Brgader Generals Naglee Hickman and Potter
with their several staff, and with the Ninth New Jersey
Volunteers had returned to Newborn, the fight of the
enemy having rendered their presence longer necessary
at Washington.