The New York herald., 1864-05-06

George III. Harris Despatch.
Mr,r ~ lQl

NEwBERS, N. c., May I, 1864.
nn kvAcuAnoS oV wAEiNGros-sAyYTY xswBEN
The Of Washington has been evacuated This
step dictated by strategic motives, and s regarded
m evincing able gsneralship on the part Of General
Palmer Owing TO precautionary steps taken by the
General the enemy received intmatiop OF this facs
until all had been accomplished. This beating them a.
their own game. Tho evacuation was complete suc-
cess and everything Of vaue comprising large quan-
tty OF artillery, ordnance, quarermaster and comms-
sary stores, was safely brought away. All the loyal
citizens and their families wen all the negroes,
were likewise brought here and that which is left behind
win not afford the enemy much comfort. Owing TO an
accident stable was set on re, and spreading caused
some DAMAGE butt, vigorous efforts being made arrest
It, n is hoped but slight loss viii be occasoued
The enemy made their first appearance at Washington
with i've brgades but when the boats sent TO assist ID
tie evacuation arrived imagining them to contain rein
of their force TO knston and only keeping small forca
before Washington. There s for apprehen-
sion for the safety OF Newbern
REnEr cAr1uRrn
ON Wednesday last Colonel Jourdan. commanding tho
subdsrict of Beaufort despatched captain Kelly, OF
Ninth Vermont, with a detachment OF twenty men, to
capture rebel fishing party on Bogue Banks The Cap
tain succeeded In capturing the entire party composed
OF six individuals, residing in Kinston.
On the return OF this expedition the Colonel had re-
ceved information that induced him to order Captain
Kelly. with fifty men, to swansboro He was directed to
take a ponto0n boat with him.
On arriving opposite to the place indicated the Captain
the friendly darkness Of the night, capsurod the entire
party.
Tho results rebel lieutenant thirteen prvates
their arms and equipments and the sheriff and two other
prominent civil officials Of Onsow county The whole Of
this was accomplished by Captain Kelly without sustain
ing the loss OF man, and reflects great credit upon
himself and men,
The Capture or Plymouth and Evacu.
alton or Washtn ston-Complcso De-
structiOn or the Latter Town by
Fire, &C., &c.
From officers OF the army and passengers who have
arrived from North Carolina the following intelligence ID
obtained
Washington, N. c., Of the handsomest towns
IN the State. with It's ancient shade forming.
perfect arbor every street, laid IN ashes by
struggling and soldiers tho time OF It's hasty
evacuation by our forces.
The government naval stores, the commssary siores
and tho ordnance and quartormaster stores, together
with the destruction OF the town. which mostly owned
by Union people, amounting TO several millions OF dol
lara altogether, made mountain OF flame, illuminating
horizon for distance Of seventy miles from tho
scene Of horror, devastation and alarm.
Four thousand Union troops suddenly evacuated this
Gibraltar of America In tho face OF companies Of
rebels leaving Union population OF tho to
the tender mercos OF tho enemy after burning their
houses their heads and leaving them without
mouthul Of food much bod 10 pillow the heads
Of the sick and dying.
The frantic shreks Of the helpless and children
and the pul appeals OF their brothers and fathers for
protection from rebel bayonets, the United States
steamers left the DOCKS leaving them to their fate are
described by those who witnessed them as being tho
most affecting and melancholy sight witnessed.
The act is universally denounced.
The rebel ram At Plymouth, which s receiving on
board the two FOUNDER Parrot gun captured by
her at that point and the rebel the Neuse river
above Newbern have decided TO the attack
gunboats without waiting for assistance from then
army.
Refugee Union families from Plymouth aud Wash
ingtou continually arriving in large nurnbers
at Eewbern and Beaufort Immediate assistance, in the
shape OF clothng food and money from the North Is
ourcd by every consideration Of humanity.
Another Account OF tho Burning Of
Washington.
BALTIMORE, May s, 1864.
The accounts from Washington, N. c., are evidently
greatly exaggerated.
letter received in this city from Fortress Monroe this
morning says that several refugees have arrived from
Washington N. c. They report that tho place was
burned last Saturday, probably by a guerilla party
II should be remembered that Washington
only very small town, which in Its most prosperous
days had only popuationif about two shousand nhab.
itants and BUN. mainly OF wood that 1t Is alb.
surd speak Of loss OF several millions OF dollars.