EVACUATION.
The steamer Thomas Collyer
arrived last night, bringing dispatches of some kind, but just what we were
unable to find out. This morning, however, the mystery was cleared up. The 12th
New York battery was on the wharf, the 46th Massachusetts and the other
detached companies were breaking camp, preparatory to going aboard the boat.
This meant evacuation and going to the relief of Foster. The 25th of course is
to be the last to leave, and we cast the last sad, lingering look on Plymouth.
That is always our style; the first in and last out, and never lost a battle.
But just here, the uncertainty of all things human is again illustrated. Just
is the troops were aboard, the old Massasoit comes putting up the river,
bringing the welcome news that Foster has run the blockade and the order of
evacuation is countermanded. Cheer after cheer rends the air, smiles light up
every counterance and hope takes the place of despair. But won't there be larks
now, though? If there is anybody hanging around Washington who does not belong
there, they had better be getting away.
COLONEL SISSON.
It seems that after
Spinola's abortion and the troops' return to Newbern, the brave Col. Sisson of
the 5th Rhode Island was so disgusted with the whole thing that he proposer
going with his regiment alone to Foster's relief. He and his regiment went
aboard the steamer Escort, and on the evening of the 13th, under cover of a
heavy fire from the guboats on the batteries at Hill's Point, seven miles below
Washington, he successfully ran the blockade, arriving at Washington with his
troops and supplies. The next evening, with Gen. Foster aboard, he again ran
the gauntlet, landing the general safely in Newbern. But it is said the Escort
looked like a pepper-box from the shot holes made in her while running the
gauntlet. On this perilous trip only one man (the pilot) was killed. The little
garrison at Washington held out bravely. It consisted of only eight companies
of the 27th and the 4th Massachusetts regiments, two companies of the 1st North
Carolina, one company of the 3d New York cavalry and one New York battery, aided
by two or three gunboats on the river. Against this small force was opposed
some 12,000 of the enemy as near as we can learn. After Gen. Foster got away
they did not seem to care to wait for his return, but folded their tents and
silently stole away.
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