a federal relief column under brig. gen. henry prince sailed up the tar river. once prince saw the rebel batteries, he simply turned the transports around. a second effort under brig. gen. francis barretto spinola moved overland from new bern. spinola was defeated along blount's creek and returned to new bern. foster decided that he would escape washington and personally lead the relief effort leaving his chief-of-staff, brig. gen. edward e. potter in command at washington. on april 13, the uss "escort" braved the confederate batteries and made its way into washington. the "escort" delivered supplies and reinforcements in the form of a rhode island regiment. it was aboard this ship on april 15 that foster made his escape. the ship was badly damaged and the pilot mortally wounded, but foster made it out.