The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-11-29

Ersn sousA.easssrn virginia:
Correspondence Of the New York Tribune.
SUFFOLK, Va, Nov. 20, 1852.
The Rebels are getting bold in our vicinity
The other side of the Blackwater we have not
yet dispossessed them of, and there is q dark
streak little way on this side that we hear of
their visiting without much surprise or indigna.
ton, but when it comes to Carsville, come Is
miles off, and particularly when nearer than
that We are disposed to 90 out and try titles
with them Ard yet, on the night Of the 18th
and again on the 18th, some 200 of their caval-
~ made dash on = cavalry picket post of ours
On one of these occasions one OF our cavslry
pickets was wounded in the face, and on the
l4th lively skirmish occurred between large
body Of their cavalry and the LIST New York
Mounted Rifles, laPting several hours. in which
the opposing bodies Unanswered . good deal
and fought some, without any serious results on
either side. s -! 1880 as sas'a, 80
On Monday of this week large force went
out from Suffolk with neat little programme,
the accomplishment of which depended on one
or two contingencies, which am sorry to say,
derapged the full success of the undertaking,
but good deal was gained that will be Of ad-
vantage to us in the future. The force consist
ed Of the most of Vessels Brigade, one regi-
ment of Terry's, and all of Fosters, with part
of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and part
Of the New York Mounted Rifles and Follett's
battery. The march commenced At O'Clock
on Monday afternoon, and continued until just
at daybreak on Tuesday morning, when the de-
tachment reached Ludlow Lawrences planta-
ton on the Black water, distance Of thirty
miles, twas not expected that any rebel force
WAS stationed here,iit being supposed that the
rebel camp in Franklin, seven miles further down
the river, contained the nearest of them. But,
on reaching the place, our advance guard was
saluted by musket shots from rebel pickets, Who
we're driven in, and while our battery was vigo-
rously Smelling the woods on the opposite shore,
about fifty yards of. they and the Massachusetts
9th, which was in the front supported them, re
ceived several volleys Of musketry.
The gray backs could not stand long before the
effective missiles sent by the battery, and they
broke and scattered through the woods, Asquad
OF cavalry and two companies of infantry crossed
the stream, and found the camp Of North Car
DINA regiment, most wretchedy furnished, with
but three tents and dirty quarters unlike any
thing yet found among our ownboys. Breakfast
was just being prepared, and potatoes and corn
bread constituted the entire bin of fare. let
ter from North Carolina soldier to his father,
detailed sad story OF privation and suffering.
Pototoes, he said constituted the principal food,
and all the country side had been skinned and
left poor enough. His regiment had been there
but short time from Petersburg, and must be-
fore long 60 elsewhere, or starve. A few srti-
cles such as two or three sabres, In ,psacks, &c
were found, but several important items OF in
formation, in letters just written or received,
constituted the chief gain. .-ess-s. n
Our main force would have crossed, and a
neat thing would have been done, but for the
accidental destruction Of pontoon, which pre-
vented the crossing of the battery, and not know
ing how large a number might, like the regiment
referred to, have been transported tbither from
Petersburg, it was considered unsafe to go over
and attempt the proposed project SC .
At about the middle of the forenoon We heard
what we had been e1pecting-the discharge
of cannon at franklin where portion Of our
battery had been sent, and We were ordered
down to support the battery there. A'smart
exchange Of grape, canister and shell was car.
ried on at a distance Of two miles from Frank
lin, lasting two or three hours. A rocket bat
terry, taken by the rebels from Mcclellan, one
heavy rifed gun, and several smaller ones, were
concealed in the woods on theopposite side OIL
the river. and cavalry force occupied this side
on our arrival, which suddenly decamped, and
was concealed IN the woods on the opposite
shore. Twice the rebel battery was compelled
to change position-pretty good proof that on
shots did some damage. The stream at Franklin
is deep, and we could not cross without heav.
artillery force, under cover of which to build
bridge. The rebels have here a swinging ant
fost;ng bridge, attached to the further shore
Weremained as long as was deemed necessary
when we returned homeward, having twice beef
under fire, and accom- lished 60 miles in Al
hours without any lose except that Of few
strsgglers, who will yet come, or possibly conn
of them picked up by the guerrillas, and have al
opportunity to visit Richmond. s,.
The blackwater is admirably adapted for lint
of defense. The banks are high and bold, th'
water deep and swift. and the stream narrow
When the proper time comes, it will be easy
to occupy the Notifications in. Suffolk with I
small force, and send the main body on to Frank
| lin. The Seabosrd Rsilroad and the ChowaI
River can furnish transportation for supplie
equal to the Norfolk Railroad and the Nanse-
nond, while the nearness to Newborn and to Pc
tersburg would give US q great advantage owe
our present position. , s,-.,rr
We intend to give the rebels an opportunit..
to exercise all the troops they can afford to keel
in Petersburg and along the Blackwater. ..,s,a
SoJoURNER.