Newbern weekly progress., 1863-01-10
Important from the Blackwater.

The Enemy on This Side of the BLackUGteT
IN E0rce-( (Hnrge on tie RebeL Scouts Nine
Captured-1he Prisoners Warmly Clothed
Uith BlaHket OEercOats TIER Statements
as to the Rebel Force on this Side Of tie
Bldch7oater-4 Surprise Party Surprised
Sir Prisoners Iakes-. .Sta5bing ARRAY at
Norfolk, dc.
FORTRESS MONROE Dec. %. 1862.
The rebels have crossed the Backwater in force
and warm work may be daily expected in the
neighborhood Of Suffolk. In my last letter IN.
ormed you that the enemy already had two piec' s
of artillery this side of the Blaekwater, be.
tween Franklin and Zuni, and that :our pieces
the other side protected them.
Since then large force of infantry, cavalry
and artillery crossed near that point, and at the
last report were still on this side
Yesterday afternoon, about three o'clock, Col
Gibbs of the 18th New York, commanding a
brigade, received orders to occupy the attention
of the enemy s scouts for particular purpose,
which, for the present, shall be nameless. The
brigade was moving rapidly tow ards Cars
vile. but had no. passed far beyond our advanced
pickets before ihpse of the enemy were discov.
cred. Our troops charged and drove them
considerable distance, capturing nine of the
rebels. The night being now far advanced, and
soldiers weary with their long and hasty
march. the brigade bivuuacked some ten or
eleven miles from Suffolk. throwing out a strong
picket guard. The enemy showed no disposition
to make an attack, and the object of the ezpedi
tion being accomplished, Col. Gibbs returned
with his command and prisoners at early hour
this morning.
The captured rebels were warmly and com
fortably clothed. Over their dark suit of gray
they wore army over coats made of hite flannel
blankets, the black line extending around the
bottom. The coats reached nearly to their
ankles. Two or three wore shawls in lieu of The
overcoat. They we've well shod. Most of them
had black slouched hats on their heads. = IS
Those of the prisoners who are communicating.
agree in saying that the rebel Gen, Pisor is at
Carsviile, and that his force consists Of two
bri gaaes Of infantry.ztwo regirnents of eavalrya
'aad nine pieces of artillery. One said that if
our column had advanced little further it would
Union soldier whe4acyompaa,ed the exps,litiah
here quietly chimed in ns.'sYes; but utNeAdidnA
see it I"
Opstbe same afternoon another very interest
ing affair occurred on the Windsor road, at Provi
dence church. At about dusk the enemy's pick
cts accidentally entered our mounted picket line
The rebels evidently intended tn surprise us,
but were surprised at our surprising them, and
fred after them, wcunding two One of these
escaped The other and five of the fleeing rebels
overtaken and captured. The prisoners
resembled those mentioned above il their dress
and appearance.
FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 80 1862.
The prisoners have been brought here. A
serious stabbing atfray occurred at Norfolk at
about six oclock last evening. A man named
Miles Taylor was descending the Steps of the
National Hotel, |, aiding into the street, when he
fell, and was lifted up by man namet Williams
Taylor said that he would rather lay the
ground than be picked up by damned seces
sinnist, when Williams drew dirk knife and
stabbed Taylor i'll the back, nficting an ugly
wound Williams was arreste / Taylor is said
to be in command of the contrabands at Norfolk.
and Williams old resident Of that city. Both
parties were liquor
Weather cloudy, rainy aud windy to-day.