New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-06
FROM SUFFOLK.
Prospects Of . Fight-Intentiens Of the En-
emy-Thc wisconsin Regiment, &c.

emy-The W1scons1n Ite8hment, 6c'
From Our Special Conespondent
sur1oLx, May o. 1869.
The indications are that we are likely to have
pretty hard fight before the Rebels now assembled
in our front bid us farewell. Each day gives its
manifestation that the enemy is busy along line,
and preparing either for q desperate resistance to
our, by them, anticipated advance upon Petersburg
or sanguinary onslaught upon our position.
learn from deeerters that the Rebel leaders have
been mistaken in the effect of the movement in this
direction, they supposing that the appearance OF
serious threat against Suffolk and Norfolk would
have the tendency to draw of la 20 re-enforcements
from Hookers force. In this they have been disap'
pointed, and now find themselves confronted by an
army quite equal in numbers to their own, ana the
Army of the Potomac has not been at all weakened
to secure such result. Longstreet is mortified AZ
the condition of things, and probably hopes 10 make
up in desperate maneuvers his failure IN strategy
lie appears TO be making extensive preparations ior
some event Of Importance and from the lact sual
big guns are on the way from Richmond II Is IN
ferred that be intends to make an attack, when ne
GETS ready, In the meantime Gems. Dix and Peek
are not ide and in event OF forward or backward
movement Of the enemy they will be fully prepared
for either LoDgstreet is maneuyering very beauti-
fully around US; and il is difficult TO sur
mise what he intends to do. Ii he
long to hope for success. If he is but making re.
treat as Is strongly suspected he is playing very
skilfu game, but it cannot win. He bas got to light
or run ignobly within week or ten days, aud the
chances are that he will be obliged to run in either
case, Yesterday there was q smart skrmsh on the
South QUAY road, between force on our side con-
ssting OF the 99th Regiment and three companies OF
the Sd New-York Regiment from Fortress Monroe.
and a regiment of Rebels concealed 10 rifle pits.
Afer sharp firing each aide, the Rebels sent Tor
ward brigade to support their skirmishers, and our
troops retired TO their works No serious casualties
occurred during the affair. To-day all has been ex
ceedngly quiet an occasional random shot alone tell
ing that we have an enemy near us.
The pickets have grown quite chatty and commu.
nicalive and exchange the cvties OF the season In
the peculiar style Of those sodier-gentry. Occa-
sionay come OF the remarks more emphatic than
choice, and such endearng epithe.s as liar,
a." scoundrel," thieves" "Degro stealers," will
pass between them, but upon the whole, they are
very well behaved pekets, and send nothing harder
than words over the line. The other night Lieut.
Col. Nixon of the 99th Regiment, went down TO bis
pcket-post disguised private and called over TO
The Rebel picket, Halo Reb' and the following
dialogue ensued:
Rf5.-" Hello Yank."
Nixon" Put down your gun, and come over and
have a talk"
Re6.-" Put down yours"
Me-" All right. / cay, how are you OIL for
Re5.-Oh, pretty well. Got lots of good bard
bread, marked, " Whfte Houseg'
Mr." That must be good by this time, But
bring Us over a newspaper
Rob-" Can't do il. Our officers don't let us ex-
change papers any more"
NlT.-"why, our officers let Us DO just as we
have n mind to-"
ReB. "Wby in h--ll do Mt YOU 60 home, then T.
Nir. ave are waiting to see you 90 first
RED. dwell, you II wait long time for thai, !
tell YOU. Good night"
Aud 20 the conference ended
The censure OF Gen. Getty upon the 10Th Wlscon-
sin Regiment bas been deemed extra severe. There
Is this be said in mitigation Of the cond OF the
regiment, that while stationed in Norfolk, the men
were deprived Of the services Of their Colonel,
Lieut.. Colonel Major, and Adjutant for nearly tho
whole time. These officers were upon detached
duty In the city, doing about the same work that
was performed for some time previously by Capt.
Lebenau, IA Provost Marshal; ard under tho cir
cumstances the men had 90 opportunity for drill or
discipline. l cay thus much ON behalf Of the pen,
who, believe, will show themselves good soldiers,
if they are only cared fer, and properly differed and
encouraged. II 10 really good regiment, and has
been condemned from combination Of peculiar cir
eumstances which they could not control. 5.