American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-06-05
BLAcKwArER RIVER, VA, May 6, Il


BLAcKwArER RIVER, VA, May 6, 1863.
After an absence of little more than three
weeks, we are once more in our Camps near
Blackwater Bridge, which guards the prnc-
pal approach to our line of defence on this
side the river. Our army, commanded by
Gen. Longstreet, left our entertainments in
front of Suffolk at ii o'clock Sunday night,
Gen Jenkins Brigade of South Carolinians
and our Battery bringing up the rear. What
the object of threatening Suffolk was, is pure
ly conjectural, but that it was part Of a deep
laid scheme admits ,of no doubt Certain it
is that very heavy reinforcements were sent
to the enemy and from captures made, twas
found that very considerable number was
sent from Washington City and their army on
the Potomac. Probably this was what our
Generals desired, for so soon as this was as
certaned our army was withdrawn and Gen.
Hoods division was Immediately ordered to
Fredericksburg, before leaving, however, an
address was read to them from Gen. Lee in
which splendid victory was announced
Rumor is rife in our camps regarding the Sc
rious woundng of several of our Generals,
which we earnestly hope is without founda-
ton. 1t is rumored that Cen Jackson is bad
ly wounded Gen. A. P. Hill slightly, Cen
Heath killed All of this, however, will be
fully known before this reaches you.
wish to speak more particularly of our
late movements around Suffolk, as in doing
80 speak not from rumor for "know where
of affirm" The direct fruits of this move
ment consist in part Of this, that an immense
supply Of commissaries was secured, amount
ing to about 1000, 900 lbs. of bacon to say
nothing of the vast quantity Of forage for
horses. | cannot pass unnoticed the capture
of Capt. Striblng's battery of light Artillery
for it was the result of the most reckless
miSmanagement that has occurred during the
war. They were placed in battery on the
Nansemond river, more than two miles from
any infantry supports and their horses at
least a mile and half from the battery. -
The enemy sent over three regiments of in
fantry and captured it almost without strug-
gle. The honor of this free gift to the enc
my of one of the finest batteries in the Con-
federate service is due to the foresight and
wisdom of Gen French. section of our
battery could have been captured just as cas-
lily and for the same reasons.
A very spirited affair happened on Friday
the lst, inst, which resulted very advantage
ously to our arms The 55th North Carolina
regiment of Gen. Davis Brigade were doing
picket duty in front Of the lines when a brig
ade of infantry was sent out BY the enemy to
attack them in their rife pits. They came
up in splendid order, firing by yoleys and
then falling to reload. They poured three
vollies into the North Carolinians who held
their fire until the enemy had come within
good musket range, when they opened upon
the Yankees with such deadly effect that the
entire brigade was instantly thrown into con-
fusion. Then came the prettiest sight Of all
to see the discounted enemy attempting to
rally his disorganized columns while muir.
derouS fire was kept upon his ranks. De.
feated and disorganized they turned tbeil
b1osc and fed each one perhaps thisking