The National tribune., 1885-01-08


Foster came with two brigades on transports,
but could not land Gen. Spinola started from
New Berne, bnt was confronted by the Con-
sederate cavalry at Blount's Mills and turned
back Gen Foster was making arrangements
fer combined attsck upon Hin, when sud
denly not a Confederate soldier was 10 be seen.
for Hill was on his way northwaTd to JOIN
Ionrsfreet in his attack upon Suffolk. He had
made Gen. Foster believe that he had large
force-that Longstreet was on his way to JOIN
him. Gen Foster had sent for re-enfercementS.
He was promised 10000 men; 5000 were 10 be
sent 10 him from Suffolk
We come 10 ApriI 10. The troops from Gen.
Peck's command are on the cars In a few
minutes they VIII be on their way TO Norfolk,
where transports are waiting TO take them 70
North Carolina.
Very singular arc some of the events of the
war Just before the train starts Gen. fec&
receives a dispatch from Gen. Nlele at Norfolk,
whose scouts have captured man with large
number OF letters One of the letters stated
that Gen. Iongstreet had from 10000 to 60,o00
men, and that Gen. Hill from North Carolina
is on his way TO joia him It was half-past
in the afternoon Of April 10. Gen Peek: m
stead of sending the 5000 troops 10 Norfolk,
ordered them 10 remain.
THE SITUATION.
Gen. Longstreet was 20 miles away, west of
Blackwater River, which rms south to Abe
marie Sound. Opening yonr maps you Will see
the broad estuary of James River at the entrance
of Chesapeake Bay is called Hampton Roads,
where the great fight took place between the
Merrimac aud Monitor. Norfolk is on Eliza
beth River: Suffolk on N8nsemopd River.
which rises in the dark and gloomy forests of
Dismal Swamp, the haunt of runaway slaves
before the war
Away to the Dismal Swamp he speeds
His path is rugged ana sore,
Through tangled juniper beds OF reeds,
Thrcugh many Zen where the serpent feeds,
And man never stood before.
The country is low between the James aid
the Dismal Swamp. There are sand knobs,
swamps thiclets, groves OF cedar, pine, and
oak. We may start from James River and sail
up a wide estuary four miles. This is called
the Lower NaasemOnd A stream-the West
ern Branch-comes in here, ana the land at the
junction is called Hills Point. Large vessels
can reach this point, but here the shadows be-
GIN and only light-draft vessels 90 up to
Suffolk. From Hills Point the stream is mar
row and winding. From Suffolk the Jericho
Canal leads south to tbs Dismal Swamp.
The Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad crosses
the Nansemond at Suffolk, turns northeast,
skirts the northern edge OF the Dismal Swamp,
and runs TO Norfolk.
The line which Gen. Peek must defend ex-
tends from Hills Point south and east along
the river, and to the swamp distance of ID
miles. A road comes from North Carolina, east
of the swamp, TO Norfolk and be sends his cav
airy 80 miles away, to South BILLS, to hold this
back door; for If he did not guard it Confed-
crate force might gain his rear, turn his posi-
ton, and seize Norfolk.
THE PRIZE.
It is 8 great prize which Longstreet hopes to
gain. If he can win victory he viii capture a
great pile of railroad iron stored at Norfolk
enough to lay 60 miles of track. The COnfed-
crates are sadly in need of ii, for the rails of
the roads are fast wearing out. and the South
hac mill nd knr IN In
will capture large number of heavy guns and
vast amount of naval supplies If he can re-
capture Norfolk he will greatly embarrass the
feet blockading the Chesapeake. Then he will
turn south and make quick work in clear
ing North Carolina = If he can accomplish this,
England and France and all the nations of
Europe will see that the time is near at hand for
recognizing the Confederacy as nation.
BUILDING FORTS.
When the Government detailed Mai Gen.
Peck to command at Suffolk, they chose an
officer who was far-sighted enough to see what
might happen and what ought to be done; that
unless Notifications were built between the
Lower Nansemond and Dismal Swamp, he
might be driven from his position He had
1900 men, and he set them to work with
shovels and axes. The soldiers did not like it.
"We did not enlist to shovel dirt, but TO fight, y
said the soldiers of q New York regiment.
They called Gen. Peck hard names They
they saw that he was far-sighted, wise and pru-
dent. His troops constructed 10 miles of breast
works.
v0SGsTRMT's ADVANCE
"Three thousand troops are to leave for
North Carolina" was the word which Long
street received from his spies He knew all
that was going On in the Union lines. Gen.
Hill had made such demonstration at New
Berne and Washington that the Union officers
thought North Carolina was the point of attack.
The time had come for him to strike the blow.
He crossed the Blackwater April IL. Gen.
Hood, marching on the South Quay road, cap
tured some of tie Union cavalry pickets but
others escaped to give the alarm. The other
divisions marched on other roads 80 600
strong-converging towards Suffolk, with boats
and material for laying bridges across the
Upper Nansemond. Anderson's and Picketts
Divisions came from the south. Frencb's Di-
vision advanced on the S0meIton road Hoods
along the railroad, reaching Suffolk at noon
April IL.
THE UNION TROOPS.
Gen. Peek's headquarters were on the bank
of the Jericho Canal. He appointed Gen. Getty
commander between Suffolk and Hill's Point
In the river were several small gunboats; =
Lieut.. Lanison commanded those on the Upper,
Lieut. Gushing those on the Lower Nansamond.
Gen. Peek had n large number of heavy can
. non in position behind his - miles of breast
works-s0 many and so advantageously placed,
that IonEstreet saw that instead of surprising
Peck be had serious work before him. Less
prudent commanders would have charged the
Union fortifcations. but would have seen their
troops cut to pieces. With 10000 men he hoped
10 turn the position, but he must get rid of the
Runboats before he could lay his bridge. Then
be would cross below the Union Notifications
and turn Pecl's right flank. lie will make a
feint Of attacking with Anderson and Pickett
at Suffolk. while Hood and French force the
passage Of the river near Hills Point
Gen. Getty has only 1000 men to hold lire
eight miles in length. Sarely Longsreet, with
1900 VIII be able TO cross the narrow stream
Is soon Is the gunboats ere disposed Of
His engineers selected places for batteries at
the bends OF the river. and AL night long men
Were at work with axes and spades. Morning
dawned, and when the gunboats steamed
along the river suddenly the Confederate
cannon flashed, sending solid shot and shells
into the Mount Washington, crashing
through the engines. The vessel runs
ashore and then a storm Of solid shot is poured
upon her. Lieut.. Cushing, who is on the
Lower Eansemona, bastens with two vessels
the Commodore Barney and Stepping Stones
The Confederate skTmishors creep through
the woods and pick off the sailors; but for -four
hours the fight goes on, the gunboats replying
TO the Confederate batteries, TIL the rising tide
floats the Mount Washington, and she drifts
down stream, while Lieut.. Cushing steams