The National tribune., 1886-07-08
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
SIEGE OF SUFFOLK,

I was at that time attached 10 the provost
mounted guard, under Mai Smith, OF the 18th
N. V, afterward Colonel, and killed at Fort
Fisher he being at this time Provost Marshal
of Suffolk Gen Peck was then in command
An that vicinity. Our force before the siege
consisted OF about 1000 troops, three batteries
Of artillery and two regiments OF cavalry-the
1Ith Pa and the LIST n. Y. MID Rifles. Our
army, however, was largely reinforced after the
siege commenced.
We had heard from deserters that we might
expect an attack any time, but no attention
was paid TO such warnings and no efforts made
to strengthen our position until the rcbel forces
made their appearance and drove IN our cavalry
videt pickets, April Is, 1863. But will copy
from my Journal written at the time:
SUFFOLK, April is, ls63.-Me are having
exciting times here now, and no one can tell
what the result viii be. We are almost sur
rounded by the rebel forces, which can be
plainly seen with fieldglass, and firing has
been going on since Saturday. mostly cannonad-
ing, aud our sharpshooters keep up constant
diminishing with the rebel pickets.
'All is confusion, aud we are fortifying our
selves at all points and have the railroad from
here 10 Norfolk strongly guarded, as we depend
on this railroad for our supplies. We also have
three wooden gunboats lying here In the Nanse-
mond River. which are Smelling the woods
where the rebel camp is supposed 10 be. Have
got 500 or more eontrabands, rs we call them,
working night and day on the various forts,
intrenchments, etc, and we have everything
ready 70 blow up the bridge which crosses the
Nansemond River be geen us and the rebels.
Yesterday i took v gang of 80 contrabands 90
cut down trees to construct rihe-pits, but we
were soon fired on by rebel battery. The
shells however, burst in the air over our heads,
the rebels not having the range. But the
darlties did not wait for them TO get the range,
for after several shots were fired they nearly
all dropped their axes and ran away, aud could
l.rA rfaF rfr4pF anugr I'D lupl aoaln
"We have burned nearly all the houses in
sight OF Suffolk, some Of which were beautiful
and surrounded by cedar groves; have also cut
Rll the fine shade trees which lined both sides
OF one street. 80 as 10 get good range for our
artillery. And as some Of the houses were not
safe TO approach on account Of the rebel sharp
shooters we fred them with shells.
"All this destruction has caused much suffer
ing turning women and children out Of doors
with no time or means TO save anything but
the clothes they wore. And this morning one
woman was killed by a stray shot while fleeing
from her home, and leaves two little children
90 mourn her loss.
"April 20.--No change in our situation, aud
the enemy have not yet made general assault
as we have expected, and have not yet shelled
us except on the outskirts Of the town, though
they can easily do So but suppose IL is on &C
count of the women aud children. as they have
al the ablc-boded men OF this place either IN
their ranks OF hiding from their sweeping con-
scription.
"Our provost guard has just finished TAX
ing an inventory Of provisions on hand among
the residents here. and we find on an average
only about three days provisions 10 each family,
and we are now issuing rations TO 956, includ-
ing our colored population, who are much
frightened for fear OF being captured.
April 24-No assault has yet been made,
though we are Low strongly fortified, and
have been largely reinforced, so that we feel
quite safe now. A fine block Of buildings on
Ihe bank OF the river have been torn down 10
get a range for our batteries, and the draw
bridge across the Nansemond has been blown
mp with powder; though j see no military
necessity for it, as it would take but moment
20 do il when found necessary.
I'VE also had notice 20 remove all the women
and children. as the report came that Gen.
Isongstreet would shell the town. and every
thing IA In readiness 10 send them TO Norfolk
when the shells do come.
Among the incidents OF the past week was
the shooting of the Lieutenant Colonel of Haw-
kins's IOuaves by Gen. C0rc0ran. IL II claimed
n was done Ia the discharge Of duty, MS the
Lieutenant Colonel would not allow him u
pass without The eonntersign.
April Yesterday force OF infantry, ar
tiliery and a part Of the llJh Pa Cav. as an
sdvance-guard went outside our lines 10 recon
hotter. or feel the encmy's position but they
were found 10 be strongly intrenched behind
la their pickets, they came 10. But IL not at
tackled very soon we expect 90 make a genera
advance as this long siege business is getting
monotDnOus particularly for cavalry boys
May I've arc still the defensive
though Sunday we had desperate fighting, n
several regiments Of infantry, two batteries
and FIVE companies OF the LIST N. Y. Mite
Kites crossed over the kanscnonc on a TEN
porary bridge, having destroyed the Ole
one ] accompanied our troops over at N.
own request. j had no duty 10 do in camp
and WAS assigned A. Orderly 10 one Of our officers
Once over the bridge there was no getting back
ae guard WAS stationed with orders TO ALLOW
mo one 20 repass, except with pass. This wa
necessary, ar some were suddenly taken sicl
with some imaginary complaint soon as th
firing commenced. After feeling our way care
fully for about half mile we encountered Tia
rebel pickcts. cur infantry deplOying ss Skin
mishers, everyone for himself, behind trees
senees, advancing cautiously few yards at
time, As they were now advancing on an eneml
concealed Ia the woods beyond VA not knowing
what moment they would receive q yolley.
Bu, from the start the Fchol sharpshooter
INSIDE " bot for 0nr boys, they being perched Il
the oops OF the trees. The artillery also opene
Ore both sides, though, owing TO 80 muc
timber could not do much damage, but th
Fcbeis firing high caused some pretty larg
branches 70 fall rather suddenly in our mids
Our infantry kept up the fight until 3 D. m
cavalry being bald as reserve, though hOldin
themselves ready 70 cismOunt and fight on foe
81 necessary.
About this time the 18th n. H. made
charge across M open eornleld which separate
them from q piece OF woods where the Tebe
were conoesled aud drove them back about
quarter VI d mile 10 their breastworks but wei
then obliged W fall back, not being suppOrte.
and know they lost heavily though ] cannt
now ascertain our loss; but j saw son
poor follow brought 10 the ravine In our res
(which WA filed with wounded every fc
moments. One Of tile irEt Nas Lieutenant
the 1880 n. Y, who had one side Of his hea
ahOt of and the Colonel Of the same regimen
] hear, IL fatally wounded but the wound
were mostly in the arms and legs IA
Febe Toss must lie considerable ~ we shslle
them every moment Night coming on a
general bring ceased, eno we encamped on II
ground we had gained, expecting 10 renew II
battle nj day ght the next morning
But morning found q desortod camp In on
fr0nt, for the enemy bad taken advantage
thc darkness aud returned across the Blacl
water River; aud although pursuit was nc on,
commenced II wsE too late though we overtoc
and captured 1875 stragRlcrs and formed one
the guard that marched them 10 our camp
Suffolk, where they were examined by Ii
Provost Marshal, and out OF the 1876 II5 Doc
the oath Of allegiance and were sent 10 For
ncss Monroe. And thus ended the siege Of 81
folk, after three weeks o. almost constant a. 4
Ing We still hold our DOsiliou aud IL will