April 16, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Suffolk Correspondence.
ON SIGNAL TOWER, SUFFOLK, Va.,
TUESDAY, April 14 – 9. A.M.
During the entire night we were engaged in the construction of new fortifications, by order of General Peck, under the immediate superintendence of Lieut. James, Topographical Engineers. For this work we used and are using every able bodied contraband in town. We even went through the town and have taken the men servants out of the saloons, private houses, &c. The darkeys have worked well, and can now appreciate the value of these […..] dirt heaps,”as they style them.
This morning the sun shone out in full vigor, making joyous the hearts of men and officers; for if there is anything that operates greatly to depress the spirits it is to compel men to fight in mud and rain.
The gunboats are hard at work shelling the woods on the off side of the Nansemond river, at every point where it is thought the enemy is likely to be or contemplate erecting batteries.
About ten o’clock last night a deserter came into our lines, bringing the following information: –
“The Confederates have taken 2,000 prisoners at Washington, N. C., including the federal killed and wounded. They captured the whole garrison, including guns and everything else.” Whether this news is true or not your correspondent cannot tell, other than the report of this deserter. (Our advices from General Foster are to the 12th instant, in which it will be perceived General Foster states that […..]can hold out for three weeks.” The rebel deserter, therefore has been engaged drawing the long bow pretty extensively. – ED. HERALD.)
The same authority says that the enemy now in front of us is 35,000 strong, with eight pieces of artillery. This artillery, with very few exceptions, is light. It was thought by the rebel generals that in the event of their appearing in such force before Suffolk we would evacuate the same, in order to protect Norfolk and Portsmouth. Also that they make their present movement in connection with the moving of the rebel iron-clad can destroy or drive off our fleet and prevent any communication between Old Point and Norfolk and Portsmouth, while the army is to move so as to get between us and these places, thus preventing our retreat, and looking towards a capture of our entire force.
The reader must take this news just as I have received it, and give credence to it accordingly.
We have just received information that the banks of the Nansemond river for several miles below Suffolk are lined with infantry. They are firing on the gunboats. The enemy have opened on these latter with artillery. The flagship Mount Washington has suffered severely.