--Things about
Suffolk have been more quiet for a week or two past and many ladies, who left town, when a fight was expected, are returning to their homes.
There is no doubt but it was laid out in the programme of the
Burnside expedition to attack
Suffolk after the fall of
Roanoke Island, and by getting possession of
Suffolk and the two railroads at this place,
Norfolk might be attacked in the rear, and probably forced to surrender.
The plan was to approach
Suffolk from the direction of
Edenton,
Winton or some point on the
Chowan, by a land force, while the gunboats at
Old Point would attempt to ascend the
Nansemond river, at the same time.
But while
Burnside was maturing his grand scheme, the iron-clad
Virginia paid a visit to
Hampton Roads, and demolished everything in her way. This made the proposed attempt to ascend the
Nansemond with gunboats wholly impracticable, and changed the whole programme of
Burnside.
He immediately concentrated his fleet at
Hatteras and determined to attack
Newbern.
Thus, it will be seen, that what saved us from conflict here plunged
Newbern into ruin.
As soon as it was certain that
Burnside had gone toward
Newbern, things became more quiet here, and have thus remained.
What, however, may be the next move of
Burnside, remains to be revealed.
He may proceed up the
Neuse and attempt the capture of
Kinston and
Goldsboro'; he may attack
Wilmington, or he may suddenly return to
Albemarle Sound, and, by a land march, attempt to reach
Suffolk, where he may imagine we have become less vigilant.
We are glad to see that no less vigilance is exercised by our military authorities now than when the enemy was expected every day.
Col. Armistead, of the 57th regiment, has been promoted to
Brigadier General, and assigned to this place, and
Major-General Loring assumes command of this whole section, between
Smithfield and
Albemarle Sound.--
Suffolk Sun. 
