Affairs at Suffolk.
consternation among the Yankees in Norfolk — the city to be Shelled upon the approach of the Confederates--Northern account of the state of things at Suffolk officer killed by Gen Corcoran — the bridges Resting on Torpedoes, &c., &c.,Up to last night the War Department had received no information about any movement contemplated or in progress at Suffolk. What we give below is the latest intelligence received from there. The Northern account shows that the Yankees are very apprehensive of the safety of the town containing their precious bodies: It is stated on intelligence purporting to come from Ivor Station, on the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, brought there by a courier, that our troops, on Friday, captured two Yankee transports and 600 prisoners below Suffolk. A gentleman who left Norfolk on Tuesday last has arrived in Petersburg and communicates some interesting in formation about affairs there. He says that great consternation prevailed among the Yankees and such traitors as had taken the oath of allegiance to the Lincoln Government. The rumored approach of Gen. Longstreet, at the head of 75,000 rebels, had caused them to pack up in many instances and hold themselves in readiness to leave at any moment. The heavy firing heard in the direction of Suffolk on Tuesday had added greatly to the general alarm. He states that there is no doubt about the occupation of portions of the Mannd river by hostile forces, as six Yankee steamers which entered that stream during Sunday returned a few hours thereafter, having failed to reach Suffolk. A large quantity of bay, which had been sent up to Suffolk for the purpose of protecting Yankee troops against the rebel fire, was burned to keep it from falling into our hands. All the houses on the suburbs of Suffolk have been burned to give unobstructed passage to the balls of the Yankee cannon. Gen. Keyes had caused the following order to be printed and freely circulated in Norfolk and Portsmouth:
Headqr's Department of Virginia,
Norfolk, Va., April 12, 1863.
The proximity of the Confederate forces renders.
It proper, by virtue of military and naval authority of the United States, to give the following notice: All foreign Consuls and their families; all women and children, and all other persons not in the service of the United States, who prefer safety to the conflict of war, are notified that on the approach of the enemy to any town or village within this department, and the range of the Union guns, such town or village will be fired on without further consideration.
The following resolutions have been adopted by the Union Association of Norfolk: Resolved, That this Association heartily sympathize with the Administration and the Government of the United States in its effort to crush the present unholy and diabolical rebellion — a rebellion which originated in the distempered and insane ambition of military and political chieftains in the South, who were resolved to rule or ruin — and who, finding the sptre about to depart from their hands, determined to have it restored to their grasp, or to overwhelm themselves and their country in one common wreck. Resolved, That whilst we deem it wholly unnecessary and impolitic for true Union men to be scanning critically every act that may be adopted by our trusty and faithful. Chief Magistrate in the Barcelona efforts which he is compelled to employ in order to suppress the gigantic rebellion, which spreads sorrow and desolation over the borders of our once happy State, yet we all agree in the fixed and unyielding resolve to stand by, and support with might and main, our patriotic. President, Lincoln, in every policy, and in all the measures which he has hitherto adopted for the restoration of the Government, and the salvation of our glorious Union, and that we regard all other questions but as dust in the balance, when compared to the integrity and perpetuity of those Republican institutions which were gained by the toll, and cemented by the blood of our ancestors — and which were handed down by Washington and his compatriots as the dearest legacy which could be bequeathed to their posterity. Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted to the President of the United States. President — Lewis W. Webb. Vice Presidents--P. Dliworth, William H. Brooks, P. H. Whitehurst, Wm. Pettit Secretary — W. W. Wing.--Treasurer — Wm R. Jones. Standing Committee — P. H. Whitehurst, Wm. H. Brooks, Peter Dliworth, Wm. Pettit, Wm. R. Jones, S. D. Campbell, Geo. P. er, Horatic Creekman, George Cunningham, Joseph H. Hall, Wm. T. , Reuben Watson, Enoch Capps, A. S. McLean, Samuel Patterson, J. H. Borum, R. P. Levels, Thomas Creamer, James Wallen, W. W. Wing. Thomas P. Crowell, Augustus Brownley, John T. Daniels. Wentz, Owen Molholland, Samuel Frost, Wm. G. Webber, V Chase, Henry M Bowden, George A. Barrom. The traitors of Norfolk have declared that, if compelled to leave the city, they will take fifty of the most prominent secessionists with them, to be held as hostages for the good treatment of the families and friends of traitors.
Headquarters military Governor,
Norfolk, Va., March 30 1863.
Order — All firearms in the possession of citizens will be delivered at once to the Provost Marshal, who will receipt for the same to the owner.
The latest Northern news from Suffolk is taken from the New York Herald, of the 15th. It is dated April 13th, and says: ‘ At daylight this morning we abandoned the South Quay Road, tore up what is termed the Nansemond bridge, (a small one at a mill in front of our fortifications, directly facing the Blackwater,) and prepared more effectually to meet an attack. At this time we could hear the enemy's reveille and bugle calls quite plain. At three o'clock this morning Gen. Corcoran was proceeding to the front of his division, by order of Gen. Peck, when he was halted at a short distance from town by some one then to him unknown.--the person who halted him said he could not pass, and demanded to know who he was. The General replied by saying that he was "Gen. Corcoran, proceeding to the front by order of Gen. Peck."--The officer said he could not pass without the countersign. Gen. Corcoran said he should, when the other said he should not; at the same time making a movement to draw his sword. Gen. C. quickly demanded to know who he was, his regiment, rank, &c., when the latter replied. Gen. C., under the impression that Col. Kimball was drawing a pistol instantly drew his own and shot him in the neck, and he died in a few minutes afterwards. Just then Quartermaster Cook rushes out and cried: "Who fired that piece? " "Is that you?"said the General. On receiving an affirmative answer, the General told the Quartermaster to look after the injured party, that he was responsible for the occurrence, and passed on. The mortal wound was then found to have been given to Lieut. Col Kimball, of the New York, who was in command of the Hawkins Zouaves. The Zouaves had but just arrived as reinforcements. Everything is now in full readiness for an attack. Torpedoes are under all the bridges not destroyed leading to town. A few houses are being pulled down, as they interfere with the range of our guns. The day is fine and really warm. This morning the townspeople are less excited and have become somewhat resigned to their fate. A courier arrived here at about seven A. M. bringing information that the enemy is advancing on the Summerton road. With the arrival of this intelligence came information from the Providence Church road (the one that leads to ) that a corporal and four of our men have been captured five miles from here. The enemy is now occupying our picket station in the latter direction. A few pickets that we had at Hog Island were surrounded during the night and captured. The party stationed there was quite small. We now have the pleasure of seeing the enemy on the railroad in front of our western entrenchments. He appears to be moving his infantry to the right, amid clouds of ascending dust, from the South Quay road to the Blackwater. Two or three of the enemy have visited our abandoned signal station, more are deployed in the fields as skirmishers, and cavalry can be seen on the railroad track. ’ The following was received at about half-past 9 o'clock this morning, from Lieut. Murray, signal officer on the Edenton road: ‘ "Our cavalry on the Summerton road have been captured. We have two rebels, who say a large force will attack on the Edenton and Summerton road to-day." ’ This was reported to me by a reliable officer, The field officer of the day is Col. Melver. At this time we can see that the enemy has some field places in position on the Petersburg railroad line, with large bodies of infantry in reserve. Intense excitement was very prevalent. At about 11 o'clock A. M. the enemy had appeared in force on the Summerton road. A portion of our cavalry was sent out to meet him, and did so. Gen. Corcoran is on the field, and as active as the occasion demands. It now seems evident that the enemy's force on the Summerton road is waiting for other divisions to come up, and while making a diversion will attack and break our centre by more weight. April 12, M.--The enemy is still advancing, at noon, but no attack has been made up to this
