A gentleman who came from the line of the
Blackwater River on Friday evening, says that the entire Yankee army is supposed to have marched out from
Suffolk Thursday afternoon, but the column observed by our scouts numbered only 1,500, consisting of about 1,000 infantry and 500 cavalry.
This column moved off in the direction of Isle of Wight Court-House, but at dusk suddenly diverged and bore towards
Zuni and Joyner's Ford, bivouacking for the night at the farm of
Robert D. Marshall.
Zuni and Joyner's Ford, are near the sources of the
Blackwater River, and but four miles distant from each other.
At day dawn Friday morning the enemy made a simultaneous attack upon our troops at
Zuni and Joyner's Ford, there being one company of
Col. Claiborne's Rangers at each place.
The rangers were dismounted, and fought gallantly, repulsing the enemy at each place, and driving him from the opposite bank of the narrow stream.
About 8 o'clock, the enemy's cavalry having succeeded in fording or swimming the river, between
Zuni and Joyner's Ford, suddenly made their appearance in the rear of
Capt. Sykes's company at Joyner's Ford, charging upon them with a yell, which was distinctly heard at
Ivor, three miles distant.
Capt. Sykes and, his 35 men were taken prisoners.
Capt. S. had dispatched three of his men to
Gen. Pryor's headquarters for reinforcements, who were also instructed to remove all the horses and other valuables from the camp.
This was accomplished, and the enemy got nothing but the men and their arms who were defending the ford.
About 9 o'clock reinforcements came up to Joyner's Ford, and the enemy's cavalry recrossed, but took their prisoners along with them.
When the cars left
Ivor Friday afternoon, a fight was progressing at
Zuni, but up to a late hour last night we were unable to obtain any of the particu-
lars. And here we would mention a fact which shows that there are black hearted traitors in our midst.
During Thursday night, the telegraph wires on the
Norfolk line were out at some point between
Ivor and
Petersburg, and no communication could be had yesterday with headquarters in this place.
The Abolition army at
Suffolk was supposed to number about 30,000 on Tuesday last.
