Greensborough Patriot
February 12, 1863
Page 3
The Battle Near Suffolk
Our forces, under Gen. Pryor, had been over the
Blackwater river since Sunday last, gathering up forage, commissary stores,
etc., without meeting any opposition until Friday, the 30th January. On that morning, before daylight, our Cavalry
picquets, part of Col. Claiborne’s Regiment, were driven in, and almost
simultaneously was opened a brisk cannonade on our camp. This was about 3 o’clock, and our batteries
were soon in play upon the enemy, both sides keeping up a spirited artillery
fight until after daylight. There was
but little Infantry engaged up to this time; but skirmishing was continued with
more or less activity until 3 o’clock in the evening, when the enemy attempted
to out flank us, which brought the artillery again to play upon them. The first engagement took place within 6
miles of Suffolk,
and the Yankee force were said to number about 12,000 under General Peck. The enemy made one attempt at a charge, but
were gallantly repulsed by the 27th Va. Battalion, under Col.
Edmonson. Our loss was 50 killed,
wounded and missing, that of the enemy taken as very heavy, and it must have
been, as at several times we were near enough to give them canister, from well-served
howitzers. A citizen says the Yankee
loss was 300 killed, wounded and missing—that one battery was silenced and over
thirty horses killed.
Among our killed, was Col. Pogue, and Capt. Dobbins, of
the 50th Va. Regiment; among the wounded was Capt. Wright and Lieut.
Watkins of Wright’s Battery; and Lieut. Evans, of Colt’s Battery—all
very slight flesh wounds. Our forces
remained near Carrysville until Saturday evening, but as the enemy were
“sufficiently amused” not to give us a call, the forces came back on our side of
the river.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
