SUFFOLK, VA., April 20, 1863.

Major-General Dix:

Major Stratton reports his visit to Elizabeth City. It had been abandoned on 18th, and the gunboats were shelling the banks as they moved down the river. Country full of guerrillas.

Longstreet's pickets at Sandy Cross. We stormed the West Branch <ar26_640> Battery just at dusk, and hold it now. One major, 1 captain, and? officers were taken, with 6 guns, and between 100 and 200 soldiers Eighty-ninth New York and Eighth Connecticut were the stormers.

JOHN J. PECK,

Major-General.