Thus, at the close of the year 1863, the entire State of Arkansas, excepting a small part in the Southwest, and another small part in the Northwest, infested by guerrillas, was restored to the authority of the United States Government. OPERATIONS IN SOUTHERN VIRGINIA, DURING 1863. In the early part of 1863, there were no important military events transpiring in Southern Virginia. There were three important positions which the rebels were desirous of obtaining, and these were Suffolk, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. The Union troops in that Department were, at the time, under the immediate command of General Dix. The garrison occupying Suffolk numbered thirteen thousand men, and was commanded by General Peck, who, as events proved, was eminently capable of maintaining the position he held. The intention of the enemy appeared to be to reduce Suffolk, and then to march directly into Norfolk and Portsmouth, which places were both weakly garrisoned by small and raw regiments. General Longstreet was in command of the rebel force which had for its object the capture of Suffolk; and the intention of that able commander was either to descend suddenly upon the city and overpower its garrison by superior numbers; or to cut off all the roads by which it received supplies, and thus be enabled to carry it after a short fight. The town of Suffolk is situated at the head of Nansemond Creek, about twelve miles from its confluence with the James river. In the town, two railroads unite, by which General Peck received all his supplies. These roads, passing through Suffolk, proceeded the one from Norfolk to Petersburgh, and the other from Portsmouth to Weldon. THE SIEGE OF SUFFOLK. APRIL 11-MAY 3, 1863. General Longstreet was well aware that Suffolk was strongly garrisoned, and he did not open the attack upon it rashly. In order to make his undertaking thoroughly successful, he perceived that several preliminary movements were necessary, and he set about carefully executing them. The first of these was a manœuvre by which the Suffolk garrison might be materially weakened. Accordingly, General Hill was sent to attack Little Washington, North Carolina; a subject which has been elsewhere treated; and, as anticipated by the skillful rebel General, this movement against Little Washington made it necessary for General Peck to send a reinforcement to the assistance of the imperilled Union position. Three thousand men were ordered forward to aid General Foster in his defence of Little Washington.