May 12, 1863, The New York Herald
THE SIEGE OF SUFFOLK.
Our West Point Correspondence.
WEST POINT, Va., May 9, 1863.
A portion of the Fourth army corps, Major General Erasmus A. Keyes commanding, reached this point shortly after one o’clock on Thursday last (7th inst.) The troops were conveyed thither in a large fleet of transports, convoyed by a fleet of gunboats. The landing of our troops was undisputed by the enemy. Immediately on landing General Keyes ordered a reconnoissance up the York river road towards White House, the old base of operations of our army last summer. For this purpose Company F, Captain Edwards, and Company D, Captain Paul, Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry, were selected. The two companies were divided into small parties, moving on different, and, where the nature of the country permitted, on parallel roads. After the commands had proceeded a few miles from town the detachment of Company F, Sixth New York cavalry, Lieutenant Crozier, was fired upon by a party of ambushed rebels, killing two of our horses, among which was the lieutenant. The horse, therefore, reared on his hind legs in a death throe, falling heavily on his rider, crushing the latter in such a manner that he died shortly afterwards. Lieut. Crozier was from Hoboken, New Jersey, and as a gentleman and soldier was unsurpassed. His loss is deeply regretted by his command. The ambushed rebels were caught. They belonged to the Tenth and Fifteenth regiments Virginia cavalry. The reconnoissance was continued to White House, where all the troops met. All the track on the York River Railroad from West Point to White House was recently removed by the rebels. The railroad depot and bridge across the Pamunky was destroyed by order of Captain Paul. On the trip our cavalry rescued a Lieutenant Estes, aid to General Kilpatrick and fifteen men, who were made prisoners near Fredericksburg, and were than in charge of a rebel guard and being conveyed to Richmond. One lieutenant and four privates of the rebel guard were captured by our men. Our cavalry returned to camp the next morning with no other mishap than those already mentioned.
Major General Dix accompanied the expedition to this point.
Admiral Lee, with a portion of his fleet, is cooperating with Major General Keyes.
WEST POINT, Va., May 8, 1863.
While public attention has been so thoroughly engrossed recently by movements on a large scale on the Rappahannock, and while all the eyes of the North have been upon Major Generals Hooker and Stoneman, a small but well considered enterprise has succeeded, under Major General E. D. Keyes, in taking a considerable force from the latter’s command at Yorktown and landing them at West Point, whence Major Hall, of the Sixth New York cavalry, night before last penetrated to the White House and destroyed the bridge there, in spite of the opposition of the enemy, and brought in some thirty prisoners, driving the rebels into the Mattapony river.
General Keyes, who has been in the saddle ever since his arrival on Thursday morning, is indefatigable in his exertions, is in capital spirits, as he always is, is in the field, and is entirely ready for any emergency.
Acting Major General Gordon is also here, a serviceable officer, and we have no fear for the future.
The pickets of Major General Keyes are now within twenty-five miles of Richmond, and you may be assured that if this officer finds a chance he will get into the city and find in strife and struggle some recompense for his long inactivity at Yorktown.
Major General Dix was here day before yesterday on his special despatch boat for a short visit, and returned to Fortress Monroe after a short interview with Major General Keyes, leaving, as I have no doubt he thought, the command at West Point in excellent hands.
You may look for stirring news from here suddenly.
Real Admiral Lee and Captain Crosby, of the Minnesota, came up York river this morning.