New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-05
FROM SUFFOLK.

The Reconnaissance over the Nansensend-
An Ambuscadc by the KebeIs-TerribIs
Fire By our Batieries-Thc Object Of
the Expedition Accomplishing Return
Of the Forcc--InhuHan Conduct Of tho
Rebels utter the Battle.
From Our Special Correspondent
.lJ- SUFFOLK, May Q, 1862
Al 4oclock yesterday afternoon the New-YOrk
99'h, Col. Wardrop, led by Lieut.. Col. Nixon, Col
WariIop being Brigade Commander, was ordered
70 cross the South Quay bridge and ASCERTAIN the
strength of the enemy in the riepits fronting Gen.
Terry. The enemy has been permitted, for reasons
which are not apparent to me, though they may b
to others, to honeycomb the lsnd across she river
witt his rihe-ps that he not only ID abe 10 an
noy the gunneIs on the forts, but TO wound men m
the roads and even in the camps on the South Quay.
After having been very active and annoying for sew
eral days past, they became very quiet yesterday,
20 much 90 that il was thought thsy might be with
drawing and the goth was sent out 70 reconnoiss'.
Laying plank the gap In the bridge, about 10
went over.
The enemy understood the movement and sue
ceedsd in decoyng the brave fellows along by firing
ouly al occasional shot, until they were very
near the rife pits, when the hottest vslleys
were sent out from behind their breastworks, and
large re-enforcements emerged from the woods and
deployed in the rear of the pits TheD the cannon
from Fort Nausemold the South Qusy bstteries,
and from light batteries wLeb had been playing on
the rifle pits with accurate aim and thorough execu-
ton, were pointed at the advancing column VI gray.
tie whole WAS III full view of Thousands, and
our boys who were compelled 10 be inactive sEects-
tors could not repress cheers OF as they saw The
solid shot and shell plOw through the ranks VI the
enemy. We have 10 means VI knowing the loss OF
the Rebels, but it must have been very large COM
pared with our own. e. ID s..n ~ ~ss2.
MeslwhiIe the small plumber Of our infantry be.
ing entirely inadequate 10 the work Of advancing
on such iOrce fell back and reerossed the bridge,
leaving however, 20 or 80 of their NUMBER killed
and wounded on the field, within short distance VI
the enemy's sharpshooters. The engagement lasted
about TWO hours
Al about shutdown some 200 commenced the
hazardous work Of bringing off the dead and wound:
ed. A. each ole, bent on bis humane eSrand aud
without arms, erept along bebiud what shelter the
formation Of the land permitted, the Durderous
villains Ia the rifle pits would exercise their skill IN
shooting at them until it became dark that they
could not sec to draw Il bead But the brave iei.
lows persevered, not withdrawing, and brought I'll
every OF the killed and wounded.
Tne men of The 99th advanced 10 the enemy a.
coolly as though parade aud did their part DObly,
whatever msy be said OF the propriety Of seDaiIs
cut so sUau u IOEce on tuCu I'LL oTTuuu. LleulSs
Cauley and Mendenhal, and Sergeants Farrsll aud
remained the field IN spite Of the fire,
and took care Of the wounded and killed till every
man WAS brought off. The list OF killed sLd
W ounded-4l out Of 25c-tells an honorable story
OF gailantry in behalf OF the 99th.
Color.SergeaDt Dix fell nlortslly wounded, when
Color Corporal Mclaughlin seized the flag and tell
also morssily wounded, and it was picked up by
Color. Corporal Sutehife, VINO was also wounded,
wien Lieut.. +. s. Harding bore the colors TO the
front, aud on the return consigned them 70 then
wounded custodian. Our loss ID as follows:
KuIgD-John Mcdonald, Robert Long, Michael Riley,
putrck Buckley Patrick Moore. Toward Welsh.
WoUSpkD-John Collins. both hss severely ID. klaees
sa seyereyi j. haley back Of head w. Williams, iegi
J ). Patterson, mortality {. Mclaughlin. nlortAily; 4.
ohnman J. B.rduett, o. Mcpulan II. Morrison, Aishty.
10Th logs; Ho, slightly breast p Neesn, leg seversyj
Galloway head. severely T. Baker le. slightly Cory.
houd.r. severely: l.. Tonne face. sigLuy ". GrLtn,
rg, sAshy j. II. Hart, les, slightly ii. Satellite th,sh,
igkly; 4. Murray, slightly; h. w. Lloyd, head,
lightly Crowley, arm. sisEty +. Ryder neea and bach
sveiey W. liuot, both legs, seyeTrly d. Dix abdomen,
lorally 4. Welsh, dead; Il. Condor, slightly T. coonbs.
lightly; J. Gibbons. slightly; W. II. Reynolds slighty; j.
eaue severely J. g. James, eesd Dugau. mouth 70
erely g. g. steens hand. slight; j. OBrien, hes dan
erously; Patrick o. Hsusn aodosI sishtly John McunS
u; - Duaden. chest, nortAliy. SUJOUkNER