Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-11-23
ERoM PORT RoYAL.
Ia .Flasr OF rruee--Intsrview with
south Carolina 0meers, etc.

~
south CaroIIna Omeers, etc.
The correspondent of the New York
Ezpress writes long account of the trip
Of Lieut.. Wagner, with a flag of truce, ('.c-
companied DR.. Bacon, of the Sixth Con-
neeticht yolunteers,J to the interior, for the
purpose li of :ilistItb tbutinR General shsrmnn's
proclamation. From this letter we make
the ollowing extracts: . g q l 80
They left Hilton Head on the morning of
the l4th, on the gupboat ISenecR, Captain
Ammel, and landed at Beaufort Here
they found mules, and having previously
provided themselves with u saddle, star
ted inward across the island of Port Royal
None Of our forces had advanced beyond
Beaufort, and the mission was lIt once per-
lions and delicate. Lieut., Wager carried a
tlag Of truce, but bore no mission to the
military authorities, He had q letter Of
credence from Gen. Sherman, Indicating his
ierrand. copy Of the proclamation, and nm
open letter to the Rev. Mr. Wilson, cler-
gyman of Beaufort. a letter from this
Sentleman to Gen. Sherman WAS found on
lis t1ble ia Beaufort Il day or two preCtntlS,
asserting that he was British subject aud
ciaimtng protection. MIR. Wilson fed with
the other whites, aud Gen. Sherman's 8 COM
munication assured him that no harm
would be done either TO him or his proper
ty, OF indeed to any peaceable, iuottensiye
citizens. Mr. Wagner's Instructions were
to find if possible some means of convey
Ing this letter to Mr. Wilson, and to Inform
nIilunarmed Inhabitants that the Federal
forces designs them no injury, BE WAS also
particularly instructed 10 state that the
rnvages at Beaufort were the work of the
blacks, and quite as much regretted by the
Uni6nists as they could he by the Soqth.
Carolinians; that we had taken every
means to interrupt them in our power, hnt
as we had not occupied Beaufort, cou.d not
tHirlly5 be held responsible for their eon''n-
uanCe. ,....,.r. r. ,..,frffI ,lli 20
\ The two gentlemen rode for almost eight
miles without meeting any white persons; /;
the houses we're AL deserted, bntapparent-
ly not ipillaged, and the blacks whom they
saw were at work in the fields. Towards
noon. having arrived within about two
miles $50 the negroes assured theml of
Gnrdner's 5Qoruer,Iai place opposite Port
| ROYAL Ferry, on the Port Royal river, and
(which Is said to be occupied by rebel
TROOPS, they came up with a white man on
horseback. Hailing hiR, he Mt first aP-
pearel, unYillin tpi stop, Rnts finally lyfnl-
Flowed them to enter into 7conNeEsauon.@-
| He was the Rev. Mr. Walker, also OF Beau
| fort; he seemed unwilling to have any
lthing toldo with them; refused to take
the proclamation; misinformed them ia
regard to the road, and was altogether
1 chnrlish. in behavior. While in his COM
4 pany they saw two persons advancing on
! foot and bearing q nag of truce. These
proved to be two officers Of the rebel force
al Gardner's Corner; Capt. t. o.. Barn
| we'll, of the 18th Regiment s.. o. Militia,
l and Lieut.. ii, Mckee, of the same regi-
\ ment! They were evidently gentlemen,
and behaved with great courtesy, having
\ been sent out to asCerlain the vicinity of
the flag oftFuce. Lieut.. Wagner had no
1 absolute business with them, but an inter
view of half an hour or $50 took place, at
which the clergyman was present:
The officers admitted that the dePreda-
tions on Beaufort were, the work OF the
tblacks, and entirely eIculpated our forces
Iron any completely this was admitted
also by Mr. Walker aIt was accounted y Tor
Inv the anxiety Of thehblAeks to preserve
ithe proDerty from falling into the hands Of
the Federal troops! The blacks were very
much pitied By these officers on account
of the apprehensions the poor creatures en-
ifertain of the uortherners. The rebels
greatly regretted being obliged to leave
| them on that account. As for the capture
! Of Beaufort, those little mud forts, Of course,
could not expect To cope with our navy
| but on land they were prepared TO meet
us. There were no citizens that we should
call loyal in South Carolina. so there was
lno one to whom the. proclamation could be
addressed. They did not object to its re-
lveption By Mr.. Walker and that gentleman
finally consented TO carry the proclamation,
J uuder cover, to Mr. Wilson, he also con-