New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-04
The sOuth Carolina Union Troops in Ac-
tion-EIow Negro Soldiers Fight.

The Rev. Mansfield French, now in this city, re-
ceiyed the following letter from Gen. Saxton by the
last steamer from Port Royal:
BHAuFoRr, s. c.. Nov: IS. 1882
Since you et for NewYoIk hsve sent another erpedi
three doS@ 70 DO S hye of
Volunteers under Col Beard on the Darlington and Ben
ons brsyey and csptar.d nesry 800 900 fee. Of excellent
timber. and various other articles Both vessels returned
loaded down.
inclose copy OF Col Bearers report Hopng soon 70
see you. Yours &c. n SAAIoN.
BEAUFORT S. c., Nov. %, 1862
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, as
directed by you, proceeded, on the 18th inst, on
the United States steamer Darlington, with loo OF
the Let South Carolina Volunteers icolored regl-
mentl in quest Of lumber and other articles needed
for the Department. The steamer Ben Dsford, or
dered by you TO report TO LIE at Doboy Sound, did
not owing to heavy fogs and adverse winds, reach
that point until the 18th inst. On the 18th, accom-
panied bv the United States gunboat Madgie, pro-
ceeded to the mills located on Doboy River, Georgia.
On reaching the mill found it necessary to recon-
hotter the land al acent thereto. To do this 1t was
neeiful to cross narrow causeway leading from
the mill through a swamp TO the main high land, a
distance o. about $50 yards. This high land YVES
heavily wooded, except on the summit which was
cleared and occupied with houses.
My men--4 In nuniber-had no sooner parsed
across the csuseway and through the woods TO the
clearing beyond, than they were fired on by the
both sides. On the first fire one man was danger
ously wounded, and a monetary panic seized the
men, but 1t WAS only momentary. They speedily
rallied and opened brisk lire the places occupied
by the concealed enemy This fire they kept up
with great regularity and coolness until ordered by
Inc to retire to he end OF tie causewsv. They re-
tired firing az they went, with d sowness and de-
liberateness that could not have been surpassed by
veteran troops Three others were severely wounded
while they were retiring. When my men reached
the end Of the causeway, bad the bow gun OF the
Darlington directed on the woods after which the
fire oil the enemy ceased, though numbers OF them
were seen during the days and nights we remained.
succeeded in loading the steamers Ben Deiord and
Darlington with from 200 coo 100000 feet Of
perior board and planks, beside securing a number
of circular and other SAWS, betting, corn mills and
other property, which was directed by you 10 OBJ
tain for the of your department.
When il IL remembered that hose men never had
arms IN their bauds until four days before they
started for the expedition. think you cannot fail ~
give them great praise for standing CALLING fire
from concealed enemy 70 brayely for holding the
causeways referred TO during tie two days aud
nights required for loading two large steamers with
valuable property in the face Of euemy. To do
this my men worked day and night without Interrupt
tom and, though short Of provisions, heard not
murmur. GA the last expedition the TACT was de-
yelOped that oolored men would light behind barra-
cades this time they have proved by their heroism
that they will fight IN the open helf Capt Trow-
bridge aided me greatly. Capt. g.. mdel, Of the
Darlington, found triliug cha pest. Capt.
Merriam, of the gnnboat Madsie, renoered me valua
BILE assistance. | cannot forbear TO make honorable
mention of Capt. Haet, Of the steamer Ben Deford;
With "a man Of lees nerve and lees capacity would
not have dared " take 50 large q steamer to such
place. Hence, could not have obtained 80 yalua-
Die cargo. | have the honor to be, General, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
OLIVER I. BEARD,
LieutCOl 18th y. Y. y. V.
Brs Gen. RUsus sAxros. u 5. Nol. missry Governor
Department II the South"