Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-18

SKIRMIsHING on THE GEORGIA CoAsT.-
HERoIsM OF BLACK SoLDIERs.--Lieut. Col
o. f. Beard of the 18th New York was sent
by Gen. Saxton down the Georgia coast, and
to Fernandina, to obtain recruits for the LIST
regiment of South Carolina volunteers. He
started with the captured steamer Darlington,
taking on board at various points along the
coast large numbers of sable volunteers. Of
the first days real skirmishing the colonies
report says:
UNDER FIRE.-0n Monday, Nov. 1, having
on board Capt. Trowbridge's company-cOl-
ored troops (62)-I proceeded up Bell river,
Florida, drove in the rebel pickets below
Cooper's, destroyed their place of rendezvous.
then proceeded and destroyed the salt works,
and all the salt, corn and wagons, which we
we could not carry away, besides killing the
horses. Thence we proceeded to jolly river
and destroyed two salt works, with large
amount of salt and corn. Thence proceeded
to st. Mary's and brought off two families of
contrabands after driving in the enemys pick
cts. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, proceeded to
Kings bay, Georgia, destroyed a large salt
work in creek about a mile from the landing,
together with all the property on the place.
Here we were attacked 10y about eighty of the
enemy, of whom we killed two.
This was the first place where the troops
were brought under fire. They had all, about
thirty in number, Just got into the small boats,
when the enemy suddenly rushed out of the
woods and fired upon them. Their condition
was a perilous one, the enemy being not over
ten rods distant, and the steamer still further
off. Nothing daunted, the men loaded and
fired c0olly and necessarily, till safe on board.
warm fire was opened at once by the men
from the steamer, and one of our Parrots
played well its part. 1t was marvellous that
under SO heavy a shower of bullets, not man
was wounded, though many balls were lodged
IN the steamer and barricades.
THE SECOND ATTACK.
On Friday, our attack was expected at the
bluff. The enemy had improved the time
since we parted them in gathering reinforce
ments. Col. Beard prepared the men for a
warm fire. While everything was in readi-
ness, and the steamer dropping down hard
upon the enemy, the writer passed around
among the men, who were waiting coolly for
the moment of attack, and asked them if they
found their courage failing. "0h no, mas'r,
our trust be in de Lord. We only want fair
chance at EN-, was the unanimous cry.
The fire was Immediately opened upon us
by the enemy, numbering from eighty to one
hundred men. Our troops returned the fire
with effect. Two of the enemy soon fell
headlong from the trees, and several on the
ground soon fell. Only three of our men
were wounded, and they ceased not firing till
the enemy had, yet the blood completely COW
cred the face of one who had been struck by
ball in the forehead.
Most people have doubted the courage of
negroes, and their ability to stand warm fire
OF the enemy. The engagements of this day
were not au open field fight, to be sure, but
the circumstances were peculiar. They were
taken by surprise, the enemy concealed, his
force not known, and some Of the troops had
been enlisted only two days. Captain Budd
brave and experienced officer, and eye wit
ness Of both engagements, has kindly given
his opinion, which we are sure will vindicate
the policy, as well as business, OF arming the
colored man, for his own freedom, at least
UNITED STATES STEAMER PoToMsKA,l
Sapelo River Ca, Nov. Z, 1862.
SIR-It gives me pleasure 10 testify to the admira-
Bile conduct of the negro troops, First South Caro-
lima Yolunteersl under command of Lieut. Colonel
Beard torty-eigiIth New York volunteers during
der the warm and calling fire were exposed to,
IN the two skirmishes with the enemy / did not see
man finch contrary to my expectations
One OF them particularly came under my notice,
who, although badly wounded in the face, con-
inqed to load and fire, i'll the coolest manner imag-
Unable
Every one Ofthem acted like veterans
Very respectfully, WILLIAM BUDD,
Acting Lieut.. Commanding Potomska
TO the Rev NJ French, Chaplain U. 5. A.