The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-11-28
The Negro Troops Of South Carolina
under Firc-..How they Behaved.


under Firc---Hoyv they Behaved.
The New York Tribune of last Monday
contains long letter from its correspond
ent in South Carolina, in which is detailed
the incidents attending a small expedition
on the captured steamer Darlington, down
the coast of Georgia, and to Fernandina,
Florida, to obtain recruits for the 1st Regi-
ment South Carolina (negro) Volunteers.
Lieut. Col. O. T. BEARD, of the 48th New
York Volunteers, was given the command
of the expedition. In addition to obtain
ing recruits, the condition and wants of the
recent refugees from slavery along the
coast were to be looked into, and, if Occa-
sion should offer, it was permitted to feel
the enemy" At st. Simonds, Ga, Capt
TRowBRIDGE, with thirty-fve men OF the
HUNTER Regiment of 1st South Carolina
Volunteers" who had been stationed there
for three months, together with twenty
seven more men, were received Oh board.
With this company Of siXty-two men, the
Darlington proceededto Fernandina, where
one hundred and twenty-five negroes vol
unteered, Of whom twenty-five were ac-
cepted. The correspondent says:
What was accomplished on the day of
sailing, is described as follows by Lieuten-
ant Col. Beard in his report to General
SaXtOn:
On Monday. Nov. g. with the Steamer Dar-
lington, having on board Captain Trowbridge's
company, colored troops. (62,) Iprocceded up
Bell River Florida, drove in the rebel pickets
below COoper's, destroyed their places of rem
devious, thence proceeded and destroyed the
saltworks, and all the salt, corn, and wagons,
which we could not carry away, besides killing
the horses. Thence we proceeded to Jolly Riy-
er and destroyed two saltwOrks, with a large
amount of salt and corn. Thence proceeded to
st. Mary's and brought off two families of con-
trabands, aft er driving in the enemy'S pickets.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, proceeded to King Bay,
about a mile from the landing, together with
all the property on the place Here we were
attacked by 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 thick woods and fired
upon them. Their condition was a peri
lous one, the enemy being not over ten
rods distant, and the steamer still further
off. Nothing daunted, the men loaded and
fired coolly and necessarily, till safe on
board. A warm fire was opened at once
by the men from the steamer, and one of
our Parrots played we'll it's part. 1t was
marvellous that under SO heavy shower
of bullets, not man was wounded, though
many balls were lodged in the steamer and
barricades.
Our next attack was expected at the
bluff. The enemy had improved the time
since we parted them in gathering rein
forcements. Col. Beard prepared the men
for warm fire. While everything was in
readiness, 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, asked
them if they found their courage failing,
''Oh no, mas'r, our trust be in the Lord
We only want fair chance at em,'' was
the unanimous cry
The fire was Immediately opened upon
us by the enemy, numbering from eighty
to 100 men. Our troops returned the fire
with effect. Two of the enemy fell head
long 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 COM
pletely covered 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 an open field fight to
be sure, but the circumstances were pecu-
liar. They were taken by surprise, the
enemy concealed, the force unknown, and
some of the troops had been enlisted only
two days. Capt. Budd, brave and expe-
rienced officer, an eye witness of both en-
gagements, has kindly given his opinion,
which we are sure will vindicate the poll
cy, as well as business, of arming the col
ored man for his own freedom at least
UNITED STATES STEAMER PoToMsKA,l
Sapelo River, Ga, Nov. Z. !
SIR: 1t gives me pleasure to testify to the
admirable conduct of the negro troops 0st S. c.
Volunteers under the command of Lieut.. Col.
Beard 48th New York Volunteers, during this
days operation. They behaved splendidly ull-
der the warm and CALLING fire we were exposed
to, in the two skirmishes with the enemy. l
did not see man finch contrary to my expec-
tatiOnS.
One of them particularly came under my no.
tice, who, although badly wounded in the face
continued to load and fire. in the coolest manner
imaginable.
Every one of them acted like veterans.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM BUDD
Acting Lieut.. Commanding Potomska.
To the Rev. M. French. Chaplain U. s. A.
The Right Sentiment.