The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-11-22

ward their master who was Watching them from
his piazza, and toward our steamer, which, q
yet, had given them no assurance Of landing
The moment she headed TO the shore, their
doubts were dispersed, and they gave US such q
bowling welcome a. angels would be satisfied
with. Some Of the women were so filled with
Joy that they ran, lesped, clapped their hands
and cried, "Glory to God! Glory to Godp
The Darlington rested directly in front of the
old planters door. About eighty men were
formed in line Of battle in TIE front yard, and
some thirty we're employed as scouts. The mer
we're not all Tended before the dark subjects o.
the patriarchal institution we're rushing for the
boat. 1t only required about fifteen minutes Il
they we're coming with bundles on their heads
children in their arms and on their shoulders
loaded also with pigeons, pots, trays, chickens
ducks, and squealing little pigs, 1ventured my
unhsllowed feet upon the piazza, when me-
the planter and . widowed daughter, who wal
joint owner of the fleeing "chattles" Saluta-
tions being exchanged. remarked to the lady
This is sad morning to you"
"Yes,n said she, "this seems hard"
You may consider yourself fortunate in being
thus providentislly relieved Of the responsibility
of going to the judgment with the blood Of these
people upon you.
IF it were the wish of Providence, then lei
him take them by DEATH" replied che. But theil
life is worth more than their death. ut is q
divine institution"
Fit we're divine, We replied, it would relieve
them Of their rags and filth, renovate their dark
and loatbsome cabins, open the school house to
their children, and cease to sell husbands and
wives, parents and children. You see how ca
gerly they rush TO us, with thousand benedic-
tions, while they express no Kind regards to
you. The good lady had no reply, except tia,
the negroes were all their dependence.
After relieving the old planter and daughter
of $4,000 worth of humanity, !. e., ffty-two
slaves, and the leather of his tannery, we re-
embarked. Our boats we're sent once and again,
however, to the shore for mel, Who, having heard
the steam whistle, came in great haste from dis
tant plantations.
As the Potomsks could go no further, Capt.
Budd kindly offered to accompany % with one
guns crew. We we're glad to have bis company
and the services of the crew, % We had only one
guns crew of colored men. Above US was a
bend in the river, and q high bluff covered with
thick woods There We apprehended danger, fer
the rebels had had ample time to collect their
forces. The men were carefully posted, fully
instructed 40 to their duties and dangers by Col.
Beard. Our PARROTS were manned, and every
thing was in readiness. No sooner were We
within rife shot than the enemy opened on US a
heavy fire from behind the bank and trees, and
also from the tops of the trees Our speed being
slow and the rivers bend quite large, we we're
within range of the enemy'slguns for some time.
How well our troops bore themselves will be seen
by Capt. Budd's testimony.
| Our next landing was made at Daniel Melon
AIDS plantation. His extensive and valuable
salt works we're demolished, and he himself taken
prisoner. By documents captured, it was ascer
tanned that he was Q rebel of the tallest kind
We took only few of his slaves, as he drove
back into the woods about ninety of them just
before our arrival One fine looking man came
hobbling down on crutch. Mcdonald had shot
off one of his legs about eighteen months before.
The next plantation had some 500 slaves on it :;
several of our troops had come down from it, and
also had relatives there, but the lateness of the
hour and the dangerous points to be passed on
our return admonished US to retreat.
Our next attack was expected at the bluff
The enemy had improved the time since we
parted them in gathering reinforcements. Col.
Beard prepared the men for warm FIRE. While
everything was in resdinss, and the steamer
dropping down hard upon the enemy, the writer
passed around among the men, who were wait
ing 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 80 to 100 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 COM
pletey covered the face of one who had been
struck by ball in the forehead.
Most people have doubted the courage of ne
groes 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 cir
cumstances we're peculiar. They were taken by
surprise, the enemy concealed, bis force not
known, and some of the troops had been enlisted
only two days. Capt. Budd, q brave and expe-
rienced officer, and eye witness of both engage
ments, has kindly given his opinion, which we
are sure will vndicate the policy, as well as just
ness, of arming the colored man for his own
freedom at least. Igf
~. o. s. STEAMER PoToMsKA,l
Sapelo River, Ga, Nov. 2.
SIR,-It gives me pleasure to testify to the
admirable conduct of the negro troops (lst 8. G.
Volunteers under the command Of Lieut. Col.
Beard, 4sth N. Y. Volunteers, during this days
operation. They behaved epsndidly under the
warm and CALLING fire we we're exposed to, in
the two skirmishes with the enemy. l did not
see man finch, contrary to my expectations.
One of them particularly came under my no.
tice, who, although badly wounded in the face,
continued to load and FIRE, in the coolest man
ner imaginable.
Every one Of them acted like veterans.
Very respectfully, WV BUDD,
Acting Lieut.. Cong Potomska.
To the Rev: N. French, Chaplain q. s. A.
On reaching his ship, Capt. Budd led our re-
treat. It had been agreed. after full consulta-
ton on the subject, that, in our descent down
the river it wac best to burn the buildings OF
Capt. Hopkins and Col. Bailsford. Both of these
places we're strong picket stations, particularly
the latter. Bailsford had been down with a
email force few days before our arrival at ST.
Catharine's ard shot one of our contrabands,
wounded MORALLY, as was supposed, another,
and carried off four women and three men. He
bad whipped to death three weeks before, slave
for attempting TO make hisiescape. We had on