Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-24
The Negro Regiment at Port Royal.
III, N,,,- ., 70


The New York Times correspondent writes
as follows of the appearance and proficiency
of Gen. Hunters negro regiment
sin the afternoon, in company with Rev.
Mr.. Gubby, chaplain OF the Sd Rhode Island
artillery, and now detailed as chaplain to the
general hospital, | visited camp dayton, sit
uated at the generals plantation, where the
only loyal regiment furnished by the state of
South Carolina is now in quarters. On the
steps in rear of the rebel generals house,
and under the shade of the stately Hve-oaks
covering the greensward stretching from the
mansion down to the silver-beach of Port
Royal Bay, found groups of naval and mil
tary officers, attracted by the curiosity of the
spectacle about to be presented-no less than
a regiment of free, loyal blacks, with arms
in their hands, ready to defend the liberty
given them by the crime of their fugi-
tive masters, and to uphold the constitu-
ton and the laws, which, for the first time, are
converted for them into the promise Of bless
ing. Conspicuous among the naval officers
present lowered the tail form and bfistled
gray moustache of Commodore Dupont, his
crossed anchors and double stars gliStenng
in the sunlight, and his manner manitesting
the most eager interest in the scene. Around
him were grouped a brilliant staff of lieuten-
ants. masters and midshipmen, all comment
ing diversely on the experiment inaugurated
by the organization of this colored regiment
Presently from amid the white tents pitched
in streets under the liveoak trees, eight COM
panies Of rescued bOndsmen, in the uniform
of the United States, with bayonets glisten-
ing, redeemed, regenerated, disenthralled,'
marched steadily out to the battle-ground,
and formed in double line of review. Hav-
l,,o al, l,st
teen months to witness the evoutions
of regiments in every stage of drill and
discipline, from the raw three months men,
who started for Annapolis in the end of April
year ago, to the sodierly quiCkness and
precision of the cohorts organized during the
long period of inactivity on the Potomac, |
must say for myself-and in saying so | am
only echoing the opinion of every naval and
military officer without exception who was
present ut the review in question-that the
first South Carolina volunteers, contraband of
war through they be, and lately subject to the
rigors of the bred Scott decision, presented
an efficiency in the manual of arms and the
evolutions of parade such as l have never
seen surpassed by any regiment of an equal
time under tuition. The initiative tendency
of the negro makes him acquire with great
ural rapidty the motions of the drill-master
Wnlle Jne strong nluSlcttl laSle ana perfect ear
for time enables him to march with the har-
mony and unanimity of veteran regulars.
''When the review was presented by the
adiutant to Capt. Fessenden, of Gen. Hunters
staff, commanding the regiment. a straighter
line of bayonets or steadier body Of men has
seldom been seen. To every order given the
response was quick and simutaneous-the
regiment changing front, wheeling by column
of company, forming line, dressing ranks, and
going through all portions of a thorough re-
view with a silent obedience and accuracy
hardly to be surpassed by any white regi-
ment. now at Hilton Head Commodore
Dupont expressed himself to the effect, and
almost in the words l have used. He ar
rived in the south thorough believer in the |
hopelessness of elevating the negro race, but, |
like Paul on his journey to Damascus, he has |
seen great light. His honest and capacious
mind has been opened to the convictions of
evidence, and judging from such portions of
his conversation os | had the honor of hearing
during the review, and the subsequent church
service. | believe that he will excuse me for
saying that he, for one, is not ashamed to con-
tess total revolution Of opinion in regard to
the negro question since he has been brought
face to face with its realities and that he is to-
day, an honest and sincere upholder of and be-
lever in both the success and honesty of the
experiment inaugurated by Gen. Hunter in
arming the blacks"