, 1863-02-17

cIiInys u NesmitG ~ Wilso1n 1 q q, NO.
Harding{U {U) Powell (D)
p'ysn1 pb'ys,a' Ries., Rhis,s, <sisk'' N;s2: S1f;qaa'
OPERATIONS or NEGRO
YOf.1JNTEEKS ON GEORGIA
COAST.
Their bravery Satisfactorily Proven.
The expedition Of the South Carolina color.
cd regiment into Georgia and Florida, proved
q perfect success, and should stop the snccrs
and ISLANDERS Of those who assert that negroes
arc towards, who will not fight, and can
never he made worth anything as soldiers.
We eopy;a part Of the long md highly inter-.
csting report of the expedition, By Col. Hig-
ginson, who commanded it:
On BoAnp STEAMER DES DEFoRD, Feb. !, 1853.
Brig. Gen. R. saxton, Military Governor, &C.:
GESERA1-I have the honor to report the
safe return Of the expedition under my COM
mand, consisting Of 462 officers and men Of
the lst South Carolina volunteers, who left
Beaufort, January Esd, on board tile steamers
John Adams, Planter aud Ben Deford.
The expedition has carried the regimental
flag and the Presidents Proclamation Ear into
the interior Of Georgia and Florida. The
had iu1antry, cavalry and some artillery array
ed against them, and have in every instance
come of not only with unblcuishcd honor,
but with undisputed triumph.
Al township Florida i detachment Of the
expedition fought cavalry company which
met us unexpectedly on Il midnight march
through pine woods, aud which completely
surrounded us. They were beaten Oft with a
loss on our part Of one man killed and seven
wounded, while the opposing party admits
twelve men killed, including Lieut.. Jones, In
command Of the company, beside many
the enemy scattered and hid in the woods all
night, not returning to his camp, which was
five miles distant, until noon next day-a fact
which was, unfortunately, unknown until too
late to follow up our advantage. Had lis
tened to the urgent appeals Of my men and
stroyed his camp; but iii view Of the dark
/ ness, his uncertain numbers, and swifter mo-
tions, with your injunctions of caution, I
judged it better to rest satisfied with the VIC
| tory already gained.
On another occasion, a detachment ofabont
$50 men, Oh board the John Adams, fought its
| way forty miles, lip and down river regarded
| By the naval commanders aB the most dan
gerous in the department-thc st. Mary's--a
/ river left untravcrscd By our gunboats fo1
| 1islH3 lutulls, IL IL ItlulIcS u HUAl 14hE kuG
| John Adams to ascend it successfully. The
| stream is narrow, swift and winding, aud Dor.
dercd at many places with high bluffs, which
blazcd with rifle shots. With our glasses, us
| VIC approached these points, we could see
mounted men By the hundred, gallopin,g
await Us, and, though fearful Of our ehot ani
shell, they were so daring against musketry
that one rebel actually sprang from the short
upon tue large boat which WAS towca at OH
stern, where lie WAS shot down by one Of m,
Sergcants. We could see our shells seattle
the rebels as they fell among them, and som'
terrible execution must hnyc been done, bu
moi !, man Of this regiment was killed Q
wounded, though the steamer Is covered witt
bullet marks, one Of which shows where on
brare Capt. Clifton, Of the vessel, fell dea
beside his own pilot house, shot throug
Il who stood beside him, escaped, as
by magic both Of them being unnecessaril
exposed, without my knowledge. The score
of our safety was in keeping the regiment De
; low, except the gunncrs; hui this required th
utmost energy Of the officers, as the men wer
wild to come on deck, and even implored t.
be landed on shore, and charge on the enemy
Nobody knows any thing about these men vii
has not seen them In battle. I find that I my
self knew nothing. There is q fiery encrg
about them beyond everything Of which
have ever read, unless 1t be the French Zor
arcs. It requires the strictest discipline t
/ hold them in hand. During our first attac
on the river, before got them all penned bt
low, they crowded Mt the open ends Of Il,
| steamer, loading and firing with incouceiv:
bic rapidity, and shouting to each othe
; stNcyer give 1t up" When collected in til
hold, they actually fought each other for pls
ccs at the few portfolios from which the
8 could fire on the enemy.
Meanwhile, the black gunners, adnlirabl
! trained By Lieuts. Stockdale and O'Ncii (bot
, being accomplished artillcrists) and Mr.. Hero
of the gunboat, did their duty without til
slightest protection, and with great coolnes
r amid a storm Of shot.
, Col. Higginson narratcs at considcrab
, length the spoi1s captured md carried awa
By the expedition:
may state In conclusion that obtaine
much valuable Information not necessary |
> make public, In regard to the location Of tt
: supplies Of lumber, iron, rice, rosin, turpe1
;. tine and cotton; md 1t would nfIord tic OF
Gers and men Of the regiment great plcasul
> to be constantly employed in obtaining SUI
4 plies for the Government from rebel source
4 But they would like still better to be permi
= ted to occupy some advanced point In the II
= terror. will, steamer Or two like the job
: Admins, md IN adequate nnlount of amu,uu
d tion. We could obtain, to 4 great cxten
e our own provisions, mud rapidly enlarge Of
:. numbers, and could have information in a
vance o1 every movement against US. a cha
l. Of sncA posts would completely alter IL
l. whole aspect Of the war in the scaboard sin,
It States, and would accomplish What no acc
mutation Of Northern regiments can so east
l. effect.
!" No officer In this regiment now doubts til
J. the key TO- the successful prosecution of tb
h war lies In the unlimited cmployme1,t
black troops. Their superiority lies simp
:. IN ihe fact that they know the country III
d white troops do not, and moreover they III,
lie peculiaritics Of temperament, position ar
"a motive whicl. belong to them alone. Inste:
'e Of leaving their homes and families 10 tlgh
j. they are fighting for their homes and fanflic
and they thow tho resolution aid sagacl
which Il personal purpose gives. 1t won
N have been madness to attempt, with II
=. brayeet white troops. what have successful
:, accomplished With black ones. Eycrythin
:" even to the fighting of the vessel and the S
g lection Of the proper points for cannonadin
N was done by my own soldiers; indeed II
II real conductor Of the whole expedition I
the st. Mart's was Corporal Robert Suite
III OF Co. q, formerly slayeup on the st. Mary
River, a man Of extraordinary qualities, ri
needs nothing but Il knowledge of the alpl
ee bet to entitle him to thu most signal prom
c. tinn. In every instance when / followed
al advice the predicted result followed, and
- never departed from it however slightly wit
~ ont having reason for subsequent regret
S, have the honor to he, General, very !
Ii. spcctfully, Your obedicnt servant,
7. ". HI0alNsoS,
Col. Commanding 1st Rcgt. S. G. Vols.