The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-04-01
Expedition Of Colonels Higginson
and Montgomery to Florida.
BecaPture of JacksOnvIllo-BrRv
OF the Negro Troops.

which we have had brief reports by tele-
graph. The expedition, consisting Of
two regiments, reached Jacksonville, Fla,
In transports on the 10Th
INCIDENTS OF THE ARRIVAL.
We came up to the wharves without
any opposition whatever; and, as the
boats were coming in, the ladies of the
town came leisurely down and viewed
US at their leisure, and then turned and
walked away. The colored troops we're
Immediately landed and posted ct the
corners Of the streets, and it was very
amusing to witness the eagerness of the
darkies as they took their station before
houses. A half dozen weuld stand at
charge bayonets, all cagerly watching as
if they expected a rebel would show his
head, and they were ready to charge upon
him. One old lady seemed very subnis-
sive, but considerably perturbed. She
asked permission of Colonel Montgome-
ry TO 60 across the road to her neighbor.
The Colonel of course gave consent at
once, and very politely escorted her over.
As she was leaving the house she called
to "Maria" TO take care of the house,
which she Immediately did by locking
the door and concealing herself, so that
when her mistress returned she could
gain no entrance TO her own house, the
frightened servant having taken herself
away out of hearing. After some time
she succeeded in prevailing upon Maria
to open the door.
THE "FAIR LADIES" INDIGNANT.
The fair ladies are exceeding indig-
nant that negro troops are brought here.
l met three young ladies, who were in a
state Of great perturbation, expressing
the greatest fear that the negroes would
be allowed to disturb them, or murder,
or destroy them, or their property. Las.
sured them they would not be allowed TO
harm them; that the discipline Of the
soldiers was excellent, and they should
receive no harm whatever. They ex-
pressed themselves very much relieved,
but they expressed the greatest hate and
contempt for the poor nigger. "lf white
troops had come, they would have no fear
at all, but these horrid negroes, they would
surely kill them all-they could not be
restrained"
SUPERIORITY OF THE NEGROES AS sENTEELs
The most perfect discipline can be
maintained in the colOred regiments; and
for drill they are quite as apt as any
white troops have seen, and for fight
ing material they have already proved
themselves courageous beyond the most
sanguine expectation, the great difficulty
being TO restrain them when they once
begin an attack. For sentinels they are
superior TO any troops we have, for they
will not suffer themselves to be tampered
with in the least. Here is an instance.
Two nights since, the sentry on this boat,
| (the Burnside)--a recruit who had
been two weeks in the service, and never
before stood guard halted a boat,
giving the usual challenge, Halt
that boat J" which the boat did
not heed. He repeated "Halt that boatl"
The boat did not heed the challenge.
The sentinel brought his piece to shoul-
der and cooked it, and gave the third
challenge in tone not TO be misunder-
stood-"Halt that boatP' and il did halt,
and very fortunate was ii for the boat
that the sentineps piece was not loaded.
The boat answered the challenge "WhO
comes there ?" with "Friend," and the
sentinel called his corporal, and the
matter was inquired into and found to be
correct, and the bearer Of dispatches
was allowed 10 come on board. Colonel
! Montgomery remarked al breakfast the
next morning that twas one Of the finest
challenges he ever heard.
The town is picketed, and guards
placed for all necessary protection. The
negroes report a small force Of rebels
stationed eight miles from here. The
Colonel proclaims TO every colOred man
he meets that they are free, aud it is
pleasant TO witness the effect upon them.
sKIRMIsHEs WITH THE ENEMY.
THURSDAY, March 12-Yesterday we
had sharp skirmishing. The rebels en-
deavored TO dislodge us from the town,
but they went away with much greater
respect for negro soldiers than they ever
conceived of having. The enemy at
tackled our picket on Tuesday night and
were repulsed, with how large a force il
is impossible to say.
At tabout o'clock Wednesday morning
q force Of two hundred cavalry made an
attack on Companies A and b of the sec
ond regiment, stationed west of the town
near the railroad. They came round
upon the left flank Of Company A TO the
front, In a half circle, poured a terrific
vOlley in upon our men, completed tbs
circle, and gave us another Bre, while
Company A got in only one yolley in re.
turn, which did, however, fearful execu'
ton. Their surgeon was shot through
the forehead and fell dead. Captain Holt
Company A, and Captain Apthrop, Com
pany b, retired a short distance AnC
formed In line, aud awaited the reappoar
Ance OF the enemy.
In q short time a force Of two hundred
infantry appeared In front. Captain Hol
mistaking them for our own men with
held his FIRE (Which il given at the propeI
time would have been perfectly murder
ous), until they flled toward the woods
The rebels at the same time poured 1
deadly dre into our men, which threw
them into a slight panic. But theI
returned the fire with effect, as seVera
were seen to fall. One man from Company
A was killed aud two wounded, one Sc
verely and one slightly As the enemy
fed towards the woods, Colonel Mont.
gomery, who was In front, was brough
in direct range Of the Gre, and fell upOI
his face until the shot passed over. ID