Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-11
OBJ 9ain spa, dooreesr aalonesoag oning fb Il, 1853

they were enabled, during our absence up st.
Marys river, to pay attention to tue salt works
along the coast. Finding that the works at
Kings Bay, formerly destroyed by this regi-
ment, had never been rebuilt, they proceeded
five miles up Crooked river, where saltworks
were seen. Capt. Trowhridge, with Captain
Rogers OF Co. +, and 80 men, then marched
two miles across a marsh, drawing a boat with
them, and then sailed up u creek and destroy
ed the works. There were % large boilers,
two storehouses, large quantity of SALT two
canoes, with barrels, and all things appertain-
ing,
desire to make honorable mention, not
only OF the above officers but of Mai. Strong,
Capts. James, Co. B, Randolph, Co. G, Met
calf, Co. Il, and Dolly, Co. IL. Indeed every
officer did himself credit, so far as he had OPP
portunity, while the cheerfuness and enthu-
siasm OF the men made it pleasure to com
mand them We found no large numbers of
slaves anywhere, yet we brought away several
whole families and obtained by their means
the most reliable information was inter-
ested to observe that the news of the presi-
dents proclamation produced marked effect
upon them, and in one case it was of the
greatest service to us in securing the hearty
aid OF guide, who was timid and distrustful
TIL he heard that he was legally free, after
which he aidad us gladly, and came away with
us. My thanks are due, for advice and in
formation, to Capt. Steedman, U. S. N, of
the steamer Paul Jones; to acting master
Moses, U. s. N, of the bark Fernaudna; to
acting lieutenant Budd U. S. N, of the
- s-reiiiiaf t-t5544s ka for taG4A:ap and coun-
sci, and especially to lieutenant commanding
Hughes, U. S. n, of the steamer Mohawk
for twenty tons of coal, without which We
could not have gone up the river.
| may state, in conclusion, that l obtained
mnch valuable information, not necessary to
make public, in regard to the location of sup
plies of lumber, iron, rice, resin, turpenune
and cotton; and it would afford the officers
and men OF this regiment great pleasure to
be constastly employed in obtaining these
supplies for the government from rebel
sources. But they would like still better to
be permitted to occupy some advanced point
i'll the interior, with steamer or two like the
John Adams, and an adequate supply of am
munition. We could obtain to great extent
our own provisions, and rapidly enlarge our
numbers, and could have information in adj
vance OF every movement against US. A chain
of such posts would completely alter the
whole aspect of the war in the seaboard slave
states, and would accomplish what no accu-
mutation of Northern regiments can so easily
effect.
No officer in this regiment now doubts that
the key to the successful prosecution of this
war lies in the unlimited employment of black
troops. Their superiority lies simply in the
fact that they know the county, which white
troops do mott and, moreover, that they have
peculiarities of temperament, position, and
motive, which belong to thea alone. Instead
of leaving their homes and families to fight,
they are fighting for their BONES and families,
and they show the resolution and sagacity
which a personal purpose gives. 1t would
have been madness to attempt with the BRAY
est white troops what | have success
fully accomplished with black ones.-
Every thing, even to the plotting of the YES
sci, and the selection of the proper points for
cannonading, was done by my own soldiers
indeed, the real conductor of the whole eXpe-
dltion at the St. Mary's was corporal Robert
Sutton, of Co. G, formerly slave upon the
ST. MaryS rivera man of extraordinary
qualities, who needs nothing but a knowledge
OF the alphabet to entitle him to the most sig
hal promotion. In every instance where |
| followed his advice, the predicted result fol-
lowed, and never departed from it, however
slightly, without having reason for subsequent
regret. L have the honor to be, &c,
L. w. HIGGNsoN Colonel
COm'd LIST regiment S. c. volunteers