Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-03
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE
SOUTH.

fhOM IHE DEGAhl M EN- OF lHE
SOUTH.
From a reliable private source, we have the
following interesting items relative to the
first South Carolina (colored) regiment:
D." On the 9TH Of March the first South Car
lima (coored) regiment left its camp at Beau
fort S. G. and sailed for Fernandina and
Jacksonville. Florida. A steamer had been
used to ply between Fernandina and Jackson
vile. The regiment, taking possession of the
boat proceeded up the st. Johns to Jackson
Vile, and entering the town about eight o.
clock a. m. 10th March, Immediately, in sec
tons, secured the ways of egress, railroad,
&c. while other sections Of the troops engag-
ed the enemy. After sharp and short Skin
mish the place surrendered, which, with the
country adj accent is now held by the colored
regiment, with the assistance Of two gunboats
that have come to their aid. Judge Stickney.
formerly of your section, who planned and
accompanied the expedition, has now return
ed to Beaufort to induce the Department Of
the South to send troops to garrison Jackson
Vile, and to thus allow the first South Caro-
lima to penetrate further into the State, and
driving the rebels before them, allure the
blacks TO their standard. The policy of this
expedition is to secure all the negroes capa-
bic of bearing arms, and enlist them directly
in the service. Our northern friends need
not fear for the fighting qualities Of these
men. Personally have seen enough to con
vince me, that the only trouble their white
officers will experience, will be difficulty to
restrain them when necessary, and an oppor-
tunity for action offers. They are devoted to
their officers, and think it a honor to die
for them. No men show greater devotion to
their officers, and | may add, to the cause,
than the first South Carolina. Religious en-
thusiasm, combined with superstition is a
prominent feature in their character. On the
day after they had received marching orders,
| visited their camp and saw these character
istcs fairly illustrated.
On a previous expedition many OF them,
with their Colonel, T. w. Higgnson of lit
erary fame, and always in the van, had shown
noble instances of daring. A patriarch, of
more than ninety years, had witnessed the
strife. AT this time, in which they were
again about to hazard battle, in which i'll
unsuccessful every man of them would be
hung, this old man harrangued the regiment in
squads. listened to his eloquence, a speci-
men of which give you. regrettlng | cannot
impart it in his peculiar Seracuar. Referring
to the previous battle, he said, when l see
the Colonel put his shoulder to the gun, when
hear the sh,ll whiz through the air know
it a bolt from Heaven, sent by the vengeance
Of Almighty God to hurl the rebels to hell
and damnation. What has been will be. You
will many of you die, but he who dies, leap
ing from the boat, or is shot in the bush, he
first gets to Heaven" And much more to
the same import, Of soul-stirring eloquence,
which aroused an overpowering frenzy His
counsels were also humane--to spare even
those who had numerically treated them,
should they fall into their hands, as they
hoped for themselves mercy from Heaven
This old apostle is power, and displays an
eloquence that conviction alone inspires.
These are stirring times. To go in for
uIjugdtion or determination is the only policy.
"Submit or die, and submission will follow
Moral suasion ought never to have been re-
lied upon, and those sustaining this policy at
home have destroyed many lives.