The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-01-02

bling down on . crutch. Mcdonald had
shot of one O. his legs some eighteen months
, before. The next plantation had some five
hundred slaves on it several Of our troops
had come from it. and also hao relatives
there. but the lateness OF the hour and the
dang rous points to be passed on our return
admonished US TO retreat.
Our next attack w.s expected at the
bluf. The enemy had improved she time
since we parted from them in gathering re.
infercements. Colonel Beard prepared the
men for warm fire. While everything
was in readiness. and the steamer dropped
down hard upon the enemy. The writer pas
sed round among the meu Who were wait
ing coily for the moment of attack. and
asked them if thew found their courage faii-
ing oh. no, Mas'r. our trust be in de
Lord. We only want fair chance at 'em,'
was the unanimous cry.
"Nost people have doubted the courage
of negroes, and their ability to stand .
warm ERE of the enemy. The engagements
of this day were not an open field tight. to
be sure. but the circumstances were peculiar.
They were taken by surprise. the enemy
conc .aled. his force not known. and some of
the troops had been enlisted only two days.
Captain Budd, brave and experienced Of
fcer. AMI eye witness Of both engagements.
has kindly given his opinion, which we are
sure will vindica,e the policy. - we'll as
justness. of arming the colored man for his
own freedom at least
United States Steamer Pofom.ka.
| Sapelo River, Ga, Nov. Z. 1862
| "SIR.-It gives me pleasure to testify to
the admirable conduct Of the negro troops
! First S. C. Volunteers under the command
of Lieutenant Colonel Beard. Forty Eighth
New YORK Volunteers. during this days OPP
erations They behaved sp!endidiy under
the warm and CALLING FIRE we were exposed
! to in two skirmishes with the enemy. [ did
not man finch. contrary TO my expec-
| tations
"One of them. particularly. came under
nv notice. who. although ba!ly wounled in
the face, continued to load and ERE. in the
coolest manner imaginable. Every one OF
them acted like vete.ans.
Very respectfully, WM. BuDD.
"Act'g Lieut. Conmaniiug Potamska.
ITO the Rev. NJ. French, Chaplain, Us A
"On reaching his ship. Captain Budd led
our retreat. Ii had been agreed. after full
consultation on the subject. that. in our de-
seen, down The river. it Was best to burn
the buildings OF Capt. Hopkins and Colonel
Brsilsford. Both Of these stations we're
srrong picket stations particularly the latter.
Brsilsfnrd had bee sn with small force
a few days before our arrival at ST. Catha-
rine's, and shot one oi our contrabands,
wounded mortally. as WAS supposed. anoth-
er. aud carried off four women and three
men. He had also whipped to death. three
| weeks before. slave for attempting TO make
his escape. We~ad pn board Sam Miller.
\ former slave who no Lover three
hundred lashes for ::sos gso inform on
few OF his fellows Who had escaped.
ION passing among the mon, as we were
leaving The scenes of action. inquired il
they had grown aoy to day. Many stimuli
tant ously exclaimed. .-".Oh. yes, Msssa.
we have grown three inches / Sam said.
= l feel heap more OF mani
with the lurid flames still lighting up
all the region behind. and the bright rays Of
the smiling moon before them. they formed
a circle on the lower deck. and around the
hatchway leading to the hold. where were
,he women and chil!ren captured during
the day, and on bended knees they offered
up sincere and heartfelt thankssivings to
Altng ,ty God for the mercies of the day.
Sach iervent prayers for the President. for
th.' hearing of the Proclamation BY all in
boods, aud for the ending of the var and
slavery. were seldom, il ever, heard before.
About one hour was spent in singing and
PRAYER. Those waters surely never echoed
with such sounds before.
'OIr stea uer lef, Beaufort without a sol.
dier. and returned, at'er an absence of twelve
days, with one hundred and fifty sig fighting
colored men. some Of whom dropped the
hoe, took rnu>ke,. and were At once sol.
ders, ready tn ght for the freedom of 9TH
ers."
1t is conceded OF all sizes. that, wherever
our armies have had occupancy. there sla-
very has been practically abolished. Tue
fact was recognized by President Lincoln
in bis las, appeal to the loyal Slave States
to consummaie emancipation.
Another noticeable act of our Govern
ment in behalf of Liberty is the official pro-
vision il makes for the wants of the thous-
ands of helpless human beings thus thrown
upon our care. Taxed with the burden of
an immense var. with the care Of thous
ands of sick and wounded. the United States
Government has cheerfully voted rations for
helpless slaves, no less than wages to the
helpful ones. The United States Govern
ment pays teachers 10 instruct them, and
overseers to guide their Industrial Efforts
A free labor experiment 10 already in sue
cessfui operation among the beautiful sea-
islands in the neighborhood Of Beaufort, |
which. even under most disadvantageous
circumstances. is last demonstrating how
much more efficiently men will work from ,
hope and liberty than from fear aud con !
strant. Thus. even amid the roar Of cannon
aud the confusion OF war, cotton planting. !
as free labor institution, is beginning iss /
infant life, 10 grow hereafter 10 . glorious
manhood.
Lastly. the great. decisive measure Of the
war has appeared, - The Presideses Proc.
tamafion Of Emaneipaf,on.
This also has been much misunderstood Il
and misrepresensed in England. Il has
been said 10 mean virtually this:-Be loyal.
aud you shall keep your slaves; rebel. and
they shall be free