The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-17
A COntraband Expedition Whips the
Rebel Chivalry.

much discussion as The introduction OF
negro soldiers by the Federal Govern
meni-following ia this respect the pres
cedent of General WAsHrSGToS during
the Revolutionary War, and of JEFF. DA-
Wis himself-we give a full account Of
the Expedition by Col HIsGHsoS, who
led the expedition
FERSANpNA, FLA, Jan. 80 1863
An expedition, consisting of six COM
panies Of the First South Carolina volun-
teers, under Colonel Higginson, with the
steamers Ben Deford, John Adams and
Planter, arrived here on Monday last,
having left Hilton Head on Friday even
ing. At st. Simon's Island they stopped
and secured = lot of farming Implements,
horses and cattle, from the deserted plan
tation of L. Butler King, wanted for the uss
OF the contrabands employed under the
direction of Gen. Saxton on this Island
and also some thirty tons of railroad
iron, from rebel Notifications constructed
TO defend the sound, wanted at Hilton
Head. After landing their trophies here,
five companies Of tho black soldiers were
embarked on the John Adams Ga Boston
| ferry boat now mounting three Parrot
guns and howilzer) and the Planter (the
old boat run out of Charleston by Robert
Small, now with two guns), and went up
the st. Mary's river in the evening aud
landed at Township, on the Florida side,
about twenty miles up, with the purpose
of capturing Captain Clark's company of
guerrillas, known TO be encamped about
/ tour miles back from the river.
SUCCESS or THE EXPEDITION.
Under the guidance Of faithful black,
named Sutton, who was thoroughly ac-
quain,ed with the country, Colonel Hig-
ginson marched his eager men about
three miles toward the appointed place,
when they were met by the company,
numbering about eighty, mounted, and a
skirmish took place, which resulted in
the loss Of one killed and seven wound
ed on our side, aud, as has since been
ascertained, twelve killed and wounded
of the enemy, the Lieutenant in com
mand being killed. The enemy had an
ticipated the attack, and therefore pre-
pared 10 meet it, and in the darkness
succeeded in firing one effective volley,
which was returned with such effect that
they dispersed Immediately with serious
loss The black soldiers were anxious 10
follow and ferret them out, but Colonel
Higginson did not deem it prudent TO go
farther into the enemy's country in pur-
suit of party of mounted men, and re-
turned to the boats after burying the
dead soldier on the banks of the river
The buildings at the landing were de-
stroyed, and the boats, after securing a
piano and six negroes who wished TO be
brought of, returned next morning down
the river.
"0N BOARD STEAMER BEN DEFoRD,l
Sunday, February l, 1868.
"Bngadier- General Sa1ton, Military Gov
ernor, DC:
GENERAL IL have the honor TO report
the safe return Of the expedition under
my command, consisting Of 462 officer.
and men of the First regiment of South
Carolina volunteers, who left Beaufort on
January %, on board the steamers JohI
Adams, Planter and Ben Deford.
"The expedition has carried the regi
mental flag and the Presidents prOcla
nation, far into the interior Of Georgil
and Florida. The men have been re.
psatedly under FIRE had infantry, cav
airy and artillery arrayed against them
and have, in every instance, come off moi
only with unblemished hSnor, but will
nndisputed triumph. Az Township
Florida, q detachment of the expedition
fought cavalry company which met Vi
unexpectedly on a midnight marcl
through pine woods, and which com.
pletely surrounded us. They we're beatel
off with loss on our part of one maj
killed and seven wounded, while tho op
posing party admits twelve men killed
Gncluding Lieutenant Jones, in cOmmanC
Of the company besides many wounded
SO complete was our victory, that th
enemy scattered, hid in the woods al
night, not returning 20 his camp, whicI
was five miles distant, until noon mex
day; G fact which was unlOrtunaiel,
unknown until too late TO follow up on
advantage. Had listened to the urgen
appeals of my men, and pressed the fly
3 ing enemy, we could have destroyed hi
camp; but in view of the darkness, hi
. uncertain numbers and swifter motions
with your injunctions Of caution,
judged 1t better TO rest satisfied with to-
victory alreacy gained.
Goa another occasion a detachment o.
about two hundred and fifty men, ol
board the John Adams, fought its wal
forty miles up and down river, th
most dangerous in the departmenl-th
1 fSt Mary's--a river left untraversed bl
} our gunboats for many months, as IL re-
quired a boat built like the John Adam
TO ascend it successfully. The streau
is narrow, swift, winding and borderel
at many places with high bluffs, whicl
blazed with rifle shots. With our glaIis
es, as we approached these points, W
could sec mounted men by the hundred
; gallOping through the woods from poin
. 10 point 10 await US, and though fearfu
. Of our shot aud shell, they were 10 dar
ing against muskotry that one rebel &C
tually sprang from the shore upon th
large boat which was towed at Ou
stern, where ho was shot down by on
Of my sergeants. We could see on
a shell scatter the rebels as they fe
J, among them, and some terrible execute
f.. must have been done; but not man {
!, this regiment was killed or wounde'
though the steamer is covered with bul
Q let-marks, one Of which shows WheI
our brave Captain Clifton, commander ,
e the vessel, fell dead beside his own pilS
house, shot through tho brain by a min
ball. Major Strong, who stood beside hin
escaped as II by magic, both Of them b,
ing unnecessarily exposed without M