The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-27
S'BristeIlalreons.
How Black Soldiers Fight.

We present some extracts from the official
report of Col. I. w. Higginsou. comman-
ding the lst regiment Of South Carolina
volunteers, concerning an expedition lately
undertaken by the regiment. The report is
addressed to Brisadier General Saxton.
Thocxpedition, numbering 462 officers and
men, left Beaufort on January 23d, on board
the steamers John Adams, Planter and Ben
Deford. The report says: l 1a.rf
The expedition has carried tho rcgimental
flag and the Presidents proclamation far in
to the interior of Georgia and Florida. The
men have been repeatedly under FIRE; have
had infantry, cavalry, and even artillery ar.
ranged against them, and have in every in
stance, come of not only with unblemishcd
honor, but with undisputed triumph. AT
Township, Fla. detachment Of the cxpedi-
tion fought cavalry company which met US
unexpectedly on midnight march through
pine woods, and which completely surround.
ed us.
They were beaten off with loss on our
part of one man killed and seven wounded,
while tho opposing party admits twelve men
killed, (including Lieut.. Jones, in command
of tho company,) besides many wounded.
So complete was the victory that the enemy
scattered, hid in the woods oil night, not re-.
turning to his camp, which was FIVE miles
distant, until noon next day; fact which
was unfortunately unknown until too late to
follow up our advantage. Had | listened
to the urgent appeals Of my men, and pressed
the flying enemy, We could have destroyed
his camp; but in view of the darkness,
his uncertain numbers, and swifter motions,
with our injunctions of caution, judged it
butter to rest satisfied with tho victory alrca-
dy gained. .f.
On another occasion detachment Of about
$50 men, on board tho John Adams, fought
its way forty miles up and down river. the
most dangerous in the Departmcnt-tho St.
Mary's-- river left untraversed by our
gunboats for many months, us It required
boat built like tho John Adams to ascend II
successfully. The stream is narrow, swift,
winding, and bordcrcd at many places with
high bluffs, which blaaed with riao shots.
With our glasses, as we approached these
points, we could SEQ mounted men by the
hundreds galloping through the woods from
point to point to await us, and though fear
full of our shot and shell, they were so dar-
ing against muskctry that one rebel actually
sprang from the shore upon tho large boat
which was towed ut our stern, where he was
shot down by one of my sergcants.
We could see our shell scatter the rebels
as they fell among them, and somc terrible
execution must have been done. but not n
man of this regiment was killed or wounded,
though the steamer is covered with bullet
marks, ono of which shows where our brave
Captain Clifton, commander Of the vessel.
fell dead beside his own pilot-house, shot
through the brain by minnie ball. Major
Strong, who stood beside him, escaped rs by
magic, both Of them being unnecessarily ex-
posed without my knowledge Tho secret Of
our safety was in keeping the regiment be-
low, except tho gunners; but this required
the utmost energy Of the officers, as the men
wore wild to come on deck, and even implored
to bo landed on shore and charge on tho en-
emy. .i .H '.' .''i.' POI
Nobody knows anything about these mon
who has not soen them in battle. I find that
myself knew nothing There is frey on
ergy about them beyond anything of which
I have ever read, unless IL be the French
zouaves. It requires the strictest dicipline
to hold them in hand. During our first at-
tack on the river. before got them below,
they crowded at tho open ends of the steamer,
loading and firing with inconceivable rapid
ity, and shouting to each other "never give
it up!" When collected into the hold they
actually fought each other for places at tho
few PORTFOLIOS from which they could fire on
the enemy. c....r
Meanwhile the black gunncrs, admirably
trained by Lieuts. Stockdalc and 0'Neill.
(both being accomplished artillerists, and
Mr.. Heron, Of tho gunboat, did their duty
without tho slightest protection and with
great GOODNESS, amid q storm of shot.
The expedition was undertaken to capture
a large amount Of property, and was com.
pleto success. Two extensive salt-works were
destroyed. A cannon and dag were also
obtained. I frl floig7 il
The report concludes as follows; .a
We found no large numbers Of slaves any
where, yet we brought away several whole
families and obtained by their means the
most reliable information. / was interested
to observe that tho news Of tho Presidents
proclamation produced q marked effect upon
them. and in ono case II was Of the greatest
service to US in securing the hearty aid Of
n guide, who was timid and .distrustful till
he heard that hc was legally FREQ, after which
he aided us gladly and came away with us.
No officer in this regiment now doubts
that tho key to the successful prosecution Of
this war lies in the unlimited employment Of
black troops. Their superiority lies simply
In thn fact TINT thoY know tho country.