New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-09
IDOHYHEDEPARYHENTOF THES0UIn
Brilliant Raid by Col. DTontgonery's
Colored Troops.
THEIR NUMBERS LARGELY RR-ESPORCED'
Capture Of H0miny, Blood Horses, &C.

IRON, Oar Special Correspondent; n , ,asa
One Of the most brilliant raids since the Depart
uent of the South was created has just been sue
cessfuly made by Col. Montgomery of the I'd South
Carolina.
Upon information obtained from negroes who came
in from the main land last week, Gen. Hunter
came to the conclusion that be could fill one of his
negro regiments without going TO Florida, and that
the rice swamps, but few miles from Beaufort
would give him the required number. Although
about 70 start upon another expedition, of more a
parent Importance, Col. Montgomery was ordered
~ embark two hundred picked men from MS reSl-
meot, and with the Harriet A. Weed John Ao"ns
snd the Sentinel, proceed mp CooSaw kiVer, eHeot
landing, and penetrate the main Land III Ie"SS -
miles
How ably Col. Montgomery eXecnted the 'ssk
assigned TO him, the crowded decks OF the ABOVE
naued yessels ana the old Baptist Shureh III Deau
fort, filed with stout negroes, July 'esu'y vhe
thousand valuable negro chaiels, several hundred
haas of hominy fine lot OF blood horses, and any
amount of household furniture, are the uophes
he returns With.
Col. Montgomery left Beaufort yesterday morn,
ing eft eleo his landing without opposition, iouud
two deserted forts aud any number OF rhe-pis,
which il will be remembered had been used but few
weeks since IN the destruction OF the steamer George
Washington put few men IN the forts, few more
In the rfe-pis, ard then threw ont the balance OF
hls little force as skirmisherS, thus completely de-
eeiying the enemy and leading him to suppose that
he bad large force IN reserve, when IN reailty Ire
had not man. The enemy was about three regl'
nents strong aud had infantry, artillery and cav
airy. The Rebel artillery and cavalry advanced
but upon discovering the stroug picket force black
heads peering the earth works aud three steam
ers lying oil In the stream came TO the conclusion
that too strong Tor them, aud that II would
be prudent 70 retire, and thst, too preeipltateiy
They did retire and left the splendid nee plantation
Tor distance OF % miles eatirely At the mercy Of
Col. Montgomery The moment the Rebel force re
tired the negroes from the plantations came ockine
into our lines by hundreds aud thousands, and hsc
there been time ana transportation, hve instead OF
one thousand might have been brought off.
|, is impossible TO describe the eagerness with
which these negroes sought the opportunity u
esale. They were willing 10 come, many OF them
almost in nude state, rather than be left behlud
But Col. Montgomery, notwithstanding the value OF
time, took everything very c0olly, and gathered
together ali the provisions and furniture be
could find, and after sackng every house known 10
belong TO some notorious Rebel, set ire 10 1t, and
under ts light fell back biz boats, embarked biz
men and his property. By daylight this morning he
lay anchored oil Beaufort, having been absent not
Qmte twenty-fOur hours.
To recaptulate: Col. Montgomery has brought Of
vii MN six hundred thousand dollars worth Of
thattel property has destroyed fifty dwelling Louses
has demonstrated beyond all question that me- gro
soldiers vii follow wherever brave man dare lead
ana that the slaves or the rice plantations OF South
Carolina are eager 10 reach hnes, and the male
portion Of them to euter the service of the Govern
nent In the capacity OF soldiers.
Having but . moment to write before the steame
sails cannot give you all the interesting details o
this brilliant rad. In my next / shall send Col
Montgomery Official report, together with every
thing <lse OF interest connected with the affair.
N.P.