The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-02-07

unnecessarily exposed without my knowledge.
The secret of our safety was in keeping the rcgi-
ment below, except the gunners; but this required
the utmost energy of the officers, as the men were
wild to come on deck, and even implored to be
landed on shore and charge on the enemy.
Nobody knows anything about these men who
has not seen them in battle. ! find that myself
knew nothing. There isa fiery energy about them
beyond anything of which have ever read, unless
it be the French Zcuaves. 1t requires the strctest
discipline to hold them in hand. During our first
attack on the river before / got them all formed
below, they crowded at the open ends ofthe steam
er, loading and firing with inconceivabe rapidity,
and shouting to each other anever give it up"
When called into the hold ssthey actually fought
each other for places at thefew port holes from
which they could fire on the enemy. Meanwhile
the black gunners, admirably trained by Lieuten-
ants Stockdale and O'Neil (both being accomplish
ed artillerists) and Mr. Heron of the gunboat, did
their duty without the slightest protection and
with great GOODNESS, amid storm Of shot
This river expedition was not undertaken in
mere bravado. Capt. Sears, U. S. A, the con-
structor of Forftlnch, hsdurged upon the War
Department to endeayor to obtain large supply
Of valuable bricks, said to remain at the brick
yards, thirty miles up the st. Mary's, from which
Fort Clinch was originally supplied. The War
Department had referred the matter to Col. Hawey,
who approved my offer to undertake the enterprise.
Apart from this 1t was the desire Of Lieutenant
Hughes, U. S N, commanding the L. S. steamer
.Mot1uk, now lying at Fernandina, to obtain infor-
nation regarding rebel steamer the Borosa, said
to b, lying It'll farther up the river, awaiting an
opportunity to run the blockade. Both objects
were accomplished. / brought away ali the bricks
and ascertained the Borosa to be worthless.
have the honor to state that have on board
the Ben Deford. go tons Of the best new railroad
iron, valued at $1,000 and much needed m this
department. This was obtained on St Simon,s
and Jekyl Islands, Georgia, from abandoned rebel
forts, portion of it having been previously blown
up and collected by Captain Stcedman of the Paul
Jones. ! have also eight large sticks of valuable
yellow pine lumber, said to be worth 500, which
came from ST. Mary's, Georgia. There is also
quantity of rice, resin, cordage oars, and other
small matters, suitable for army purposes. On
board the John .idams there is flock Of sheep
from Woodstock Florida. l have turned over to
Captain Sears about 5000 large-szed bricks, val
ued at about a thousand dollars, in view of the
presenthigh freights. have also turned over to
Judge Iatta, civil Provost Marshal at FernaHdina,
four horses, four steers and quantity of agricul-
tural implements suitable for Mr.. Helpers opera
tions at that location.
have seen with my own eyes, and left behind
for want of transportation (and because brick was
even more yaluabe) enough of the choicest South
ern lumber to load five steamers like the Ben De-
foyd-an amount estimated at more than million
feet, and probably worth at Hilton Head, s9o,ooo.
also left behind, from choice, valuable furniture