Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-27
he Regfo Expedition into FlOridn-~'
RFhVerY Of the Negr0 IrOops.

IL aOUNNGANA1AA ~ e--N -
AZ United States soldiers, that the ex-
pedftion composed exclusively Of cOlOred
troops, which lately left Beaufort for the
Florida coast and interior, has been looked
to with great interest as the experiment
which was TO solve the question Of their
ability. We have made mention Of the
departure Of the expedition and the cap
ture Of the town Of Jacksonville, Florida.
This place is situated about twenty miles
up the ST.. Johns river, and has already
been in our possession twice since the war
began, but abandoned both times. A cor
respondent Of the New York Times says:
ga necessary delay, before attempting
the object they had in view, afforded an
opportunity for detachment of dozen OF
Colonel Montgomery's men to 60 ashore on
a foraging excursion. They proved them
selves experts in that line of business, re-
turning in an hour with fat beef, slung
on pole, that had fallen a victim to good
Workmanship. This prize with quantity
of poultry and vegetables that came with
it. and q superabundsncs Of excellent tsh,
which these on board the vessels took while
their comrades we're on shore, aided the
Commissary's Department, and added VS.
IDLY to the hilarous good humOr."
After Jacksonville had been captured
two white regiments left Beaufort to relieve
the negro regiments at Jacksonville, and
will hold that place while Colonel Higgin-
son presses on further into the heart Of the
State.
The Boston Journal publishes the follow
ing interesting particulars of the capture
Of jacksonville and subsequent events;
INCIDENTS OF THE ARRIVAL.
awe came up TO the wharves without
any opposition whatever; and, as the boats
we're coming in, the ladies Of the town
came leisurely down and viewed us at their
leisure, and then turned and walked away.
The colored troops were Immediately land
ed and posted at the corners Of the streets,
and it was very amusing to witness the
esgerness Of the darkies as they took their
station before houses. A half dozen would
stand at charge bayonets, all eagerly
watching as if they expected q rebel would
show his head, and they we're all ready TO
charge upon him. One old lady seemed
very submissive, but considerably pur-
turbed. She asked permission Of Colonel
Montgomery to go across the road to her
neighbor. The Colonel of course gave
consent at once, and very politely escorted
her over. AS she was leaving the house
she called to Maria to take care Of the
house, which she Immediately did by lock-
ing the door and oOncealing herself, so that
when her mistress returned she could gain
no entrance TO her own house, the fright
ened servant having taken herself away
out Of hearing. After some time she sue
ceeded in prevailing upon Maria to open
the door.
THE tFAIR LADIES INDIGNANT.
"The fair ladies are exceedingly indig-
nant that negro troops are brought here.
1 met three young ladies, who were in q
state Of great perturbation, expressing the
greatest fear that the negroes would be
allowed to disturb them, or murder or de-
stroy them or their property. I assured
them they would not be allowed to
harm them; that the discipline of
the soldiers was excellent, and they
ElDulu LEEbANE AO nNAAA WAAeSHSAH ---NJ
expressed themselves very much relieved,
but they expressed the greatest hate and
contempt for the poor niger. If white
troops had come, they would have no fear
at all, but these horrid negroes, they would
surely kin them all-they could not be re-
strained
SUPERIORITY OF THE NEGROES AS sENTINELs.
"The most perfect discipline can be
maintained in the colored regiments; and
for drill they are quite as apt as any white
troops l have ever seen, and for fighting
material they have already proved them
selves courageous beyond the most san
guine expectation, the great difficulty being
to restrain them when they once begin an
attack. For sentinels they are superior to
any troops we have, for they will not suf-
fer themselves to be tampeTed with in the
least. Here is an instance. Two nights
since, the sentry on this boat, (the Burn
side)-a recruit who had scarcely been
two weeks in the service, and never before
stood guard-halted a boat, giving the
usual challenge, Halt that boat 7 which
the boat did not heed. He repeated Halt
that boatr The boat did not heed the
challenge. The sentinel brought his piece
to his shoulder, cooked it, and gave the
third challenge in a tone not to be misun-
derstood-' Halt that boat and it did
halt, and very fortunate was it for the
boat that the sentinels piece was not load
ed The boat answered the challenge
Who comes there p with Friend, and
the sentinel called his corporal, and the
matter was inquired into and found 10 be
correct, and the bearer Of dispatches was
allowed to come on board. Colonel Mont
gomery remarked at breakfast the next
morning that it was one of the finest chal-
lenges he ever heard.
"The town is picketed, and guards
placed for all necessary protection. The
negroes report small force Of rebels sta
toned eight miles from here. The Colonel
proclaims to every cOlored man he meets
that they are free, and it is pleasing to wit
ness the effect upon them.
sKIRMIsHEs WITH TIE ENEMY.
THURSDAY, March 12.-Yesterda lay we
had sharp skirmishing. The rebels en-
deavored to dislodge us from the town,
but they went away with much greater
respect for negro soldiers than they ever
conceived Of having. The enemy attacked
our picket on Tuesday night and were re-
pulsed, with how large force it is impOssi-
BILE to say.
"At about eight o'clock Wednesday
morning force Of two hundred cavalry
made an attack on companies A and B Of
the Second regiment, stationed west of the
town, near the railroad. They came round
upon the left flank of company A TO the
front, in half circle, poured terrific
volley in upon our men, completed the cir
ole and gave US another fire, while company
A got in only one volley in return, which
Cid, however, fearful execution. Their
Surgeon was shot through the forehead
and fell dead. Captain Holt, company A,
and Captain Apthrop, company B, retired
q short distance and formed in line, and
awaited the re-sppearance Of the enemy.