The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-06-23
Brilliant Raid by Col. Montgomery:s
Colored Troops.

Brilliant Raid by Col. Montgomery's
Colored Troops.
HILTON HEAD, S. c., JUNE 4, 1868
| One of the most brilliant raids since tho
| Department Of the South was created has
just been successfully made by Col.
Montgomery Of the 2I South Carolins.
Upon information obtained from ne
groes who came iH from tie main land,
last week, Gen. Hunter came to the con-
clusion that lie could fll one of his ne.
gro regiments without going to Florida.
and that the rice swamps, but few
miles from Beau 'ori, would give him
the required number. Although about
10 start upon another expedition, OF more
apparent Importance, Sol. Montgomery
was ordered to embark two hundred
picked men from his regiment and with
the Harriet \. Weed, John Adams. and
the Sentinel, proceed up Coosaw River,
effect landing, and penetrate the main
land a. least % miles
How ably Col. Montgomery executed
the task assigned to him, the crowded
decks Of the above named vessels. and
the old Baptist church in Beaufort, filed
with stout nsgrces, fully testify. One
thousand valuable negro chaiels, several
bags Of hominy, fine lot of blood hor..
es. and any amount Of household furn;.
ture, are the trophies lie returns with.
Col. Montgomery left Beaufort yes,-r-
day morning, effected Lis landing with
out opposition, found two deserted fc,;s
and any number of rifle pits, which i,
will be remembered had been used bu,s
few weeks since in the destruction Of the
steamer George Washington, put few
men IN the forts, 4 few more in the rife
pits, and then threw out the balance OF
his little force as skirmishers, thus COM
pIetely deceiYing the enemy, and lead
ing him to suppose that lie bad a large
force IN reserve, when in realty he had
not man. The enemy was about three
regiments strong, and had infantry, ar.
tiIleiv and cavalry advanced. but upon
discovering the strong picket force.
black heads peering over the eaflhwolk,
and three steamers lying off in the stream.
came 10 the conclusion that we were too
strong for them, and that il would be
prudent for them TO retire, and that. too.
preeipilaleIy. They did retire, and left
the splendid rice plantations for dist.
ance Of 25 miles entirely at the mercy
OF Col. Montgomery. The moment The
rebel force retired, the negroes from the
plantations came foching into our lines
by hundreds ana thousands, and had
there been time and transportation, five
instead Of one thousand isht have beeu
brought off
Il is impossible to describe tie eager
ness with which these negroes sought
The opportunity to escape. They were
willing 10 come, many Of them almost in
a nude state rather than be lefl behind
Bus Col Montgomery. otwilhstanding
The value Of time, took everything very
eoolly, and gathered tegeher all the pro-
visions and furniture he coul find, and
after sacking every house known to be,
lorg to some notoriousRebel. sci Gre to
il, and under its light fell back TO his
boats, aud embarked his men sni prop
cry. By daylight this morning he lay
anchored of Beaufort, having been ab,
sent not quite twenty four hours
To recapitulale, Col. Montgomery has
brought of with him six hundred thou.
sand dollars worth of chattel property.
has destroyed fifty dwelling houses. has
demonstrated beyond all question that
negro soldiers will follow wherever a
brave man dare lead, and that the slaves
on the rice plantations Of South Carolina
are anxious II reach ous lines. and the
male portion of them 10 enter the service
Of the Government in the capacity OF
soldiers.
Having but momeut to write before
the steamer sails. cannot give you all
the interesting details of this brillisn,
raid. In my next | shall send Col.
Montgomery's ffioeial report. together
with everything else of interest connect.
with The affair Cor. y. y. Tribune.