The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-02-18
OS BOARD STEAMER Ben DEFoRD,
Sunday Enbruorv 1872

SunuHN, feDruaFN !, l0Oh.
BrigIdtsr General StctDH, .Whuy GOccrnor dc.
GENERAL: have the honor to report the safe
return of tho expedition under my command con-
sisting of ib3 officers and men dt the first heg-
men of South Carolina Volunteers, who left Beau
fort on January 23, on board the steamers John
Adams, +. inter and Ben DeOrd.
The exp Htion has carried the regimcnial flag
and the Pres MS Proclamation far into the inte
ror Of Georgi. and Florida. The men have been
repeatedly under f"c: havO had infantry, cavalry,
and even artillery airayed against them, and have
in every instance, come off, not only with unbem-
ishcd honor, but with undisputed triumph. Al
Township, Florida, detachmtnt of the expedition
fought Il cavalry company which met us uneXpect
edy on a midnight march through pine woods,
aud which completely sprroundedus They were
beaten off with loss on our palt of one man Killed
and seven wounded while the opposing party ad
mits twelve men killed, Including Lieutenant
Jones, in command Of the company besides many
wounded. So complete was our victory that the
enemy scattered hid in the woods all night, not
returning to his camp, which was five miles dis
taut, until noon mex. day; fact which ERv hnuytu-
nately unknown until too late TO follow up ad-
vantage. Had listened TO the urgent appeals of
my men, and pressed the flying enemy, we could
have destroyed his camp; but i'll view of the dark
ness, his uncertain numbers and swifter motions,
with your injunctions of caution, | Judged il bet
ter to rest satisfied with the victory already gained
On another occasion, a detachment of about 500
men, on hoard tie John Adams, fought its way
Gus in the Department. the st. Mary's River, left
untravcr7cd by our eunboa:s for many months as
it required boat built like the John Adams, to as
cend successfully. The stream is narrow, swift,
winding, and bordered at many places with high
bluffs, which blazed with rifle shots. With our
glasses, as we approached these points, we could
see mounted men by the hundreds gallopng through
the woods from point Ia point tn await us, and
though fearful of our shot and shell they were so
daring against muskctry that one rebel actually
from tIp ,vl,i
was tOwed at stern, where he was shot down by
one of my sergeauts. We could see our shell scat
ter the rebels as they fell among them. and some
terrible execution must have been done; but not
IA man of this regiment was killed or wounded,
though the steamer is covered with bullet marks,
one of which shows where our brave Captain Cliff
ton, commander OF the vessel, fell dead beside his
own pilot house, shot through the brain by Mimic
ball. Major Strong, who stood beside him, escaped
as ifhy magic both OF them being unneoe ssarily cx
posed without my knowledge. The secret of our
safety was in keeping the regiment below, except
the gunners. But this required the utmost energy
OF the officers, as the men were wild to come on
deck, and even iIuplored to be landed on the 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 is a fiery
energy about them beyond anything Of which have
ever read, unless it be the French Iouaves 1t re-
quTes the strcest discipline TO hold them in hand
During our first attack ON the river, before | got
them all penned below, they crowded to the open
edds of the steamer, loading and firing with incOn
ceivabe rapidty and shouting to each other Never
give il up! When collected into the hold they ac
tuay fought each other for places at the few port
holes from which they could fire on the enemy.
Meanwhile the black gunners, admirably trained
by Lieutenant St0ckdale and 0'Neil, (bOtlI being
accomplished artillersts,) and Mr.. Heron, of the
gunboat, did their duty without the slightest pro-
lection and with great coolness, amid storm Of
shot.
We found no large numbers of slaves anywhere
yet we brought away several whole families and
obtained by this means the most reliable infor-
nation. was interested to observe that the news
of the Presidents proclamation produced marked
effect upon them, aud in one case it was of the
greatest service to us in securing the hearty aid OF
guide, who timid and distrustful till he heard
that he was legally free, after which he aided us
gladly and came away with us
No officer in this regiment now doubts that the
key tothe successful prosecution Of this war, lies
in the unlimited employment Of black troops. The
superiority lies simply in the fact that they know
the country, which white troops do not; and mora
over, that they have peculiarly Of temperament
position and motive, which belong TO them alone.
Instead of leaving their homes and families they
are lighting for their homes and families, and they
show the resolution and sagacity which personal
purpose gives. 1t would have been madness TO at
tempt with the brRvest white troops what | have
successfully accomplished with balck ones.
Everything, even to the plotting of the vessel
and the selection Of the proper points for cannon
aiding, was done by my own soldiers; indeed, the
real conductor Of the whole expedition at the ST.
Mary's wns Corporal Robert Sutton Of Co. G, for
merly slave upon st. Mary's Rivera man of ex-
traordinary qualities, who needs nothing but
knowledge Of the alphabet to enttle him to the
most signal promotion, In every instance where
followed his advice the predicted result followed
and never departed from it, however slightly,
without having reason for subsequent regret.
have the honor 10 be, &c, iH
7, w. HIGGINSON, V
Col. Com. First Regiment South Carolina Vols.