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SIR: I have the honor to inclose, for your information, the report of
an expedition which I sent on the steamer Darlington up the rivers and
lagoons on the coasts of Georgia and Florida between Saint Simon's
Island and Fernandina:
The expedition was composed of Col. Oliver T. Beard, Forty-eighth
New York Volunteers; Rev. Mansfield Branch, chaplain, U. S. Army,
and Captain Trowbridge, with his company (A), of the First South Carolina Volunteers (colored). I had two objects in view in sending this
expedition. The first was to prove the fighting qualities of the negroes
(which some have doubted), and the other was to bring away the people
from the main-land, destroy all rebel salt-works, and to break up the
rebel picket stations along the line of the coast.
I am happy to report that in every point of view the expedition
was a, perfect success. Rarely in the progress of this war has so much
mischief been done by so small a force in so short a space of time.
Thirteen different landings were made. The pickets in every case
were driven in, the salt-works destroyed, and all the work finished up
before the enemy could collect a sufficient force to overpower our men.
It is admitted upon all hands that the negroes fought with a coolness and bravery that would have done credit to veteran soldiers.
There was no excitement, no flinching, no attempt at cruelty when
successful. They seemed like men who were fighting to vindicate their
manhood and they did it well.
I trust that you will appreciate the importance of this little effort of
the First South Carolina Volunteers. It seems to me one of the important events of the war--one that will carry terror to the hearts of
the rebels. It discloses an objective point where the hardest blow can
be dealt against this rebellion. This whole coast is intersected by bays,
lagoons, and rivers, which are navigable by light-draught steamers, in
some instances, for more than 100 miles up into the heart of the richest
part of the Southern country. I would propose to have a number of
light-draught steamers; have them well armed and barricaded against
rifle-shots, and place upon each one a company of 100 black soldiers.
These are better than white soldiers for this service, on account of the
greater facility with which they can effect landings through the marshes
and thick woods which line the banks of the streams. each boat should
be supplied with an abundance of spare muskets and ammunition, to
put in the hands of the recruits as they come in. These boats should
then go up the streams, land at the different plantations, drive in the
pickets, and capture them, if possible. The blowing of the steamer's
whistle the negroes all understand as a signal to come in and no sooner
do they hear it than they come in from every direction. In case the
enemy arrives in force at any landing we have either to keep him at a
proper distance with shells or quietly move to some other point and
repeat the same operation long before he can arrive with his forces by land.
In this way we could very soon have complete occupation of
The whole country. Indeed I can see no limit to which our successes
might not be pushed up to the entire occupation of States or their
occupation by a large portion of the rebel army. I consider that your
instructions to me cover this whole ground; but in my present position I am utterly powerless to do anything. It was with extreme difficulty that I obtained the services of the Darlington from the military department for this one expedition, and I know not when I can again procure her services. I can procure no supplies of ordnance or medical stores without an order from the commanding general, and if he thinks
differently, or does not choose to give them to me, I am helpless. I
make no complaint of this; it is proper that the commanding general
should control the supplies; but all this routine, nevertheless, ties my
hands and renders it utterly useless for me to attempt to carry out
this great plan. I am convinced that it can only be done successfully
by the one who has absolute control of the means of transportation and
supplies.
I therefore beg leave to recommend that this duty he assigned to
the military commander of the department, and that he be instructed
to carry out a plan which, in my humble opinion, will, if carried out
properly, save the country a vast amount of life and treasure and do
much to break down this rebellion.
I have also to report that the First Regiment of South Carolina
Volunteers is filling up rapidly--550 are already enrolled. More than
1,000 able-bodied negroes are now in the employ of the Engineer and
Quartermaster Departments. Were I to enlist from these I could fill
up the regiment in one day; but I have thus far abstained from any
interference with these departments.
The steamer Darlington was captured from the rebels by the Navy
and was subsequently transferred to the Quartermaster's Department.
She returned from the expedition completely riddled with rifle balls.
Fortunately but 4 of our men were wounded.
Great credit is due to Colonel Beard, Mr. French, and Captain Trowbridge for their bravery and skill in managing the expedition.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Volume 14. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.
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