“Our next landing was made at Daniel McDonald’s plantation.  His extensive and valuable salt-works were demolished, and he himself taken prisoner.  By documents captured, it was ascertained that he was a Rebel of the worst kind.  We took only a few of his slaves, as he drove back into the woods about ninety of them just before our arrival.  One fine-looking man came hobbling down on a crutch.  McDonald had shot off one of his legs some eighteen months before.  The next plantation had some five hundred slaves on it; several of our troops had come from it, and also had relatives there, but the lateness of the hour and the dangerous points to be passed on our return admonished us to retreat.

“Our next attack was expected at the bluff.  The enemy had improved the time since we parted from them in gathering reinforcements.  Colonel Beard prepared the men for a warm fire.  While everything was in readiness, and the steamer dropping down hard upon the enemy, the writer passed around among the men, who were waiting coolly for the moment of attack, and asked them if they found their courage failing.  ’Oh, no, Mas’r, our trust be in de Lord.  We only want fair chance at ’em,’ was the unanimous cry.

* * * * *

“Most people have doubted the courage of negroes, and their ability to stand a warm fire of the enemy.  The engagements of this day were not an open-field fight, to be sure, but the circumstances were peculiar.  They were taken by surprise, the enemy concealed, his force not known, and some of the troops had been enlisted only two days.  Captain Budd, a brave and experienced officer, and eye-witness of both engagements, has kindly given his opinion, which we are sure will vindicate the policy, as well as justness, of arming the colored man for his own freedom at least.

“’United States Steamer Potomska,

“’Sapelo River, Ga., Nov. 7, 1862.

“’Sir,—­It gives me pleasure to testify to the admirable conduct of the negro troops (First S.C.  Volunteers) under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Beard, Forty-Eighth New-York Volunteers, during this day’s operations.  They behaved splendidly under the warm and galling fire we were exposed to in the two skirmishes with the enemy.  I did not see a man flinch, contrary to my expectations.

“’One of them, particularly, came under my notice, who, although, badly wounded in the face, continued to load and fire, in the coolest manner imaginable.

“’Every one of them acted like veterans.

“’Very respectfully,

“’WILLIAM BUDD,

“’Acting-Lieutenant Commanding Potomska.

“‘To the Rev. M. French, Chaplain, U.S.A.’