1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment, P. V. February 17, 1863 Page 2 Col. 3 1
LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.
From the 104th Regiment, P. V.
BEAUFORT, S. C., Feb. 4th, 1863.
Messrs. Editors :—On Monday afternoon last we were
conveyed from off Hilton Head to this place, a distance
of 12 miles. The passage was delightful in the extreme.
The sun shone with the pleasantness of a fine May day at
home. The shores of the river are low and marshy, cov-
ered with marsh grass, and the country wears rather an
inhospitable appearance. The portion of South Carolina
bordering on the ocean consists principally of islands,
some of which are very unhealthy owing to the deadly mi-
asma generated by the swamps. Others contain extensive
plantations, which produce the famous Sea Island cotton,
the best that is raised. Where the land is cultivated it is
represented as being very productive. Land was cheap
previously to the rebellion, four dollars being the assessed
value per acre.
We reached Beaufort just as the sun was setting, and
from the deck of the Cahawba we gazed upon a delight-
ful scene. On surveying Beaufort from the river, one
might suppose it to be a second Paradise, with stately
mansions built at random in a live-oak grove. Previously
to the rebellion it contained a population of 5,000, com-
posed of southern aristocracy, who luxuriated on the earn-
ings of their human chattels, built costly mansions, and
lived in opulence ; but like the gaudy summer bird at the
approach of winter, they have departed. The former pop-
ulation, at the approach of the Unionists, deserted the
place, and but one white man was found in it, and report
says he was drunk. The place has been stripped of much
of its former beauty, yet it is still the most attractive city
I have seen in the South. The population at present is
composed of contrabands, and a few loose money-worship-
pers, who follow the army to benefit their pockets. The
Chaplain was much surprise to see darkeys living in their
masters’ houses, and advised the Colonel to pay particu-
lar attention to their recently assumed privileges for
special benefit. The Baptist church is used for concerts
and negro exhibitions; the graveyard wall was torn down,
and the bricks were used by the soldiers. Mahogany
doors were torn off and used as flooring in soldiers’ tents.
Pianos and other valuable furniture were knocked to
pieces, saving the trouble of guarding them. By accounts,
the soldiers had a general pitching-in, when this place
was taken, and resorted to practical confiscation.
The contrabands are employed, and where work is be-
ing done, they may be seen engaged. Quite a number,
principally females, are employed in the cotton ginning
factory ; they are paid 25 cents a day, or 12 ˝ and rations
—most clothe them themselves. Detachments of the 1st S.
C. (colored) Volunteers may be seen passing through the
place at times, under arms, being quite a novelty, and the
centre of attraction to the new comers. As we approached
the dock, a squad of these darkeys were escorting several
secesh to the brick jail. The regiment now numbers 1,000
men; the officers are whites—formerly privates in New
England regiments. At the time Hunter commenced to
organize this regiment, it met with heavy opposition in
this corps ; but as time rolls on, its most sarcastic oppo-
nents are settling down to the opinion that “ they ought
to be tried, and have a fair chance to show what they will
do.” This is generous, and worthy of imitation. Their
uniform consists of dark blue frock coat, cap, and red
pants. While certain political factionists are endeavoring
to convince the masses that a nigger’s blood is better than
a white man’s, and too precious to be shed upon the field
of battle, we are happy to see that the Government intends
bringing the resources of the rebellion to bear against
the rebels, and we hope that these colored regiments will
be put in active service as soon as the men have learned
the drill, and have a chance to meet their masters where
powder is burnt. The regiment bears the reputation of
being in a superb state of discipline, and those who are
supposed to know, think it will do better that many white
regiments. Time will demonstrate their ability to cope
with the foe.
On Tuesday morning the regiment disembarked, and
remained on shore until Wednesday afternoon, giving the
men an opportunity for washing, and enjoying a recrea-
tion on land for the benefit of their health. Lieut. Col.
Hart has been in command of the regiment since we left
Yorktown, and, with the aid of the Chaplain as prime
minister, is endeavoring to keep the regiment in working
order. The arresting of officers is a new point of tactics
recently introduced. Since Sunday last four officers have
been ordered “ under arrest,” among whom is your cor-
respondent, L. H. M., who was ordered “ under arrest”
for not going from the “ companion way” of the vessel to
the quarters of the men for no purpose, as advised to by a
superior officer,—showing how military power may be
abused; but, for the sake of the Union, all this must be
borne patiently, hoping that a brighter day is dawning,
when we may be honorably released from the despotism
we are so humbly enduring. When an officer is ordered
“ under arrest” he is deprived of his sword, and relieved
from duty, and generally “ turned loose”; but if the of-
fence is a grave one, he may be confined to his quarters.
Thus those who are “ under arrest “ have it much easier
than when on duty. It is designed as a disgrace, but it is
of such common occurrence, and is ordered for such tri-
fling offences, and in many cases for revenge, that the
disgraceful intent is not regarded as such.
Sunday, Feb. 8.—During Thursday and Friday we ex-
perienced a cold rain storm. Being on shipboard was
unpleasant in the extreme—the men crowded below, occu-
pying every available inch of room, and when night came
on, the difficulty of finding sleeping room was always re-
newed. On Friday night, private George Marlin, Com-
pany C, died suddenly of congestive fever. He was buried
yesterday, at Hilton Head. The regiment is disembark-
ing to-day. The vessel was brought as near to shore as
possible, and the men are conveyed to the shore in small
boats, making it very tedious to disembark. OBSERVER.