1          Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment, P. V. March 31, 1863  Page 2  Col. 4          1

 

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

From the 104th Regiment, P. V.

ST HELENA ISLAND, S. C., March 13th, 1863.

Messrs. Editors :—The past winter has been the most

remarkable one of my life.  The month of December was

spent at Gloucester Point, Va.  While there we expe-

rienced several cold days and one snow storm, but since,

we have enjoyed a milder climate, having had no snow

and but little rain.

For once we have spent a winter without seeing mud or

mire—so common in the vicinity of Washington, on the

Peninsula and in Bucks county, and we have fully realized

the pleasantness of living in a climate where mud and

pinching cold are unknown.  This latitude is noted for

fine and pleasant winters.  At the time we left Morehead

City, N. C., we anticipated that an attack would be made

on Charleston or Wilmington at an early day; but nearly

a month of suspense has passed and nothing has been done

to reduce these strongholds of treason, more than to pre-

pare for the final attack, as we are told; really we are

subject to many disappointments.  If a formidable Iron

navy can reduce the forts that command the approaches

to these places, they certainly will fall, as the iron bat-

teries are here, apparently ready to commence the work. 

Gen. Hunter’s order, directing that all the negroes within

the department of the South, capable of bearing arms,

between the ages of 18 and 50 years, shall be enrolled

and organized into regiments to perform military duty in

the service of the United States, was received by the

troops of this detachment of the 10th army corps, and

particularly, as I am happy to state, by the men of the

104th.  A great reaction on the slavery and negro ques-

tion has taken place among the troops in this department,

and especially among the new arrivals.  Many of the

men in our regiment have changed their sentiments since

they have with their own eyes seen the modus operandi

of the cursed institution, and they are now strongly anti-

slavery, favoring the arming of the emancipates slave

and using him to aid in crushing this wicked slaveholder’s

rebellion.  If the good cause continues to make accessions

as rapidly as it has in our regiment since our arrival here,

the 104th will soon be abolitionized.  Three months ago

it was quite adventurous for any one to express opinions

favorable to arming the negro, as he would be met with

an unpleasant array of spleen, but now nearly all the

men and officers believe that they would make good sol-

diers; why should they not?  The secessionists and trait-

ors in the free states will eventually find that they have

made a great mistake in choosing the negro question as a

platform for gaining political capital and raising a party

to oppose the measures of the Administration in order to

effect a compromise with Jeff. Davis & Co.  If the lead-

ers of the Democratic party design founding its blessings

upon this measure, woe betide that party, for this measure

will be very popular among the real patriots of our coun-

try and the genuine Union-loving men of the nation as

well as among the friends of freedom, happiness, pros-

perity and national greatness.  many of slavery’s first-

cousins in the North are becoming very bold in holding

forth their pro-slavery measures, and denouncing our

worthy President in this good work.  This is what we

want to see; we always have opposed hunting behind the

bushes for these traitors.  Let them continue in their

evil way; slavery is dead now and the Union will be

saved.  This is the brightest period in the history of the

American people !  Gen. Hunter’s order enjoined the offi-

cers in this department to recommend worthy non-com-

missioned officers and privates for commissions in this

African army, about to be raised under the supervision

of Gen. Saxton, Military Governor of the Department. 

Gen. Saxton is receiving recommendations by the hun-

dred.  A large number are being sent from the 104th—

more I think than from any other regiment in the corps,

and were I to mention names I might create some sur-

prise among the Democracy of Bucks county.  As soon as

we venture to speak with freedom, we will ventilate much

underhand and not very patriotic work in regard to this

matter and other events by parties of this Regiment, now

protected by the shield of assumed military authority. 

Gen. Saxton is authorized to raise and organize the Af-

rican troops of this department.  He is a regular army

officer, and is a native of Massachusetts.  His feelings are

in the happy cause in which he is engaged, and fortun-

ately he is the right man in the right place, and we be-

lieve that success will attend his efforts.  The plantations

in this parish were sold a few days ago and were purchased

by New England men.  The Jenkins plantation, contain-

ing about 3000 acres, was sold for $1,125 ; the mansion on

the plantation cost four times that sum.  This is a great

field for speculation and a safe investment for loose cap-

ital.  Great fortunes will be made here in a few years by

raising cotton by the new system of Labor about to be in-

troduced.  The new England Yankees are beginning to

care for things in South Carolina, and a great revolution

is inevitable.                                                       UNION.