INTERESTING FROM PORT ROYAL: Operations of the Negro Troops in Florida; JACKSONVILLE RECAPTURED BY THEM (3/22/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/22/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Our Own Correspondent.

PORT ROYAL, Sunday, March 15, 1863. Several days since, an expedition left Beaufort, composed of the First South Carolina Volunteers, Col. HIGGINSON, and two companies of the Second South Carolina Volunteers, Col. MONTGOMERY, for the purpose of establishing a permanent post and base of operations on the St. John's River, Florida, which should also be a refuge for fugitives, and the headquarters for the organization of the colored troops. Yesterday, the steamer Boston, one of the transports of the expedition, returned to Port Royal with encouraging news of its success, up to the period of her departure. The troops landed at Fernandina, and marched thence to Jacksonville, capturing the latter town for the third time during the past year. The few inhabitants of the place were in mortal dread of the sable soldiers, and expected a general massacre; but the negroes conducted themselves with becoming propriety, and the residents soon overcame their terror. On the 11th instant, Col. MONTGOMERY and two hundred men took the road to Baldwinsville, where the Jacksonville and Tallahassee and Fernandina and Cedar Keys Railroads form a junction; and when the troops got about three miles from Jacksonville, they encountered a rebel force, and had a sharp skirmish. The enemy was put to flight, and the negroes were pushing on.

The direct Tax Commissioners, last week, had a public sale of such lands as are not needed for military purposes, upon the islands of St. Helena, Port Royal and Paris. The competition for the possession of the lands was fair and the average price was $1 per acre. There were not more than twenty bona fide purchasers, as the Commissioners bid upon every lot in behalf of the Government,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4139714/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Interesting from Port Royal: Operations of the Negro Troops in Florida – 2
The Army of the Potomac: How St. Patrick’s Day was Celebrated – 2-3
Death of Maj.-Gen. Sumner – 3
Deserters in Indiana: “Butternuts” Rescue them After Arrest – 3
The War in Tennessee: Gen. Rosecrans’ Official Report of the Late Cavalry Fight – 3
From New-Mexico: Depredations by the Indians – 3
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 4
Editorial: Death of Gen. Sumner – 4-5
Editorial: Hindman, Price and the Trans-Mississippi Department – 5
March and Mars – 5
Infamous Robbery of Our Disabled and Other Soldiers – 5
Editorial: Napoleon’s King for Mexico – 5-6