DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH: An Affair Near St. Augustine, Fla.; Capture of a Detachment of Our Troops by Rebel Cavalry (1/19/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 1/19/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

ST. AUGUSTINE, Friday Jan. 1, 1864.

The freedmen of this place have celebrated their first anniversary of the Proclamation of Emancipation to-day, and with entire success. At eleven A.M., they met on the Plaza, the bands of the two regiments playing for them, and citizens and strangers looking on with eager interest. The school children neatly dressed, marched upon the ground and shared in the exercises. Their songs, their quiet attention, and their creditable appearance in every way, gave good proof of the earnest efforts of their philanthropic teachers. Judge STICKNEY, one of the Tax Commissioners for this State, and a prominent citizen of Florida, presided, and made a short address, followed by the Chaplains of the regiments, Rev. Mr. WILSON, of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and Rev. Mr. TRUMBULL, of the Tenth Connecticut. Each spoke earnestly to them of their new position and new duties as freemen, urging the necessity of labor, in order to prove themselves true men, and worthy of the blessings of freedom. After the addresses, the Rev. Mr. BRINCKERHOFF, in the name of the freedmen, repeated the invitation which had already been given by note to a hundred persons, to a dinner in the Court-house. The band preceded, and ladies and gentlemen, the officers of the two regiments, and distinguished strangers, marched to the large hall and found two long tables, loaded down with all the varieties of food that this place affords, and a much finer display than we are accustomed to see at the best tables here. Considering the disadvantages of a military post, the thing was most handsomely done. The colored people looked very proud and happy, as they served their guests, and then, after rearranging the tables, took their places. They were thanked in the name of the company,

[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

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

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/4211165/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Department of the South: An Affair Near St. Augustine, Fla. – 2-3
Snow-Storm at Cairo – 3
The War in Virginia: Raid from Point Lookout by Gen. Marson – 3
Retaliation – 3
From the South: Military and Political Situation of the Rebellion – 4-6
News from Washington: Dispatches to the Associated Press – 6
Editorial: The Extremity of the Rebels – 6
Editorial: The Approaching Fairs – 6-7
Editorial: Restoration of the Union – 7

[ComputerGuy]

Probably my favorite place when I was a kid. I know my way around the old fort.