By order of
Brevet Major General R. Saxton,
Gen. Supt. Rect. & O. C. P. D. S.
Stuart M. Taylor, Asst. Adjt. Gen.
Major M. R. Delany, U. S. C. T.
CHAPTER XXII.
AT CHARLESTON AND FORT SUMTER.
The excitement attending the scenes of the evacuation of the city and its occupation by the Union forces was scarcely lulled, when it rose again on the arrival of the “black major,” to whom the rumor preceding his advent had given the rank of Major General.
Arriving in the city on the Sabbath, when most of the people were gathered at the various places of worship, the news soon became noised about. And from the early forenoon until long after nightfall, a continuous stream of visitors poured in upon him, eager to pay their respects to him. These composed the colored residents of both sexes, representing every age and condition; nor did this cease when their curiosity became satisfied, but grew with their acquaintance and increased with time. At the time of his arrival the population of the once proud city was limited, consisting only of a few regiments of Union soldiers on duty, the former free people, the new freedmen,—a greater portion of the latter being driven from the plantations around the city, and from the upper portions of the state,—and a few white families representing the old element. An air of mournful desolation seemed to brood over the conquered city. There existed no signs of traffic, except in the sutlers’ stores of the regiments.