“‘Sir,—It gives me pleasure to testify to the admirable conduct of the negro troops (First S. C. Volunteers) under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Beard, Forty-Eighth New York Volunteers, during this day’s operations. They behaved splendidly under the warm and galling fire we were exposed to in the two skirmishes with the enemy. I did not see a man flinch, contrary to my expectations.
“‘One of them, particularly, came under my notice, who, although badly wounded in the face, continued to load and fire in the coolest manner imaginable.
“‘Every one of them acted like veterans.
“‘Very respectfully,
“‘William Budd,
“‘Acting-Lieutenant Commanding Potomska.
“‘To the Rev. M. French, Chaplain, U.S.A.’
“On reaching his ship, Captain Budd led our retreat. It had been agreed, after full consultation on the subject, that, in our descent down the river it was best to burn the buildings of Captain Hopkins and Colonel Brailsford. Both of these places were strong picket-stations, particularly the latter. Brailsford had been down with a small force a few days before our arrival at St. Catharine’s, and shot one of our contrabands; wounded mortally, as was supposed, another, and carried off four women and three men. He had also whipped to death, three weeks before, a slave for attempting to make his escape. We had on board Sam Miller, a former slave, who had received over three hundred lashes for refusing to inform on a few of his fellows who had escaped.
“On passing among the men, as we were leaving the scenes of action, I inquired if they had grown any to-day? Many simultaneously exclaimed,—‘Oh, yes, Massa, we have grown three inches!’ Sam said,—‘I feel a heap more of a man!’
“With the lurid flames still lighting up all the region behind, and the bright rays of the smiling moon before them, they formed a circle on the lower deck, and around the hatchway leading to the hold, where were the women and children captured during the day, and on bended knees they offered up sincere and heartfelt thanksgivings to Almighty God for the mercies of the day. Such fervent prayers for the President, for the hearing of his Proclamation by all in bonds, and for the ending of the war and slavery, were seldom, if ever, heard before. About one hour was spent in singing and prayer. Those waters surely never echoed with such sounds before.