-commanded by Col. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, was the first
Black regiment of its character under the fire of the enemy. The
regiment covered itself with glory during an expedition upon the St.
John's River in Florida. The "Times" gave the following editorial
notice of the expedition at the time, based upon the official report
of the colonel and a letter from its special correspondent:

"THE NEGROES IN BATTLE.

"Colonel Higginson, of the 1st S. C. Volunteers, furnishes an
entertaining official report of the exploits of his black
regiment in Florida. He seems to think it necessary to put his
case strongly, and in rather exalted language, as well as in such
a way as to convince the public that negroes will fight. In this
expedition, his battalion was repeatedly under fire--had rebel
cavalry, infantry, and, says he, 'even artillery' arranged
against them, yet in every instance, came off with unblemished
honor and undisputed triumph. His men made the most urgent
appeals to him to be allowed to press the flying enemy. They
exhibited the most fiery energy beyond anything of which Colonel
Higginson ever read, unless it may be in the case of the French
Zouaves. He even says that 'it would have been madness to attempt
with the bravest white troops what he successfully accomplished
with black ones.' No wanton destruction was permitted, no
personal outrages desired, during the expedition. The regiment,
besides the victories which it achieved, and the large amount of
valuable property which it secured, obtained a cannon and a flag
which the Colonel very properly asks permission for the regiment
to retain. The officers and men desire to remain permanently in
Florida, and obtain supplies of lumber, iron, etc., for the
Government. The Colonel puts forth a very good suggestion, to the
effect that a 'chain of such posts would completely alter the
whole aspect of the war in the seaboard slave States, and would
accomplish what no accumulation of Northern regiments can so
easily effect.' This is the very use for negro soldiers suggested
in the Proclamation of the President. We have no doubt that the
whole State of Florida might easily be held for the Government in
this way, by a dozen negro regiments."[98]

On the 11th of February, 1863, the "Times" gave the following ac