General Hunter drove us out to the camp of the black
regiment, which he reviewed. After our return I saw Mr. McKim and Lucy off, the
steamer being crowded with the wounded and sick from the battle of Edisto. Then
Mr. French advised my returning to General Hunter's. Mrs. H. had asked me to
stay all night, but I had declined. Now, however, it was too late to go back to
Beaufort in the little steamer and there was no other chance but a sail-boat,
so after waiting and hesitating a long time, I consented to the intrusion, and
Mr. French escorted me back again, explaining to General and Mrs. Hunter my
predicament. They were cordial in their invitation, and I had a long talk with
them about plantation matters, sitting on their piazza, the sentry marching to
and fro and members of the staff occasionally favoring us with their company.
The regiment is General Hunter's great pride. They looked
splendidly, and the great mass of blackness, animated with a soul and armed so
keenly, was very impressive. They did credit to their commander.
As we drove into the camp I pointed out a heap of rotting
cotton-seed. “That will cause sickness,” I said. “I ordered it removed,” he said,
very quickly, “and why hasn't it been done?” He spoke to the surgeon about it
as soon as we reached Drayton's house, which is just beside the camp. The men
seemed to welcome General Hunter and to be fond of him. The camp was in
beautiful order.
SOURCE: Rupert Sargent Holland, Editor, Letters and
Diary of Laura M. Towne: Written from the Sea Islands of South Carolina
1862-1864, p. 70-1
