May 13, 1862 (Tuesday): Hunter Arms Liberated Slaves in S.C.

General David Hunter

Numbers 6. POPE'S PLANTATION, Saint Helena Island, May 13, 1862.

Major-General HUNTER,
Commanding Department of the South:
    GENERAL: It seems important to advise you of the scenes transpirng yesterday in the execution of your order for the collection and transportation of the able-bodied colored men form the islands to Hilton Head. The colored people became suspicious of the presence of the companies of soldiers detailed for the service, who were marching through the islands during the night. Some thought the rebels were coming and stood guard at the creeks. The next morning (yesterday) they went to the fields, some, however, seeking the woods. They were taken from fields without being allowed to go to their houses even to get a jacket, this, however, in some cases, being gone for by the wife. The inevitableness of the order made many resigned, but there was sadness in all. As those on this plantation were called in from the fields, the soldiers, under orders, and while on the steps of my headquarters, loaded their guns, so that the negroes might see what would take place in case they attempted to get away. This was done in the presence of the ladies here. Wives and children embraced the husband and father thus taken away, they knew not where, and whom, as they said, they should never see again. On some plantations the wailing and screaming were loud and the women threw themselves in despair on the ground. On some plantations the people took to the woods and were hunted up by the soldiers. The school at Eustis was a scene of confusion, the children crying, and it was found of no use to carry it on. The superintendents aided in the execution of the order with moral influence and physical assistance, some of them walking many miles in the night to guide the soldiers, but they all express great sorrow at what has been done and feel that the hold which they had been slowly and carefully getting on their people has been loosened. They told the negroes that General Hunter was their friend and meant well by them, and his orders must be obeyed, but they disavowed responsibility for the act.   
    The soldiers, it is due to them to say, concerning the summary manner in which they were called upon to act, and the speed required of them, conducted themselves with as little harshness as could
   Such was yesterday; and it was a sad day with these simple- hearted and family-loving people, and I doubt if the recruiting service in this country has ever been attended with such scenes before. I pray you for the kindest attentions (and I know you will give them) to those who have gone to Hilton Head, and for the immediate return of all who are not disposed to bear arms, in order that the suspense of those who have gone and of those who have remained may be relieved. I shall go to Hilton Head to- morrow (Wednesday) to visit them.
    Your obedient servant,


    EDWARD L. PIERCE,
   Special Agent Treasury Department.

Official Records, Series III., Vol. 2, Part 1, Page 57.

Hunter was on close terms with Lincoln and was invited to join him on the President's inaugural journey to Washington.  Wounded at Manassas he later replaced Fremont in Missouri and was in command of Kansas and the Department of the South (in which capacity he captured Fort Pulaski).  After Pulaski he unilaterally issued an order liberating all slaves in his department.  He ordered all freed slaves from 18-45 to be armed, and it was from this group the first African-American regiment (1st S.C.) was formed.  Lincoln nullified his order liberating the slaves on May 19, but Congress upheld his action in impressing the freed slaves into Union service.  Pierce, the Treasury Agent, had been sent to the Low Country to represent the interests of the freed slaves and to ensure the plantations continued to produce.