Latest update:19 August 2024- gmc
"Watch Night" is a important tradition in Gullah culture. The Watch Night service commemorates the date of January 1, 1863 when enslaved people in the Lowcountry, the Sea Islands and throughout the United States emerged from bondage as a result of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Everyone gathered
together then to mark this very important event in our nation's, and our own
local history. Some local churches still observe the tradition though the actual activities usually depend on the customary practices of the individual congregations. Most will involve music, a liturgy, and prayers. As midnight nears, the elders will indicate that it is time to pray and welcome the new year.
Below are some eyewitness accounts of the first "Day of
Jubilee," January 1st 1863, as it transpired at Camp Saxton on Smith's Plantation (aka
"Old Fort Plantation"or "
Fort Frederick" on the current Naval Hospital grounds in Port Royal]. Camp Saxton was the location of an elaborate and historic ceremony on New Year's Day 1863 to formally announce and celebrate the issuance of the Emancipation which freed all slaves in states then "in rebellion" against the United States. It is now one of the sites in the Reconstruction Era National Monument.
The National Parks Service described the event this way:
"General [Rufus] Saxton himself had
attended church services at the Brick Church in the fall of 1862 to
recruit troops and to invite everyone, African American and white, "to
come to the camp...on New Year's Day, and join in the grand
celebration." This Emancipation Proclamation celebration was particularly
significant because it occurred in Union-occupied territory in the
South where the provisions of the Proclamation would actually take
effect before the end of the war.
Over five thousand people, including freed men, women, and children,
Union military officials, guest speakers, and missionary teachers,
gathered around the speakers' platform built in a grove of live oaks
near the Smith plantation house.One of the majestic witness trees has
become known as the Emancipation Oak.Of all the prayers, hymns, and
speeches during the three-hour ceremony, one of the most moving was the
spontaneous singing of "My country, tis of thee; Sweet land of liberty"
when the American flag was presented to Higginson. As part of the
celebration, the military had prepared a feast of roasted oxen for all
to enjoy.
Susie King Taylor, a former slave woman,
was a laundress, volunteer nurse, and teacher who is most often
associated with the Union's 1st South Carolina Volunteers:
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| Susie King Taylor |
On
the first of January, 1863, we held services for the purpose of
listening to the reading of President Lincoln's proclamation by Dr. W.
H. Brisbane, and the presentation of two beautiful stands of colors, one
from a lady in Connecticut, and the other from Rev. Mr. Cheever. The
presentation speech was made by Chaplain French. It was a glorious day
for us all, and we enjoyed every minute of it, and as a fitting close
and the crowning event of this occasion we had a grand barbecue. A
number of oxen were roasted whole, and we had a fine feast. Although
not served as tastily or correctly as it would have been at home, yet it
was enjoyed with keen appetites and relish. The soldiers had a good
time. They sang or shouted "Hurrah!" all through the camp, and seemed
overflowing with fun and frolic until taps were sounded, when many, no
doubt, dreamt of this memorable day."
Source: A Black Woman's Civil War Memoirs, edited by Patricia W. Romero and Willie Lee Rose, Markus Weiner Publishing, 1988, pp. 49 - 50.
Note: You can read the electronic version of this memoir within the "Documenting the
American South" digital library hosted by the University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill.
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| Charlotte Forten |
Charlotte Forten, a young black woman from a prominent Free Black family of Philadelphia who came to teach the freedmen:
Thursday, New Year's Day, 1863.
The most glorious day this nation has yet seen, I think. I rose early
-- an event here -- and early we started, with an old borrowed carriage
and a remarkably slow horse. Whither were we going? thou wilt ask,
dearest A. To the ferry; thence to Camp Saxton, to the celebration.
From the ferry to the camp the "Flora" took us. How pleasant it was on
board! A crowd of people, whites and blacks, and a band of music -- to
the great delight of the negroes. Met on board Dr. [Solomon] and Mrs.
Peck and their daughters, who greeted me most kindly. Also Gen.
S.[axton]'s father whom I like much, and several other acquaintances
whom I was glad to see. We stopped at Beaufort, and then proceeded to
Camp Saxton, the camp of the 1st Reg.[iment] S.[outh] C.[arolina]
Vol[unteer]s. The "Flora" c'ld not get up to the landing, so we were
rowed ashore in a row boat.... Walking on a little distance I found
myself being presented to Col. Higginson, whereat I was so much
overwhelmed, that I had no reply to make to the very kind and courteous
little speech with which he met me....I cannot give a regular
chronicle of the day. It is impossible. I was in such a state of
excitement. It all seemed, and seems still, like a brilliant dream....
The meeting was held in a beautiful grove, a live-oak grove, adjoining
the camp....As I sat on the stand and looked around on the various
groups, I thought I had never seen a sight so beautiful. There were the
black soldiers, in their blue coats and scarlet pants, the officers of
this and other regiments in their handsome uniforms, and crowds of
lookers-on, men, women and children, grouped in various attitudes, under
the trees. The faces of all wore a happy, eager, expectant look. The
exercises commenced by a prayer from Rev. Mr. [James H.] Fowler,
Chaplain of the Reg. An ode written for the occasion by Prof. [John]
Zachos, originally a Greek, no Sup.[intendent] of Paris Island, was read
by himself, and then sung by the whites. Col. H.[igginson] introduced
Dr. [William] Brisbane in a few elegant and graceful words. He (Dr.
B[risbane]) read the President's Proclamation, which was warmly
cheered. Then the beautiful flags presented to Col. H.[igginson] for
the Reg. in an excellent and enthusiastic speech, by Rev. Mr.
[Mansfield] French. Immediately at the conclusion, some of the colored
people -- of their own accord sang "My Country Tis of Thee." It was a
touching and beautiful incident, and Col. Higginson, in accepting the
flags made it the occasion of some happy remarks. He said that that
tribute was far more effecting than any speech he c'ld make. He spoke
for some time, and all that he said was grand, glorious... After he had
done speaking he delivered the flags to the colorbearers with a few very
impressive remarks to them. They each then, Prince Rivers, and Robert
Sutton [both who were non-commissioned officers of the 1st SC Vol] made
very good speeches indeed, and were loudly cheered. Gen. Saxton and
Mrs. Gage spoke very well. The good Gen. was received with great
enthusiasm, and throughout the morning -- every little while it seemed
to me three cheers were given for him. A Hymn written I believe, by Mr.
Judd, was sung, and then all the people united with the Reg. in singing
"John Brown." It was grand. During the exercises, it was announced
that [John C.] Fremont was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and
this was received with enthusiastic and prolonged cheering. But as it
was picket news, I greatly fear that it is not true. [Note: It was indeed a false rumor!]
We
dined with good Dr. R.[ogers] at the Col.'s table, though, greatly to
my regret he, (the Col.) was not there. He partook of some of the oxen,
(of which ten had been roasted) with his men. I like his doing that.
We had quite a sumptuous dinner. Our party consisted of Dr. [Seth]
R.[ogers], Adjutant [G.W.] D.[ewhurst], Capt. [James] R.[ogers], Mr. and
Miss Ware (Mrs. Win[d]sor's brother and sister[,] Mr. [William?] Hall,
their cousin, whom I like much, and Mr. [John] and Miss [Elizabeth]
H.[unn] and me. We had a merry, delightful dinner. The only part that I
did not enjoy was being obliged to read Whittier's "Hymn" aloud at the
table....So of course, it was murdered.... Col. H.[igginson] invited us
into his tent -- a very nice, almost homelike one. I noticed a nice secretary, with writing utensils and "Les Miserables" on it. A wreath
of beautiful oranges hung against the wall, fronting the door. I wanted
to have a good look at this tent; but we were hardly seated when the
Dr. and the Col. were called away for a moment, and Lieut. Col.
[Liberty] Billings coming in w'ld insist upon our going into his tent.
... His tent was very comfortable too, and I noticed quite a large piece
of "Secesh" furniture, something between a secretary and a bureau, and
quite a collection of photographs and daguerres. But I did not examine
them, for my attention was occupied by Col. H.[igginson] to whom I
showed Whittier's poem, letter and photo.... Col. H.[igginson] asked me
to go out and hear the band play, which I very gladly did. But it
stopped just as we stepped outside the tent. Just then one of the
soldiers came up to the Col. and said "Do Cunnel, do ask 'em to play
Dixie, just for me, for my lone self." The Col. made the request, but
the leader of the band said he feared they w'ld not be able to play the
whole thing as they had not the necessary pieces. "Nebber mind," said
the man[,] "jus' half a tune will do." It was found impossible to play
even that but the leader promised that the next time they came they
would be fully prepared to play Dixie for him. The Dress Parade -- the
first I have ever seen -- delighted me. It was a brilliant sight -- the
long line of me in their brilliant uniforms, with bayonets gleaming in
the sunlight. The Col. looked splendid. The Dr. said the men went
through the drill remarkably well. It seemed to me nothing c'ld be more
perfect. To me it was a grand triumph--that black regiment doing
itself honor in the sight of the white officers, many of whom, doubtless
"came to scoff." It was typical of what the race, so long down-trodden
and degraded will yet achieve on this continent. After the parade, we
went to the landing, intending to take a boat for Beaufort. But the
boat was too crowded, and we decided to wait for another. It was the
softest, loveliest moonlight. We sat down among the ruins of the old
fort. [Note: Fort Frederick]. Just as soon as the boat had
reached a favorable distance from the shore that band in it commenced
playing "Home, Sweet Home." It was exquisitely beautiful. The lovely
moonlight on the water, the perfect stillness around seemed to give new
beauty to that every beautiful old song....Whither came Col.
H.[igginson] and Dr. R.[ogers]. We sat around the nice fire -- the chimney
and fire place, ... We had a pleasant chat, sitting there in the
firelight, and I was most unwilling to go, for besides the happiness of
being in the society of the Col. and the Dr. we wanted dreadfully to see
the "shout" and grand jubilee which the solders were going have that
night. But it was already late, and hearing that the "Flora" was coming
we had to hasten to the landing....Ah, what a grand, glorious day this
has been. The dawn of freedom which it heralds may not break upon us at
once; but it will surely come, and sooner, I believe [,] than we ever
dared hope before. My soul is glad with an exceeding gladness. But
before I close, dear A. I must bring our little party safe home to
Oaklands. We had a good time on the Flora. L.[Lizzie] and I promenaded
the deck, and sang "John Brown," and "Whittier's Hymn: and "My Country
Tis of Thee," and the moon shone bright above us, and the waves beneath,
smooth and clear, glistened in the soft moonlight.
Source: Journals of Charlotte Forten Grimke, edited by Brenda Stevenson, Oxford University Press, 1988, pp. 428- 435.
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| Courtesy Library of Congress |
Harriet Ware, a Northern white teacher to the freedmen, wrote a letter home about the day's events:
Jan.
1, 1863. We started [from R.'s] at ten o'clock with four oarsmen,
under a cloudless sky, which remained undimmed through the day. The men
sang and we sang, as we wound our way through the marshbound creek,
reaching the Smith Plantation [current Naval Hospital grounds] just as
the Flora was landing her first load from the Ferry. We followed
the crowd up to the grove of live-oaks with their moss trimmings, which
did not look so dreary under a winter's sun, but very summer-like and
beautiful. The regiment, which had been drawn up at the wharf to
receive the guests from Beaufort, escorted them to the platform in the
middle of the grove, where we found it -- the regiment -- in a circle
round the stand, where they remained quiet and orderly as possible
through the whole proceedings, which lasted about three hours. Guest,
white and colored, were admitted within the line, and as ladies we were
shown seats on the platform. The general arrived in his carriage with
the Mission House ladies.
It
is simply impossible to give you any adequate idea of the next three
hours. Picture the scene to yourself if you can, -- I will tell you all
the facts, -- but if I could transcribe every word that was uttered,
still nothing could convey to you any conception of the solemnity and
interest of the occasion. Mr. Judd, General Superintendent of the
Island, was master of ceremonies, and first introduced Mr. Fowler, the
Chaplain, who made a prayer, -- then he announced that the President's
Proclamation would be read, and General Saxton's also, by a gentleman
who would be introduced by Colonel Higginson. And he rose amid perfect
silence, his clear rich voice falling most deliciously on the ear as he
began to speak. He said that the Proclamation would be read "by a South
Carolinian to South Carolinians" -- a man who many years before had
carried the same glad tidings to his own slaves now brought them to
them, and with a few most pertinent words introduced Dr. Brisbane, one
of the tax-commissioners here now, who read both proclamations extremely
well. They cheered most heartily at the President's name, and at the
close gave nine with a will for General "Saxby," as they call him. Mr.
Zachos then read an ode he had written for the occasion, which was sung
by the white people (printed copies being distributed, he did not line
it as is the fashion in these parts) -- to "Scots wha hae." I forgot to
mention that there was a band on the platform which discoursed
excellent music from time to time. At this stage of the proceedings Mr.
French rose and, in a short address, presented to Colonel Higginson
from friends in New York a beautiful silk flag, on which was embroidered
the name of the regiment and "The Year of Jubilee has come!"
Just
as Colonel Higginson had taken the flag and was opening his lips to
answer (his face while Mr. French was speaking was a beautiful sight), a
single woman's voice below us near the corner of the platform began
singing "My Country, 'tis of thee." It was very sweet and low --
gradually other voices about her joined in and it began to spread up to
the platform, till Colonel Higginson turned and said, "Leave it to
them," when the negroes sang it to the end. He stood with the flag in
one hand looking down at them, and when the song ceased, his own words
flowed as musically, saying that he could give no answer so appropriate
and touching as had just been made. In all the singing he had heard
from them, that song he had never heard before -- they never could have
truly sung "my country" till that day. He talked in the most charming
manner for over half an hour, keeping every one's attention, the
negroes' upturned faces as interested as any, if not quite as
comprehending. Then he called Sergeant Rivers and delivered the flag to
his keeping, with the most solemn words, telling him that his life was
chanined to it and he must die to defend it. Prince Rivers looked him
in the eye while he spoke, and when he ended with a "Do you understand?"
which must have thrilled through every one, answered most earnestly,
"Yas, Sar." The Colonel then, with the same solemnity, gave into the
charge of Corporal Robert Sutton a bunting flag of the same size; then
stepping back stodd with folded arms and bare head while the two men
spoke in turn to their countrymen. Rivers is a very smart fellow, has
been North and is heart and soul in the regiment and against the
"Seceshky." He spoke well; but Sutton with his plain common sense and
simpler language spoke better. He made telling points; told them there
was not one in that crowd but had sister, brother, or some relation
among the rebels still; that all was not done because they were so
happily off, that they should not be content till all their people were
as well off, if they died in helping them; and when he ended with an
appeal to them to above all follow after their Great Captain, Jesus, who
never was defeated, there were many moist eyes in the crowd.
General
Saxton then said a few words, regretting that his flag had not arrived
as he intended, and introduced Mrs. Gage, who spoke to them of her visit
to St. Croix and how the negroes on that island had freed themselves,
and telling them that her own sons were in the army; she might any day
hear of their death, but that she was willing they should die in the
cause and she hoped they were ready to die too. Quartermaster Bingham
led the regiment in singing "Marching Along." Mr. Judd had written a
hymn which he and a few friends sang. Judge Stickney spoke. The whole
regiment then sang "John Brown," and was dismissed in a few words from
the Colonel to the tables for the twelve roasted oxen, hard bread, and
molasses and water, except one company and certain corporals whom he
mentioned, who came to the foot of the steps to escort the colors.
Lieutenant
Duhurst was waiting to escort us to dinner at his mess-table. We
walked into the old fort [For Frederick], part of the walls of which are
still standing, made of oyster-shells and cement, very hard still. It
was built, say the authorities, in 1562, half a century before the
Pilgrims landed. [Fort Frederick was built by the English circa 1720.]
Miss
Forten had a letter from Whittier enclosing a song he had written for
the Jubilee and which they have been teaching the children to sing at
church next Sunday.
After
dinner we went up to the camp, and a very nice-looking place it was.
The tents only hold five, so that there were a great many of them,
making the camp look very large. The officers' tents are in a row
opposite the ends of the streets, but with only a narrow street
between. The Adjutant took us into his, which is a double one with two
apartments like the Colonel's, as his wife is coming out to live there
and teach the first sergeants to read, write, and keep their accounts.
As dress-parade was to come off at once, we stayed to see that. Only
the commissioned officers were white; the uniform of the privates is the
same as any others, except that the pantaloons are red, faces and hands
black! The parade was excellent, -- they went through the manual,
including, "load in nine times." There were eighteen men absent without
leave, a circumstance not to be wondered at, as they had kept no guard
all day, and a negro thinks to go and see his family the height of
happiness. Colonel Higginson said, "Think of a camp where there is no
swearing, drinking, or card-playing among the men, -- where the
evenings are spent praying and singing psalms, and it is the first sound
you hear in the morning!" He is a strong anti-tobacconist, but he lets
the men have all they can get, and helps them get it.
We
started just after sunset, and at the same time with the band, who were
rowed up to Beaufort as we went across the river. They played "Sweet
Home," and the music sounded delightfully, but made Mr. Williams
exclaim, "Now that's too bad, when a fellow is going to an old South
Carolina whitewashed house, with a broken table and chair in it!"
Nevertheless, he was very merry, and we had a fine row. The sunset was
perfectly clear, the sky retained its brightness for a long time, and
the moon was so bright that it did not grow dark. Our delay made us
against tide for the second hour, so the negroes turned out of the main
creek into the narrow creeks among the grass, which at high tide are
deep enough, though very narrow. Our oars were often in the "mash" on
one side, but the men knew their way and brought us safely thought.
They grew very much excited as they rowed and sung, shouting with all
their might, and singing song after song the whole way home. They
singing while they row always sounds differently from [that] at any
other time to me, though they always sing the same, religious songs.
Source: Letters from Port Royal: Written at the time of the Civil War, edited by Elizabeth Ware Pearson, W. B. Clarke Company, 1906, pp. 128 - 135.
Thomas
D. Howard, originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, was a
teacher/missionary on Hilton Head Island. He arranged transportation
for some of the freedmen and Northerners on the island to attend the
festivities at Smith's Plantation. His recollection was written down in
1910 for his nieces and nephews.
January
1, 1863 Freedom. The place selected for the celebration was the Smith
plantation on the broad and deep Beaufort River and on its right bank
four miles below Beaufort....This plantation was ideal for the
occasion. The house faced the water and before it was an extensive lawn
shaded by immense live oaks, from which abundant streamers of hanging
moss was suspended. Our boat lay at anchor, and others on the beach,
and the interesting exercises preceded the barbecue. Early in the
afternoon the assembly broke up in order that those from a distance
should reach home before dark.
If
this joyful occasion may be termed sublime in its significance, I will
make a dissent suggested by the name of the superintendent in charge, --
Mr. Hyde. Mr. H. was a sanctimonious religionist of the strictest
Presbyterian school, and a much older man than the average of the
superintendents. In common honesty he was, as will be seen,
conspicuously lacking.
It
had been arranged to furnish negroes on plantations with certain staple
articles at cost, bought at wholesale and brought down on govt.
transports free. Among these articles was Molasses, delivered in
barrels on the plantation to be sold at prices fixed at Headquarters.
From
the Smith Plantation complaints were brought in that more than the
right price was being paid. Mr. Hyde was reprimanded. Soon after came
in another complaint that the molasses was very thin. On this Mr. Hyde
was dismissed, with, of course, a free passage to New York.
Not
long after Mr. H. reported to me as a missionary on Hilton Head Island
presenting a certificate signed by Mr. M. French. Of Mr. French I will
only say that he seems to have been a missionary sent down by some
society, with no connection with the work of which Gen. Saxton was the
head, nor with me, and that with his rotund form, oily address, and
assumption of authority his daguerrotype would furnish a good
illustration for one of Dickens's [sic] Peeksniffs.
I
knew something of the transaction at the Smith Plantation, but desired
written information, and so wrote to Capt. Harper asking what I should
don in the matter. He replied at once that Mr. Hyde's appointment as
superintendent having been withdrawn, he had no footing in the
Department and it would be best for him to leave for New York by the
first opportunity, -- which he did. It is only fair to say that this
was the only like case that came to my knowledge.
Source: Charles Howard Family Domestic history by
Thomas D. Howard, Sophia W. Howard and Sally B. Hayward, edited by
Elizabeth H. Andrews, Cambridge, [MA], 1956, unpublished typescript.
 |
| Esther Hill Hawks |
Esther
Hill Hawks, wife of the surgeon to the 1st South Carolina Volunteers,
came to Beaufort as a a teacher to the freedmen. However, she was
trained as one of the first female physicians and assisted her husband
during some medical procedures - and even ran the hospital for the black
soldiers in his absence. She wrote:
Soon after
their return [from their expedition] Col. Higginson took command of the
Regiment and commenced a thorough and systematic coarse [sic] of
Military discipline. The regiment is stationed four miles down the
river from Beaufort on the Smith Plantation and have christened their
Hd. Qts. as Camp Saxton. Col. H. [Higginson] arrived here about the
middle of Nov. Preparations were already going forward for the
celebration of the 1st of Jan. in antitipcation of the Presidents
confirming his emancipation proclamation. In the regiment, Chaplin
Fowler, is at work for that end, and Mr. French is stimulating the freed
people of Beaufort and the adjacent Isles, to participate in it. -- The
colored people have had their confidence so often abused, that many of
them are timid and suspicious. They do not understand the object of the
meeting -- and the white soldiers, in many instances encourage this
feeling by telling them that Gen. Saxton is going to get them all
together and then deliver them up to their old masters! so that, when
the day arrived -- some of the Superintendants found that their people
had absented themselves, and were nowhere to be found. -- This prevented
there being so large a company of colored people present as there might
otherways have been. Still the day, Jan 1st 1863, was a day long to be
remembered, bright and beautiful; and a very large concourse of people,
officers, teachers -- and citizens were early gathered in the beautiful
grove, near Camp Saxton, where the ceremeonies of the occasion were to
take place. The order of exercises consisted of speaches [sic] from
Gen. Saxton, Col. Higginson Rev. Mr. French Chaplin Fowler, Mrs. Frances
D. Gage, and a poem read by Prof. Zachos, written for the occasion a
quartette, sung several songs, written by Jr. Judd, Sup.
[Superintendent] of the colored people. Then a beautiful stand of
colors was presented to the Regt. from the members of Dr. Cheever's
church of N.Y. through Mr. French. Several of the colored soldiers made
short speaches, [sic] and then, Col. H. [Higginson] invited the crowd
to partake of the feast of roast beef - bakers bread and molasses and plenty of lemonaid prepared for them on some tables near the camp. A bar-becue
I think he called it. Ten beeves had been cooked whole, -- or nearly
so. This is done by digging a deep pit, and burning oak wood in it till
a great bed of coals results, then suspending the animal over it to
cook with frequent bastings and turnings. I think, by the quantity of raw beef I saw leaving the grounds, in women's aprons the cooking
was rather a failure! No provision was made for feeding white folks,
so at the close of the exercises we rode wearily home, fortifying
ourselves as we often needed to, with the reflection that if the
occasion had been earlier tedious it would be pleasant to remember, in
the future that we were present at the first celebration of the
indipendence [sic] of the freedmen in South Carolina. May it never be less!!
Source: A Woman Doctor's Civil War: "Esther Hill Hawks' Diary, edited by Gerald Schwartz, University of South Carolina Press, 1984, pp. 41-42.
Laura Towne, a Northern white missionary teacher who arrived on St. Helena
Island in April 1862 and dedicated the rest of her life to Penn School,
wrote in her diary about January 1, 1863:
We rejoiced at midnight with great pride and joy to think that our country is at last free.
We
were late in the morning, and when we reached the ferry saw the Flora
depart without us. Sergeant Arthur took us across in his boat, and we
waited at the General's house until the Flora's second trip. It was a
thousand pities, for when we reached Camp Saxton at Smith's Plantation,
we arrived through the dense crowd at the foot of the platform only in
time to see Colonel Higginson standing between his two color-bearers,
Robert Sutton and Prince Rivers, looking small -- tall and large man as
he is -- compared with them; but we missed Colonel Higginson's speech,
which was stirring and eloquent.
In
one of the pauses of the exercises, just after the regiment received
its colors, I believe,
the soldiers and people spontaneously broke out
with "My Country, 't is of thee," and Colonel Higginson made happy use
of this incident. Mrs. Gage and others had spoken; Mr. Zachos' poem had
been read, Mr. Judd's also.
We
sang the John Brown son with the people, were then asked up to the
platform with the other ladies, and all was over. There was a grand
barbecue, and we went to see the oxen, each standing roasted whole in
its pit. As we went to reembark, Captain Saxton made his horse rear and
bow to the ladies several times. At last he grew restive and would
have thrown Captain S. if Mr. Fairfield had not sprung to the rescue.
At
the General's again we dined, I sitting at his right hand, he taking me
in to dinner. The staff, Mrs. Gage, Miss Thompson, and our party were
the guests. Dinner over, was sat up in the General's parlor and talked,
I with Mrs. Gage, the General and Captains amusing themselves decking
out Nelly and Tilly with scarfs and swords. I observed that the General
gave his yellow scarf to Tilly, his red one to Nelly, thus letting Miss
Thompson rank Nelly. They retained these scarfs all the evening.
I
wore my blue silk dress and it looked well, but not so pretty as Miss
Louise Kellogg's, who came with other guests to the dance. This was
opened by the General and myself in a cotillion -- neither of us dancing
the Lancers. I found I had not forgotten, and I enjoyed it
exceedingly.
Source: Letters and Diary of Laura M. Towne Written from the Sea Islands of South Carolina, 1862-1884, edited by Rupert Sargent Holland, Negro Universities Press, 1912, rep. 1969, pp. 98 - 99.
 |
Thomas Higginson
Courtesy Library of Congress |
Thomas Higginson of Cambridge, Massachusetts was an
ardent abolitionist, a member of the "Secret Six" who financially
supported John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry, a minister, and a
published author. He was colonel of the First South Carolina
Volunteers, (later called the USCT 33rd), from Nov. 23, 1862 until his
resignation in May 1864:
January 1. A
happy new year to civilized people - mere white folks. Our festival has
come & gone with perfect success, and our good Gen. Saxton has been
altogether satisfied. Last night the great fires were kept smouldering
in the pits & the beeves were cooked more or less, chiefly more; it
does not really take more than 4 hours, during which time they are
stretched on great stakes made of small trees, and turned by main force
at intervals. Even the night before I carried a small piece to supper
in my fingers, from the first cooked, & there is really nothing
disagreeable the looks of the thing, beyond the scale on which it is
done.
About ten these
people began collecting, steamboats from up & down river, sent by
Gen. Saxton to convey them, & from that time forth the road was
crowded with riders & walkers -- chiefly black women with gay
handkerchiefs on their heads & a sprinkling of men. Many white
persons also, superintendents & teachers -- two of the Wares &
Edward Hall, a young minister whom Dr. Rogers admires. Edward Hooper in
Captain's uniform & Dr. Rogers' pretty little Quadroon friend,
Charlotte Forten, who is here as a teacher. But most of these
superintendents do not interest me much & seem rather secondrate
& inefficient.
My
companies were marched to the neighborhood of the platform &
collected sitting or standing, as they are at Sunday meeting; the band
of the 8th Me regiment was here & they & the white ladies &
dignitaries usurped the platform -- the colored people from abroad
filled up all the gaps, & a cordon of officers & cavalry
visitors surrounded the circle. Overhead, the great live oak trees
& their trailing moss & beyond, a glimpse of the blue river.
The
services begun at 11 1/2 -- prayer by our chaplain -- President's
proclamation read by Dr. W. H. Brisbane, a thing infinitely appropriate,
a South Carolinian addressing South Carolinians -- he was reared on
this very soil, and emancipated his own slaves here, years ago. Then
the colors were presented to me by Rev Mr French, who received them in
N.Y. for us, unknown to us & had that fact very conspicuously
engraved on the standard -- a fact which saves the need of saying
anything more about the Revd Mr French. But whatever bad taste was left
in the mouth by his remarks was quickly banished. There followed an
incident so simple, so touching, so utterly unexpected & startling
that I can scarely believe it when I recall it, though it gave the key
note to the whole day. The very moment Mr French had ceased speaking
& just as I took & waved the flag, which now for the first time
meant anything to these poor people, there suddenly arose, close beside
the platform, a strong but rather cracked & elderly male voice, into
which two women's voices immediately blended, singing as if by an
impluse that can no more be quenched than the morning note of the song
sparrow -- the hymn "My country 'tis of thee Sweet land of Liberty[."]
People looked at each other & then at the stage to see whence came
this interruption, not down in the bills firmly & irrepressibly the
quavering voices sang on, verse after verse; others around them joined;
some on the platform sung, but I motioned them to silence. I never saw
anything so electric; it made all other words cheap, it seemed the
choked voice of a race, at last unloosed; nothing could be more
wonderfully unconscious; art could not have dreamed of a tribute to the
day of jubilee that should be so affecting; history will not believe it;
& when I came to speak of it, after it was silent, tears were
everywhere. If you could have heard how quaint & innocent it was!
Old Tiff & his children might have sung it; & close before me
was a little slave boy, almost white, who seemed to belong to the party,
& even he must join in. Just think of it; the first day they had
ever had a country, the first flag they had ever seen which promised
anything to their people, -- & here while others stood in silence,
waiting for my stupid words these simple souls burst out in their lay,
as if they were squatting by their own hearths at home. When they
stopped there was nothing to do for it but to speak, & I went on;
but the life of the whole day was in those unknown people's song.
I
spoke, receiving the flags & then gave them into the hands of two
noble looking black me, as color guard, & they also spoke, very
effectively, Prince Rivers & Robert Sutton. The regiment sang
Marching along & Gen. Saxton spoke in his own simple & manly
way, & then Mrs. F D Gage spoke to the women very sensibly & a a
Judge somebody from Florida & then some gentlemen sang an ode &
the regiment the John Brown song & then they seemed to have a very
gay time; most of the visitors dispersed before dress parade, though the
band staid [sic] to enliven us. In the evening we had letters & so
ended one of the most enthusiastic & happy gatherings I ever saw.
The day perfect & nothing but success. Now I must stop --
P.S.
I forgot to say that in the midst of the services it was announced that
Gen. Fremont was appointed Commander in Chief & it was received
with immense enthusiasm. It was shouted across by the pickets above -- a
way we often get news.
Source: The Complete Civil War Journal and Selected Letters of Thomas Wentworth Higginson, edited by Christopher Looby, University of Chicago Press, 2000, pp. 75 - 78.
Read a more recently re-discovered detailed observation of Emancipation Day festivities 1863 by Northerner Harriet Foote Hawley, wife of Union General Joseph H. Hawley.
