June 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
We publish this morning a letter from an intelligent planter to a friend, descriptive of what passed under his own eye, during the late raid on the Combahee River. The matter, as presented, is one demanding the serious and careful attention of all citizens of the State, no less than the Governor, and the military authorities of this Department. The picture drawn is startling, and although painted in plain, unvarnished terms, present facts of a very grave nature and import. Viewed from several points of view, they require a deliberate and unshrinking consideration. It shall receive it at our hands – let others do their duty.
Viewed as an example permitted to others, it is most pernicious, and may be destructive in its future effects.
As a question of food, it is of moment, threatening as it does the whole grainery of the State, which lies upon the coast – for the interior of the State has produced but little more than it consumes. Lay waste, or abandon the coast, and the whole rice crop – upon which crop our armies here subsist to a very great extent – is destroyed – all fodder is destroyed for the cavalry – and the next season will find the State, as well as the army here, pinched for mere subsistence. Transportation, too, will not relieve matters. Planters cannot jeopard their all, without some ostensible pretension towards protection.
Regarding the matter as touching international law, between ourselves and the Government of the United States, and as bearing upon the customs of war, the facts are such that they must be faced by our authorities, State and military. The course pursued by the enemy is subversive of every custom of war since the time of the Crusades, and is in violation of every law which governs the conduct of nations towards each other. As touching the laws of South Carolina, whether considered as mere slaves or as individuals domiciled here, every soul engaged in the late raid, whether white or black, has forfeited his life, either as an insurrectionist or a traitor to the State of South Carolina; and whether taken now or at any future time, the lives of these men are forfeit – and the forfeit must be paid to the last farthing, without consideration to individuals, to property, or to qualms of the stomach or of the pocket. No prisoners should be taken at all. There is a time for all things: – a time to make money, and a time to spend it – a time, for sentiment, and a time for sternness. The time for the exercise of the latter sentiment has come – the time for the former folly has passed. The security of our homes and the integrity of our institutions are at stake. The violation of the laws and customs of all civilized nations is gross, palpable and indisputable. And great is the crime of foreign officers, who, in violation of all of our internal laws, seek to uproot our whole social system in anarchy – not by means of their armies or of subjugation in fair warfare, but by the foulest tools – lawlessness of the assassin and the thief. Let the adder be crushed in its incipiency, be the immediate results what they may.
Regarding the matter from a military point of view, the facts are such that they require explanation. It is stated that two steamers ran up the Combahee River in broad daylight in the morning, and come to anchor at the several landings on the river belonging to the adjoining plantations. Nothing goes to show that the steamers were even armed with a single cannon, and all the houses and settlements were on the highland, from one to two miles from the river. There they remained, undisturbed, for six mortal hours, while small bands of negros, with one or two white men heading each, wander about and lay waste and destroy the surrounding plantations with fire and pillage. During all this time forces, said to be more than ample not only for the protection of the whole band of outlaws, fail even to interrupt this pleasant pastime of the enemy. Not an outlaw is captured or killed, and not a negro or a house saved on our part. And this has happened in a country affording, in the very highest degree, every facility for an easy defence. If all the facts stated – and they are stated on very unexceptionable authority – be true, the whole thing is most disgraceful.
The matter calls for a vigorous and a rigorous investigation. It is understood that such investigation is now being made.
The conduct of affairs at Bluffton seems to redeem the reputation of the division but little.