[92] Florida and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free.
The foolish order was annulled by President Lincoln, who was wise enough to rebuke the act. Another savage performance of Hunter's was the organization of a negro regiment, the first in the United States service. Hunter was properly declared an outlaw by the Confederate government, and it was decreed that if captured he should be held in close confinement for trial for crimes committed.
It soon became evident that the fall of Fort Pulaski did not involve the capture of Savannah by the enemy. The Confederate force in Georgia was strong enough to resist an advance by any force of Federals then in that quarter.
On April 16th a reconnoissance of Whitemarsh island was made by seven companies of the Eighth Michigan infantry, Col. W. M. Fenton, escorting the topographical engineer, Lieutenant Wilson. This force encountered several companies of the Thirteenth Georgia regiment, detachment meeting detachment, and some spirited skirmishing was the result. Captains Crawford and McCallay made a vigorous attack upon one party and pursued it, but the main body of the Michigan men in turn gave the Georgians a lively chase, until Colonel Douglass happened up with reinforcements and drove them back. The Thirteenth lost 4 killed and 15 wounded. Garland Upshaw, a young private, who was considered the best scout in the regiment, in assisting to carry a wounded comrade from the field had four bullet-holes made in his clothing. Private Pilkington, shot down as he was about to fire, handed his gun to the captain and requested him to discharge it at the enemy. Captain Crawford and men were nearly surrounded, but fought bravely until their ammunition was exhausted. The boys of the Thirteenth, less than 100 strong, had held at bay a much larger force of the enemy for nearly an hour, and the affair increased their experience and prepared them for
