The Daily Dispatch: April 10, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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A Surprise to a "Colored Regiment."

--On the 29th ult., a Yankee gunboat, with a negro battalion on board, went up the St. John's river, Pls., to take possession of the town of Palatka. Capt Dickinson, with 110 Confederate cavalrymen, dismounted, was sent to hold the place. The Lake City Columbian says:

‘ Capt Dickinson upon reaching the ground, hurriedly prepared rifle-pits within one hundred yards of the wharf, so located as to conceal his men, and yet so arranged as to enable him to enflade the wharf from two directions. The gunboat, on making her appearance, moved up very cautiously.--After throwing shells in several directions, and no person appearing, she came to the wharf, made fast, and about one hundred men leaped upon the wharf with great glee. Capt. Dickinson, watching the foe as soon as the ebony crowd with their Lieutenant Colonel, had gained the wharf, gave the order, and a hundred and ten rifles threw their death dealing contents into the mass.

Then followed the sereasting of the darkies and a rush to the deck of the gunboat. Dead and wounded were hastily thrown upon the ck, and the boat pushed off and left without firing a gun. or forty were killed and wounded.

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