These reports rapidly swelled into the most enormous tales, and by the time they reached the New York newspapers, the expedition was "a great volcano about bursting, whose lava will burn, flow, and destroy," "the sudden appearance in arms of no less than five thousand negroes," "a liberating host," "not the phantom, but the reality, of servile insurrection." What the undertaking actually was may be best seen in the instructions which guided it.* * HEAD-QUARTERS, BEAUFORT, S.C., March 5, 1863.
COLONEL,--You will please proceed with your command, the First and Second Regiments South Carolina Volunteers, which are now embarked upon the steamers John Adams, Boston, and Burn-side, to Fernandina, Florida.
Relying upon your military skill and judgment.

I shall give you no special directions as to your procedure after you leave Fernandina.
I expect, however, that you will occupy Jacksonville, Florida, and intrench yourselves there.
The main objects of your expedition are to carry the proclamation of freedom to the enslaved; to call all loyal men into the service of the United States; to occupy as much of the State of Florida as possible with the forces under your command; and to neglect no means consistent with the usages of civilized warfare to weaken, harass, and annoy those who are in rebellion against the Government of the United States.
Trusting that the blessing of our Heavenly Father will rest upon your noble enterprise, I am yours, sincerely, R.SAXTON, Brig.-Gen., Mil.Gov.Dept.of the South.

Colonel Higginson, Comdg.
Expeditionary Corps.
In due time, after touching at Fernandina, we reached the difficult bar of the St.John's, and were piloted safely over.

Admiral Dupont had furnished a courteous letter of introduction.* and we were cordially received by Commander Duncan of the Norwich, and Lieutenant Watson, commanding the Uncas.

Like all officers on blockade duty, they were impatient of their enforced inaction, and gladly seized the opportunity for a different service.