EXPEDITION TO PORT ROYAL. DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. (from The Rebellion Record, A Diary of American Events and Documents)

The first missionary expedition to propagate industry, religion, and education among the contrabands at Hilton Head, as well as to encourage agriculture and like useful measures, sailed from New York City March third, 1862. It is composed of some sixty persons, about fifteen of whom are ladies. Mr. Edward L. Pierce, the Government agent, in charge of the plantations and contrabands at Port Royal, is to be the directing genius of this association; and from the experience he has already gained, the selection of that gentleman for the position is considered very judicious. (See Forbes for an observer at the beginning of the journey.) The duty of the men, who includepersons of about every trade and business, will be to take charge of the abandoned estates of the chivalry, and to direct the labors of the negroes, who are to be employed in such agricultural pursuits as the cultivation of cotton and the raising of necessary vegetables for the use of the army. The ladies go with the intention of establishing an industrial school, under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. French, of this city. Among the ladies we should mention the name of Mrs. Harlan, wife of the United States Senator from Iowa.

It will thus be seen that the persons composing the expedition do not come from one locality, but hail from Washington, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other places. Some go as volunteers, but the bulk