being paid nothing; and it is in vain that we read them the instructions
of the Secretary of War to General Saxton, promising them the full pay
of soldiers. They only half believe it.*

*With what utter humiliation were we, their officers, obliged to
confess to them, eighteen months afterwards, that it was their distrust
which was wise, and our faith in the pledges of the United States
Government which was foolishness!

Another drawback is that some of the white soldiers delight in
frightening the women on the plantations with doleful tales of plans for
putting us in the front rank in all battles, and such silly talk,--the
object being perhaps, to prevent our being employed on active service at
all. All these considerations they feel precisely as white men would,--no
less, no more; and it is the comparative freedom from such unfavorable
influences which makes the Florida men seem more bold and manly, as they
undoubtedly do. To-day General Saxton has returned from Fernandina with
seventy-six recruits, and the eagerness of the captains to secure them
was a sight to see. Yet they cannot deny that some of the very best men
in the regiment are South Carolinians.


December 3, 1862.--7 P.M.

What a life is this I lead! It is a dark, mild, drizzling evening, and
as the foggy air breeds sand-flies, so it calls out melodies and
strange antics from this mysterious race of grown-up children with
whom my lot is cast. All over the camp the lights glimmer in the
tents, and as I sit at my desk in the open doorway, there come mingled
sounds of stir and glee. Boys laugh and shout,--a feeble flute stirs