tive and systematic intellect. Not yet
grounded even in the spelling-book, his modes of thought were
nevertheless strong, lucid, and accurate; and he yearned and pined for
intellectual companionship beyond all ignorant men whom I have ever
met. I believe that he would have talked all day and all night, for
days together, to any officer who could instruct him, until his
companion, at least, fell asleep exhausted. His comprehension of the
whole problem of slavery was more thorough and far-reaching than that
of any Abolitionist, so far as its social and military aspects went;
in that direction I could teach him nothing, and he taught me much.
But it was his methods of thought which always impressed me chiefly;
superficial brilliancy he left to others, and grasped at the solid
truth." (_Army Life in a Black Regiment_, p. 62.)]

[Footnote 92: Mr. Philbrick describes the feast: "I walked about for a
half hour watching the carving, which was done mostly with _axes_, and
the eager pressing of the hungry crowds about the rough board tables,
by which each ox was surrounded. The meat didn't look very inviting."]

[Footnote 93: Miss Forten was of partly negro blood. H. W. says of her
elsewhere: "She has one of the sweetest voices I ever heard. The
negroes all knew the instant they saw her what she was, but she has
been treated by them with universal respect. She is an educated
lady."]

[Footnote 94: When General Hunter, bent on raising his negro troops,
asked the Secretary of War for 50,000 muskets, "with authority to arm
such loyal men as I find in the country, whenever, in my opinion, they
can be used advantageously against the enemy," he added: "It is
important that I should be able to know and distinguish these men at
once, and for this purpose I respectfully request that 50,000 pairs of
scarlet pantaloons may be sent me; and this is all the clothing I
shall require for these people." (Hunter to Stanton, April 3, 1862.)
Of the privates of the First S. C. V., when clothed in these trousers,
Colonel Higginson writes: "Their coloring suited me, all but the legs,
which were clad in a lively scarlet, as intolerable to my eyes as if I
had been a turkey." (_Army Life in a Black Regiment_, p. 7.)]

[Footnote 95: On the Georgia coast.]

[Footnote 96: See p. 60.]

[Footnote 97: Mr. Philbrick was staying at Coffin's for a few days.]

[Footnote 98: The agreement made on April 8, between Mr. Philbrick and
fourteen gentlemen, all but