il with the President's Second Message of
Emancipation, and the next day it was read to the men. The words
themselves did not stir them very much, because they have been often
told that they were free, especially on New-Year's Day, and, being
unversed in politics, they do not understand, as well as we do, the
importance of each additional guaranty. But the chaplain spoke to them
afterwards very effectively, as usual; and then I proposed to them to
hold up their hands and pledge themselves to be faithful to those still
in bondage. They entered heartily into this, and the scene was quite
impressive, beneath the great oak-branches. I heard afterwards that only
one man refused to raise his hand, saying bluntly that his wife was out
of slavery with him, and he did not care to fight. The other soldiers of
his company were very indignant, and shoved him about among them while
marching back to their quarters, calling him "Coward." I was glad of
their exhibition of feeling, though it is very possible that the one who
had thus the moral courage to stand alone among his comrades might be
more reliable, on a pinch, than some who yielded a more ready assent.
But the whole response, on their part, was very hearty, and will be a
good thing to which to hold them hereafter, at any time of
discouragement or demoralization,--which was my chief reason for
proposing it. With their simple natures, it is a great thing to tie them
to some definite committal; they never forget a marked occurrence, and
never seem disposed to evade a pledge.

It is this capacity of honor and fidelity which gives me such entire
faith in them as soldiers. Without it, all their religious demonstration
would be mere sentimentality. For instance, every one who visits the
camp is struck with their bearing as sentinels. They exhibit, in this
capacity, not an upstart conceit, but a steady, conscientious devotion
to duty. They would stop their idolized General Saxton, if he attempted
to cross their beat contrary to orders: I have seen them. No feeble or
incompetent race could do this. The officers tell many amusing instances
of this fidelity, but I think mine the best.

It was very dark the other night,--an unusual thing here,--and the rain
fell in torrents; so I put on my India-rubber suit, and went the rounds
of the sentinels, incognito, to test them. I can only say that I shall
never try such an experiment again, and have cautioned my officers
against it. 'T is a wond