January 1, 1863
This is the evening
of the most eventful day of my life. Our barbecue was a most wonderful success.
Two steamboats came loaded with people from Beaufort, St. Helena Island and
Hilton Head. Among the visitors were some of my new acquaintances. My friend,
Mr. Hall of the voyage on the Delaware. But the dearest friend I found among
them was Miss Forten, whom you remember. She is a teacher of the freed children
on St. Helena Island. Gen. Saxton and his father and others came from Beaufort,
and several cavalry officers hovered around the outskirts of our multitude of
black soldiers and civilians, and in the centre of all was the speakers’ stand,
where the General and our Colonel and some others, with the band, performed the
ceremonies of the day. Several good speeches were made, but the most impressive
scene was that which occurred at the presentation of the Dr. Cheever flag to
our regiment. After the presentation speech had been made, and just as Col. Higginson
advanced to take the flag and respond, a negro woman standing near began to
sing “America,” and soon many voices of freedmen and women joined in the
beautiful hymn, and sang it so touchingly that every one was thrilled beyond
measure. Nothing could have been more unexpected or more inspiring. The
President's proclamation and General Saxton's New Year's greeting had been
read, and this spontaneous outburst of love and loyalty to a country that has
heretofore so terribly wronged these blacks, was the birth of a new hope in the
honesty of her intention. I most earnestly trust they may not hope in vain.
Col. Higginson was
so much inspired by the remarkable thought of, and singing of, the hymn, that
he made one of his most effective speeches. Then came Gen. Saxton with a most
earnest and brotherly speech to the blacks and then Mrs. Frances D. Gage, and
finally all joined in the John Brown hymn, and then to dinner. A hundred things
of interest occurred which I have not time to relate. Everybody was happy in
the bright sunshine, and in the great hope. The ten oxen were eaten with hearty
relish and barrels of molasses and water and vinegar and ginger were drunk to
wash them down. Mr. Hall, Miss Forten and some others took dinner with us.
SOURCE: Proceedings
of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 43, October, 1909—June,1910:
February 1910. p. 340-1
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