April 7.
Some of you can
imagine how heartily I enjoyed the morning gallop from station to station, to
look after our soldiers. They endured the march well, but are not equal to
whites. I believe the Colonel is more easily reconciled to this disparity of
endurance, from the fact that it corroborates his theory that physical
endurance and longevity are enhanced by civilization. Yesterday morning as we
came through Beaufort I visited Gen'l Saxton and asked him to detail Dr. Hawks
to take charge of the new General Hospital for colored soldiers instead of
carrying out his plan to appoint Dr. whose treatment is open to criticism.
Tonight I am glad to hear that all is going as I could wish, and that our men will
not be neglected. Dr. Minor is here with me again.
At Seabrook, this
morning, I saw the rebel pickets on the opposite shore. They often hail our
men, but are never answered. The men chafe under this a little, but obey the
Colonel's order. Charles Follen has charge of that plantation. I like him.
There is a prospect of his joining our regiment. I heartily wish we might have
all earnest, antislavery men for officers. Military training without moral help
is not very valuable.
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