ing to
the quality of the work.'

"They have a fair share of both; enough to make them very
useful and efficient, but they have not apparently that
superior intelligence and skill that may be found largely
among the non-commissioned officers and privates of the
white regiments.

"III. 'Industry and perseverence with reference to the
quantity of the work done.'

"I think they will do more than the whites; they do not have
so many complaints and excuses, but stick to their work
patiently, doggedly, obediently, and accomplish a great
deal, though I have never known them to work with any marked
spirit or energy. I should liken the white man to the horse
(often untractable and balky), the black man to the ox.

"IV. 'If a certain work were to be accomplished in the least
possible time, _i. e._, when enthusiasm and direct personal
interest is necessary to attain the end, would whites or
blacks answer best?'

"I cannot make up my mind that it is impossible to arouse
the enthusiasm of the blacks, for I have seen enough of them
to know that they are very emotional creatures; still though
they might have more dash than I have seen and think
possible, it is unquestionable to my mind that were the
enthusiasm and personal interest of both aroused, the white
would far surpass the black.

"It seems to me that there is a hard nervous organization at
the bottom of the character of the white, and a soft
susceptible one at the bottom of the character of the black.

"V. 'What is the difference, considering the above points,
between colored troops recruited from the free States and
those from the slave States?'

"I should say that the free State men were the best; they
have more of the self-reliance, and approximate nearer to
the qualities of the white man in respect to dash and
energy, than those from the slave States.

"_Summary._--To me they compare favorably with the whites;
they are easily handled, true and obedient; there is less
viciousness among them; they are more patient; they have
great constancy. The character of the white, as you know,
runs to extremes; one has bull-dog courage, another is a
pitiful cur; one is excessively vicious, another pure and
noble. The phases of the character of the white touches the