stars and descends to the lowest depths. The blacks
character occupies the inner circle. Their status is
mediocrity, and this mediocrity and uniformity, for military
fatigue duty, I think, answers best.

"I am respectfully your obedient servant,

"JOSEPH WALKER.

"_Captain New York Volunteer Engineers._

"Major T. B. BROOKS,

"_Aide-de-Camp and Ass't. Eng. Dept. of the South."_

[_Reply in Full No. 2._]

"MORRIS ISLAND, Sept. 16th, 1863.

"MAJOR T. B. BROOKS, _Ass't. Engineer Dept. of the South._

"SIR: I have the honor to state that I received from you a
circular of inquiry respecting the comparative merits of
white and black soldiers for fatigue duty, requesting my
opinion as derived from observation and actual intercourse
with them, on several specified points, which I subjoin with
the respective answers.

"I. 'Courage as indicated by conduct under fire.'

"I have found that the black troops manifest more timidity
under fire than the white troops, but they are at the same
time more obedient to orders, and more under control of
their officers, in dangerous situations, than white
soldiers.

"II. 'Skill and appreciation of their duties with reference
to the quality of the work performed.'

"White soldiers are more intelligent and experienced and of
course more skillful than the black ones, but they have not
generally a corresponding appreciation of their duties. As a
consequence I have found in most cases the work as well done
by black as by white soldiers.

"III. 'Industry and perseverence with reference to the
amount of work performed.'

"White soldiers work with more energy while they do work
than the black ones, but do not work as constantly. Black
soldiers seldom intermit their labors except by orders or
permission. The result, as far as my observations extends,
is that a greater amount of work is usually accomplished
with black than with white soldiers.

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