Skirmishing had almost ceased,--our defences being tolerably complete, and looking from without much more effective than they really were.

We were safe from any attack by a small force, and hoped that the enemy could not spare a large one from Charleston or Savannah.

All looked bright without, and gave leisure for some small anxieties within.
It was the first time in the war (so far as I know) that white and black soldiers had served together on regular duty.

Jealousy was still felt towards even the officers of colored regiments, and any difficult contingency would be apt to bring it out.

The white soldiers, just from ship-board, felt a natural desire to stray about the town; and no attack from an enemy would be so disastrous as the slightest collision between them and the black provost-guard.