I shudder, even now, to think of the train of consequences, bearing on the whole course of subsequent national events, which one such mishap might then have produced.

It is almost impossible for us now to remember in what a delicate balance then hung the whole question of negro enlistments, and consequently of Slavery.

Fortunately for my own serenity, I had great faith in the intrinsic power of military discipline, and also knew that a common service would soon produce mutual respect among good soldiers; and so it proved.

But the first twelve hours of this mixed command were to me a more anxious period than any outward alarms had created.
Let us resort to the note-book again.
"JACKSONVILLE, March 22, 1863.
"It is Sunday; the bell is ringing for church, and Rev.Mr.F., from Beaufort, is to preach.

This afternoon our good quartermaster establishes a Sunday-school for our little colony of 'contrabands,' now numbering seventy.
"Sunday Afternoon.
"The bewildering report is confirmed; and in addition to the Sixth Connecticut, which came yesterday, appears part of the Eighth Maine.