Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Army Life in a Black Regiment

[258] to my relief that, whatever their deficiency in this respect, it was modified by the general quality of their temperament, and indicated rather a softening and relaxation than a hardening and brutalizing of their moral natures. Any insult or violence in this direction was a thing unknown. I never heard of an instance. It was not uncommon for men to have two or three wives in different plantations,--the second, or remoter, partner being called a “‘broad wife,” --i. e. wife abroad. But the whole tendency was toward marriage, and this state of things was only regarded as a bequest from “mas'r time.”

I knew a great deal about their marriages, for they often consulted me, and took my counsel as lovers are wont to do,--that is, when it pleased their fancy. Sometimes they would consult their captains first, and then come to me in despairing appeal. “Cap'n Scroby [Trowbridge] he acvise me not for marry dis lady, ‘cause she hab seben chil'en. What for use? Cap'n Scroby can't lub for me. I mus' lub for myself, and I lub he.” I remember that on this occasion “he” stood by, a most unattractive woman, jet black, with an old pink muslin dress, torn white cotton gloves, and a very flowery bonnet, that must have descended through generations of tawdry mistresses.

I felt myself compelled to reaffirm the decision of the inferior court. The result was as usual. They were married the next day, and I believe that she proved an excellent wife, though she had seven children, whose father was also in the regiment. If she did not, I know many others who did, and certainly I have never seen more faithful or more happy marriages than among that people.