[52]
January 13, 1863.
In many ways the childish nature of this people shows itself.
I have just had to make a change of officers in a company which has constantly complained, and with good reason, of neglect and improper treatment.
Two excellent officers have been assigned to them; and yet they sent a deputation to me in the evening, in a state of utter wretchedness.
“We's bery grieved dis evening, Cunnel; ‘pears like we could n't bear it, to lose de Cap'n and de Lieutenant, all two togeder.”
Argument was useless; and I could only fall back on the general theory, that I knew what was best for them, which had much more effect; and I also could cite the instance of another company, which had been much improved by a new captain, as they readily admitted.
So with the promise that the new officers should not be “savage to we,” which was the one thing they deprecated, I assuaged their woes.
Twenty-four hours have passed, and I hear them singing most merrily all down that company street.
I often notice how their griefs may be dispelled, like those of children, merely by permission to utter them: if they can tell their sorrows, they go away happy, even without asking to have anything done about them.
I observe also a peculiar dislike of all intermediate control: they always wish to pass by the company officer, and deal with me personally for everything.
General Saxton notices the same thing with the people on the plantations as regards himself.
I suppose this proceeds partly from the old habit of appealing to the master against the overseer.
Kind words would cost the master nothing, and he could easily put off any non-fulfilment upon the overseer.
Moreover, the negroes have acquired such constitutional distrust of white people, that it is perhaps as 