Mary Thacher Higginson, Thomas Wentworth Higginson: the story of his life

[205] Governor Andrew that such a move would precipitate a border war, and that the time for such warfare had not yet arrived. He also said that if Mr. Higginson should enter western Virginia ‘with the kind of troops he purposes to enlist it would not only destroy the loyal sentiment of that part of the State, but would influence the people of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri.’ This project was therefore abandoned.

On Mr. Higginson's return to Worcester, he was offered a position as major of the fourth battalion of infantry. This he declined, partly from a feeling of unfitness, and partly on account of his wife's invalid condition. He also felt doubtful about the Government's attitude on slavery, and feared he might be ordered to return fugitive slaves to their owners. However, he continued to study military tactics; took fencing lessons; and before going into active service, had belonged to five ‘drill clubs.’ In his journal of January, 1862, he gives a list of these clubs, he having been president of two of them, and records practising with rifle and bayonet, as well as studying the manual of arms. One of these clubs, ‘The Old City Guard,’ was formed, he wrote, of ‘ a clique of very small men with whom good sense had one long tussle till it broke up. . . . Disbanded with regret and thought I should join the militia.’ But after a few months of this work he wearied of it and