[315] Boston, in 1860, where he remained through the day, despite the insults of an excited mob, and showed then and on subsequent like occasions his determination at all personal risks to protect freedom of discussion, and, as he said, to ‘give truth fair play.’ In the ensuing winter he joined the Salignac Drill-Club in Boston, where he soon became a sergeant. One of his brother officers writes of this club as follows:—
I found a new class then forming. The first day we were drilled by a sergeant who did not seem to have a power of imparting instruction. The second day by another sergeant, whose name I did not know, but with whom all things went smoothly. I was very much impressed with his simple and earnest manner. He was dressed in the blue uniform of the school, with its red binding, and seemed very much interested in his work. For several days he attended as instructor with others, and we all hailed his appearance with satisfaction. About a week after joining the class, I mentioned to one of the old members whom I knew, that I wanted very much to take some part in organizing a negro force. He said to me, “Why don't you talk to Savage about it; he is one of your kind.” I asked him to point Savage out. He did so, and to my delight he proved to be the favorite sergeant. He seemed much interested, but said he had promised to take hold of Gordon's regiment, and proposed to me to go into it. I took his advice.In the spring of 1861 it had become clear that war was the only alternative. A friend, who gave a dinner to a number of classmates at that time, says:—
Savage was one of the company. Of course we were all excited, and all talked more or less about the state of the country and the war; and, although all but myself have since then served in the army, Savage was the only one that day who had decided to go into the service; and it was singular to see how simple a matter it seemed to him. There was no excitement or enthusiasm; it was to him an obvious duty, to be done as a matter of course.A lady who was with him very often at a bowling club, during the winter of 1859-60, describes James as
One of the men whom women instinctively trust; there was such a reserved force and gentleness pervading all his simplest actions, that one could not doubt for a moment that he might be
