Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[494] observed a very remarkable trait about them. They learned to handle arms and to march more readily than the most intelligent white men. My drillmaster could teach a regiment of negroes that much of the art of war sooner than he could have taught the same number of students from Harvard or Yale.

Why? Because the negro was already drilled. The necessity of drills which seem interminable and never-ending to a civilian, is to teach recruits perfect and quick obedience to the word of command of their officer, and to obey that instantly and implicitly, whatever else may be happening to attract attention. Now, from childhood up, the word of command had been implicitly and abjectly obeyed by the negro. His master's voice was his perfect guide.

Again, they were exceedingly imitative. Show them how to handle a musket and at once they imitated the movement as if they feared it might hurt them if they used it any other way. At first, indeed, the negro seemed quite as much afraid of the musket in his own hands as when in the hands of the enemy, but he soon learned to rely upon it as his defence, as was shown afterwards. When in the field, being wounded, if he could bring himself off, however severely injured, he always brought his weapon off.

Again, their ear for time as well as tune was exceedingly apt; and it was wonderful with what accuracy and steadiness a company of negroes would march after a few days' instruction.

Again, white men, in case of sudden danger, seek safety by going apart each for himself. The negroes always cling together for mutual protection.

They instinctively, and without needing so much drilling and experience as did white men, kept their camps neat and in better order.

I afterwards raised in Virginia nearly three thousand negro cavalry. While they could not easily be taught to ride with the dragoon-like precision of position of white men, yet it seemed quite impossible to unhorse them, especially those from plantations. I had occasion to learn this. In drilling them in a charge at full gallop over the rough and uneven plains, sometimes covered by ditches, it was rarely one was unhorsed.

But the prejudice against them among the white officers of the service was at first fearful, especially among the regulars. Now they have become a part of the army of the United States; and as I