Frederick Douglass

The 54th was not long in the field before it proved itself gallant and strong, worthy to rank with the most courageous of its white companions in arms.

I saw, or thought I saw a ray of light, brightening the future of my whole race as well as that of our war-troubled country, in arousing colored men to fight for the nation’s life.

I believed I should get enough to eat at Covey’s, even if I suffered in other respects, and this to a hungry man is not a prospect to be regarded with indifference.

In that terrible battle, under the wing of night, more cavils in respect of the quality of negro manhood were set at rest than could have been during a century of ordinary life and observation.

But thus far, the government had not kept its promise, or the promise made for it.

A death blow was then given to the slaveholding rebellion.

Covey succeeded in breaking me--in body, soul, and spirit.

We kissed the hand that smote us, and spurned the hand that helped us.

And now, on this day of January 1st, 1863, the formal and solemn announcement was made that thereafter the government would be found on the side of emancipation.

No word was said when free men from Massachusetts were caught and sold into slavery in Texas.

The good to be sought and the evil to be shunned were flung in the balance and weighed against each other.

The more I observed and learned the more my confidence diminished.