[4V50 Gary]

On another occasion a negro wench came into camp tired and hungry, having escaped from a plantation and walked a long way. It was after dark when she arrived and she begged for something to eat and a place to lie down. It occurred to Quartermaster Wright that Jerry Ring's tent would be a good place for her. Jerry had already retired and was snoring very loudly. The colored woman objected to going in but, upon being assured that Jerry was only a little boy, she was soon under the same blanket with him and sound asleep. The Quartermaster called the Colonel and other officers early in the morning to watch the effect when Jerry awakened and found his bed fellow. We threw back the tent flaps for a good view and took out station in a clump of bushes. Jerry awakened just at the break of day. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and discovered the wench. Such a drawing down of his mouth and such a look of indignation it was amusing to see. He jumped out of the tent and looked around, fearing that someone would discover his suspicious situation. When the officers made their appearance and caught him, it was really pitiful to hear Jerry's protestations of innocence. After this, whenever Jerry bragged of his Democracy and his hatred of the negro, we reminded him of this little occurrence.

On a new book now. I'm reading A Sailor's Log, a book by a sailor in the Asiatic Fleet around the turn of the Twentieth Century.