Passing through the principal streets, I told the contrabands that when they heard the court-house bell, which would ring soon, they must go to the court-house yard, where a communication would be made to them.  In the mean time I secured the valuable services of some fellow-privates, one for a quarter-master, two others to aid in superintending at the trenches, and the orderly-sergeant of my own company, whose expertness in the drill was equalled only by his general good sense and business capacity.  Upon the ringing of the bell, about forty contrabands came to the yard.  A second exploration added to the number some twenty or more, who had not heard the original summons.  They then came into the building, where they were called to order and addressed.  I had argued to judges and juries, but I had never spoken to such auditors before in a court-room.  I told them that the colored men had been employed on the breastworks of the Rebels, and we needed their aid,—­that they would be required to do only such labor as we ourselves had done,—­that they should be treated kindly, and no one should be obliged to work beyond his capacity, or if unwell,—­and that they should be furnished in a day or two with full soldiers’ rations.  I told them that their masters had said they were an indolent people,—­that I did not believe the charge,—­that I was going home to Massachusetts soon and should be glad to report that they were as industrious as the whites.  They generally showed no displeasure, some even saying, that, not having done much for some time, it was the best thing for them to be now employed.  Four or five men over fifty years old said that they suffered from rheumatism, and could not work without injury.  Being confirmed by the by-standers, they were dismissed.  Other old men said they would do what they could, and they were assured that no more would be required of them.  Two of them, provided with a bucket and dipper, were detailed to carry water all the time along the line of laborers.  Two young men fretted a little, and claimed to be disabled in some way.  They were told to resume their seats, and try first and see what they could do,—­to the evident amusement of the rest, who knew them to be indolent and disposed to shirk.  A few showed some sulkiness, but it all passed away after the first day, when they found that they were to be used kindly.  One well-dressed young man, a carpenter, feeling a little better than his associates, did not wear a pleasant face at first.  Finding out his trade, we set him to sawing the posts for the intrenchments, and he was entirely reconciled.  Free colored men were not required to work; but one volunteered, wishing, as he said, to do his part.  The contrabands complained that the free colored men ought to be required to work on the intrenchments as well as they.  I thought so too, but followed my orders.  A few expressed some concern lest their masters should punish them for serving us, if they ever returned.  One inquired suspiciously