I believe that he would have talked all day and all night, for days together, to any officer who could instruct him, until his companions, at least, fell asleep exhausted.

His comprehension of the whole problem of Slavery was more thorough and far-reaching than that of any Abolitionist, so far as its social and military aspects went; in that direction I could teach him nothing, and he taught me much.

But it was his methods of thought which always impressed me chiefly: superficial brilliancy he left to others, and grasped at the solid truth.
Of course his interest in the war and in the regiment was unbounded; he did not take to drill with especial readiness, but he was insatiable of it, and grudged every moment of relaxation.

Indeed, he never had any such moments; his mind was at work all the time, even when he was singing hymns, of which he had endless store.

He was not, however, one of our leading religionists, but his moral code was solid and reliable, like his mental processes.