An account of Higginson's (a white Colonel) Civil War experiences. Chapters include: Camp Diary; Up the St. Mary's; Up the St. John's; Out on Picket; A Night in the Water; Up the Edisto; The Baby of the Regiment; Negro Spirituals; Life at Camp Shaw; and, The Negro as a Soldier. Also includes Apendices: Roster of Officers; The First Black Soldiers; General Saxton's Instructions; The Struggle for Pay; and, Farewell Address of Lt. Col. Trowbridge.