"Engineer's Office, Morris Island, S. C., Sept. 10th, 1863.
"As the important experiment which will test the fitness of the American negro for the duties of a soldier is now being tried, it is desirable that facts bearing on the question be carefully observed and recorded.
"It is probable that in no military operations of the war have negro troops done so large a proportion, and so important and hazardous, fatigue duty, as in the siege operations on this island.
"As you have directed the operations of working parties of both white and black troops here, I respectfully ask, for the object above stated, an impartial and carefully prepared answer to the following inquiries, together with such statements as you choose to make bearing on this question:
"I. Courage as indicated by their behavior under fire.
"II. Skill and appreciation of their duties, referring to the quality of the work performed.
"III. Industry and perseverence, with reference, to the quantity of the work performed.
"IV. If a certain work were to be accomplished in the least possible time, i. e., when enthusiasm and direct personal interest is necessary to attain the end, would whites or blacks answer best?
"V. What is the difference, considering the above points between colored troops recruited from the free States and those from the slave States?
"Very respectfully your obedient servant,