White Mistress, Black Master From the collected letters of young Lieutenant Ashley Stanton of the Confederate States of America Cavalry Div 1, North Carolina. 1862. Dear Scarlett, I miss you so much. I wanted so much to hold you in my arms and give you one last kiss before our formation left. I so wished you could have come down to the courtyard, but I understand that business is important. You haven't had a problem with the darkies have you? The one great thing about this hideous war is at least when we win we will keep the darkies in their place. Speaking of which. I wasn't sure I understood your last letter. You say you have a new buck to replace Rufus, and he lives in the big house with you? With all due respect, dearest, you are my intended fiancee when this dreadful war is over and you know how suspicious Carolina society can be. It could be considered a trifle improper." Dear Ashley, Are you still pouting about my not being able to, um, break loose, to come downstairs? Um, I was testing some new young male fieldhands that day, to see if any had the potential for being household help. You just don't understand how important that is, and how dreadfully unsatisfying it is when it's interrupted. Not good for the darkie either I might add. I am so proud of my gallant warrior, but I don't really understand this need to phrase this awful conflict in terms of protecting white southern maidenhood. In fact at a social cotillion of other white girls who were here the other night, um, also testing household male help, we thought that wasn't really a practical explanation for the loss of so many white boys. You asked about Rufus? He was requisitioned along with several experienced males by the awful army. So much time I spent with him, and I had finally become adjusted to his size, um, his bearing, and now I have to find another replacement. Yes I think I may have found him though. He is a huge black young male, 6'6 and maybe 250 pounds of packed black muscle. Very handsome (for a darkie of course, nothing like you, dearest). After some testing, I found he has astonishing stamina and drive, and of course his size is unbelievable. I believe he just might be the new head nigger of the plantation. His name is almost unpronounceable, I think I'll spell it M'Bongo, which I tried to get him to translate. It was difficult at first, but I think it means Great Male Root or something. I find their primitive culture fascinating, dearest. It is so non verbal on many levels. When I first brought him into the main house, I really had no idea what his name meant when he told me. But now, I think on a physical level, it is simply the best possible name for him, even though I can't explain it. Anyway, dear, you mentioned stopping by at an upcoming leave, but check first with me. M'Bongo and I might be, um, working on a special project. Always let me know several days before your arrival because my, interests and duties leave me so fulfilled, and sometimes I feel stretched to the point of being sore, even though its also such a nice feeling. My best wishes and write back soon. Love Scarlett. xxxxx Dear Scarlett, So happy you got my letter. Don't worry about me at all, but I still am a trifle concerned about proprieties. This new house nigger I'm certain knows his place, but when we're married we still have to follow the social conventions. Too much familiarity with the darkies can lead to gossip. It's a well known rule that the slightest darkie attitude of resentment must be met with firm resolve, or else the whole power structure is in danger. Wish you were here desperately. Love Ashley Dearest Ashley, Don't be concerned at all about familiarity with my male darkies, dearest. We have gone way past that, especially with my ebony giant, M'Bongo, so those aren't even the slightest concerns any more. But I have had to make some adjustments in handling them. When M'Bongo is angry over something, I have found that things go much better if I humor him. In fact the constant demands of running this huge plantation with all this wartime madness has made me wish to a return of the days when my daddy used to take me over his knee when I was bad, and used a cane on my bottom. In fact its so odd you mentioned this, because M'Bongo has the same attitude, and lately when he is impatient and angry, and all the staff fears him, I found that if I allow him to take his anger out on me, we all feel so much better, especially myself. Darling Scarlett, I feel that somehow your letters are satisfying, but also disturbing. And I worry so much about you. The papers are full of homefront shortages, even starvation after the military appropriated all the livestock and foodstuffs. Yet your picture makes you look so radiant, so full of life. How do you manage it? Have you hidden foodstuffs from the army? Dearest Ashley, No, dear, I unfortunately didn't plan on hiding food. But we do manage to survive. About all the resources we have left here on Tara are big black male darkies, but M'Bongo once again came to my rescue. He explained this mysterious primitive ritual about imbibing what he calls the essence of manhood. They are so fraught with witchdoctor taboos and home remedies, you know. I hadn't realized but we had all along been taking part of this liquid food ritual, but even M'Bongo's incredible stamina wasn't quite enough, but he as usual found a solution for me. I was doubtful at first, but every day M'Bongo sends me a group of the youngest most virile darkie bucks, and under his strict control, I partake of this African rite. And, yes, I do feel much better. But of course M'Bongo I think gives me the most satisfying essence. To tell the truth, I think several other plantation mistresses are doing the same thing with their darkie males. Carla from Goldenflower House says its not really an exclusive African thing, but I don't want to tell M'Bongo and hurt his feelings. But, then if I do, he becomes angry, and then I suppose he'll take it out on me, and then we both feel so much better,(smile). Did I miss a letter, dearest? we have been so busy lately, do write back. Love Scarlett, or as M'Bongo now insists, M'Bongo and woman.