impossible for either army to
move at all. For a few days our sufferings were quite
severe. We had only shelter tents for the men, with very
little fuel, and many of those who had lost their blankets
keenly felt their need.

"On December 5th, before the storm, by order of General
Steadman, I made a little reconnoissance, capturing, with
slight loss, Lieutenant Gardner and six men, from the 5th
Mississippi Regiment. December 7th we made another, in
which Colonel Johnson and three or four men were wounded. On
one of these occasions, while my men were advancing in face
of a sharp fire, a rabbit started up in front of them. With
shouts of laughter, several of them gave chase, showing that
even battle could not obliterate the negro's love of sport.

"But the great day drew near. The weather grew warmer; the
ice gave way. Thomas was ready, and calling together his
chiefs, laid before them his plan of battle.

"About nine o'clock at night December 14th, 1864, I was
summoned to General Steadman's headquarters. He told me what
the plan of battle was, and said he wished me to open the
fight by making a vigorous assault upon Hood's right flank.
This, he explained, was to be a feint, intended to betray
Hood into the belief that it was the real attack, and to
lead him to support his right by weakening his left, where
Thomas intended assaulting him in very deed. The General
gave me the 14th United States Colored Infantry, under
Colonel H. C. Corbin; the 17th U. S. C. I., under the
gallant Colonel W. R. Shafter; a detachment of the 18th U.
S. C. I., under Major L. D. Joy; the 44th U. S. C. I., under
Colonel L. Johnson; a provisional brigade of white troops
under Colonel C. H. Grosvenor, and a section of Artillery,
under Captain Osburn, of the 20th Indiana Battery.

"The largest force I had ever handled was two regiments, and
as I rather wanted to open the battle in proper style, I
asked General Steadman what suggestion he had to make. He
replied: 'Colonel, to-morrow morning at daylight I want you
to open the battle.' 'All right, General, do you not think
it would be a good plan for me to--', and I outlined a
little plan of attack. With a twinkle in his kindly eye, he
replied: 'To-morrow morning, Colonel, just as soon as you
can se