the rain poured in torrents
most of the time.

"During the night the enemy's infantry moved up and formed
in our immediate front; in fact made every necessary
preparation for battle, while the dog fancier, who was
unfortunately at the head of our army across the river, was
either sleeping or devising the ways and means by which he
could most easily elude the enemy.

"But when daylight came the six regiments were there in
line, every man ready, willing and determined to return,
volley for volley, and if necessary force the fighting, so
as to bring on a general engagement.

"There were but six regiments of us south of the river, with
two pieces of artillery. But we were there to stay until a
battle was fought.

"General Rice of Iowa, formed his brigade in the center; the
12th Kansas Infantry, commanded by Col. Hayes was on his
left, and the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry, commanded by
myself, was on the right.

"As soon as it was fairly light, the battle began; both
lines moving slightly forward until within close range. From
the beginning, the crash of musketry was terrific. Our men
stood firm against the advanced Division of the enemy's
infantry, and used their Springfield and Enfield rifles with
deadly effect.

"The enemy seeing our weakness in numbers, pressed heavily
in the center and upon both flanks, with the evident design
of breaking our line before re-enforcements could reach us.

"But in this they were disappointed. We held our position
until re-enforcements arrived.

"At one time my regiment was under a heavy fire from the
front and also from the flank, but not a man wavered. In
fact it seemed to inspire them with additional courage. The
re-enforcements as they arrived, passed to the rear and
formed on the left, leaving me to hold the right. After
about three hours hard fighting, the enemy having failed to
dislodge my regiment from its position, which was regarded
as the key to the situation, brought into position a battery
of artillery, planted it immediately in front of my regiment
and opened with canister.

"As soon as this was done I gave the order to cease firing
and fix bayonets, and followed that immediately with the
order to charge the battery.

"These orders were executed with