e in them self-respect and all manly
qualities. Our success in this respect was ample
compensation for our labor. The men who went on picket or
guard duty, took their books as quite as indispensable as
their coffee pots.

"It must not be supposed that we had only plain sailing.
Soon after reaching Chattanooga, heavy details began to be
made upon us for men to work upon the fortifications then in
process of construction around the town. This almost
incessant labor, interfered sadly with our drill, and at one
time all drill was suspended, by orders from headquarters.
There seemed little prospect of our being ordered to the
field, and as time wore on and arrangements began in earnest
for the new campaign against Atlanta, we grew impatient for
work, and anxious for opportunity for drill and preparations
for field service.

"I used every means to bring about a change, for I believed
that the ultimate status of the negro was to be determined
by his conduct on the battle-field. No one doubted that he
would work, while many did doubt that he had courage to
stand up and fight like a man. If he could take his place
side by side with the white soldier; endure the same
hardships on the campaign, face the same enemy, storm the
same works, resist the same assaults, evince the same
soldierly qualities, he would compel that respect which the
world has always accorded to heroism, and win for himself
the same laurels which brave soldiers have always won.

"Personally, I shrink from danger, and most decidedly prefer
a safe corner at my own fireside, to an exposed place in the
face of an enemy on the battle-field, but so strongly was I
impressed with the importance of giving colored troops a
fair field and full opportunity to show of what mettle they
were made, that I lost no chance of insisting upon our right
to be ordered into the field. At one time I was threatened
with dismissal from the service for my persistency, but that
did not deter me, for though I had no yearning for
martyrdom, I was determined if possible to put my regiment
into battle, at whatever cost to myself. As I look back upon
the matter after twenty-one years, I see no reason to regret
my action, unless it be that I was not even more persistent
in claiming for these m