In the hour before dawn, the snow began to fall again, lightly at first but thickening as it drifted down from the black sky. It soon lay heavily on the tree branches, draped the wide open pasture like a sheet, hiding yet accentuating the subtle shapes that lay twisted across its expanse.
As the snow filled in the depressions of his upturned eyes, the General fluttered to consciousness. At first, he saw nothing but the overwhelming darkness and the flecks of white falling toward him, past him. This gave him the sensation of moving through space, floating free toward some unknown destination.
Thinking himself dead, he relaxed, accepted his fate, continued to stare out into the rushing nothingness. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark, however, he saw tree limbs above him, began to feel the cold soak through his torn uniform, the unyielding, contorted ground he lay upon.
For a moment, not sure of where he was or what condition he was in, he was afraid to move. Afraid to stir, lest he find himself a prisoner in a Rebel encampment or without a limb. The need to wipe his face clear of the stinging layer of snow overwhelmed any concern for his immediate safety, though. He passed a hand over his face, marveling that the snow didn't feel cold. For a moment, he worried that he might be paralyzed, but then he felt the texture of each flake as it brushed against his cheek, settled there unmelted. He lay still again, hearing the slight hiss of the snow as it drifted down. And, he remembered the battles.
"Aye, sir," huffed the Scout. "I seen 'em coming up the dry river bed 'bout three or four miles north. Rushed here as fast as I could."
"How many?" asked the General, toying distractedly with the gold braid on his sleeve.
"Maybe a hundred on foot. Fifty more on horses in the lead. No artillery," the scout said between breaths, struggling to remain at attention.
"Did they see you?"
"Aye, sir. That they did."
"Unfortunate. Well, then, we have probably half an hour before they arrive," said the General, wiping dust from his lapels.
"Major," he said to an officer at his side. "Let's get everything ready for their reception."
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