[173]
was ready, when they would put a white flag on their rifle-pit.
This amused me, for I had already seen all that could be seen and knew just where their position was just at that point!
I returned whence I came, and waited at a wretched, deserted house. . . . At seven in the evening I got the reply and carried it in. The sum of it was: “Have the honor to acknowledge your favor.
As to your proposition — Ah, don't see it!”
1 And so there was no armistice.
Our poor wounded fellows, I believe, we got off that night, all of them, or all but a very few. And thus ended my second diplomatic mission.
Since then, General Williams has caused a regular white flag to be made, ready for use in future.
June 23, 1864
All were up at an early hour and ready for an advance, which had been ordered.
On the right, towards the Gregory house, we were already against them, and I suppose my friend there, Major Crow, had seen us under more hostile circumstances. . . . By 4.30 General Meade started for General Wright's Headquarters at the Williams house, where he ordered me to stay, when he left at seven. . . . I rode about with General Wright, who visited his line, which was not straight or facing properly.
That's a chronic trouble in lines in the woods.
Indeed there are several chronic troubles.
The divisions have lost connection; they cannot cover the ground designated, their wing is in the air, their skirmish line has lost its direction, etc.,