Quite often the Union soldiers who were short of tobacco would barter bacon or bread for tobacco, because the Confederates at this time were beginning to feel the shortage of food.
All through the Civil War the men in both armies showed a fine spirit of chivalry to the enemy, whenever duty and the stern law of war would permit acts of courtesy and kindness.
At one time in the Vicksburg siege a dead mule between the lines became unbearably offensive to the Confederates.
“Heh, Yanks!” a soldier shouted, “we’ve got to bury that mule. He’s smelling us out.”
“All right,” the Yankee boys replied. “We smelled him yesterday. Send out three men, and we’ll send three. Say, Johnnies, better stick up a white rag, when you’re coming out, so our boys don’t make a mistake!”
The mule was covered with dirt. The The soldiers exchanged various little articles and swapped some yarns and jokes.
“Yanks, when are you coming to town?” the Southerners asked.
“We’ll be there on the Fourth. By that time your grub will be gone.”
“Like thunder you will,” the Boys in Grey returned the banter. “Why, men, we’ve got enough grub to last till winter. If you Yanks stick around long enough, we’ll invite you to a Christmas pudding.”
“Many thanks,” the Northerners came back; “you can’t fool us on mule-meat and river-soup. We’ll bring our own rations when we come in.”