"'I, too, regret that our men have not proved themselves worthy of a cause which they appear so willing to defend.'
"'Remember,' I continued, 'that our commissary department has been completely wrecked, and that we are entirely dependent upon the people for the subsistence of a large army.'
"By the sad expression of her countenance, which accompanied and followed this remark, I saw clearly that she felt we had reached a crisis in the war, when Providence was turning the tables, and she accordingly interrogated:
"'And what do you think of present prospects?'
"I quickly responded, 'Our future looks dark—our cause appears almost hopeless, but the sacrifices of our gallant dead remain unavenged. Therefore, we must fight while there is a man left, and die in the last ditch.'
"'If there be no longer any hope of success, sir, I should say that it would be better to lay down our arms at once, and go back under the old flag.'
"'Madam, we must fight, we must fight!'
"'But it is wickedness and worse than madness to continue this awful massacre of human beings, without some prospect of ultimate success.'
"'Very true; but we have lost all in this struggle, and must sell our lives as dearly as possible.'
"By this time the good lady seemed to have waxed enthusiastic, and warm as the fire over which the servant was preparing my supper, and she answered: