The next time we met was at Appomattox, and the first thing that General Grant said to me when we stepped inside, placing his hand in mine was, Pete, let us have another game of brag, to recall the days that were so pleasant. Great God! I thought to myself, how my heart swells out to such magnanimous touch of humanity. Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?

I do not want to make this charge. I do not see how it can succeed. I would not make it now but that General Lee has ordered it and expects it.

If we only save the finger of one man, that's enough.

I cannot help but think that great results would have been obtained had my views been thought better of; yet I am much inclined to accept the present condition as for the best.

This is a hard fight and we had better all die than lose it.

I hope to live long enough to see my surviving comrades march side by side with the Union veterans along Pennsylvania Avenue, and then I will die happy.

General, unless he offers us honorable terms, come back and let us fight it out!