Some, in fact, were silhouetted sharply as they passed before the Southern fires.

Northern sharpshooters could have crept up and picked off many of them, as the Southern sharpshooters in turn might have served many of the Northern watchers, but in this mighty war there was little of such useless and merciless enterprise.

The men soon ceased to have personal animosity, and, in the nights between the great battles, when the armies yet lay face to face, the hostile pickets would often exchange gossip and tobacco.

Even in a conflict waged so long and with such desperation the essential kindliness of human nature would assert itself.
The four, as they skirted the Southern line, noticed no signs of further preparations by the Confederates.

No men were throwing up earthworks or digging trenches.