"The shells did it, and it's been burning for some time, spreading until it has now come into our own sight." But they were detached fires, and they did not fuse into a general mass at any time.

Clumps of trees burnt steadily like vast torches and sent up high flames.

Bands of men from either side worked silently, removing as many of the wounded as they could.

It was a spontaneous movement, as happened so often in this war, and Dick and his comrades took a part in it.
North and South met in friendliness in the darkness or by the light of the burning pines, and talked freely as they lifted up their wounded.
Dick asked often about Colonel Kenton, meeting at last some Kentuckians, who told him that the colonel had gone through the day without a wound, and was with Buckner.

Then Dick asked if any Mississippians were along the line.
"What do you want with 'em ?" asked a long, lank man with a bilious yellow face.
"I've got a friend among 'em.