Nothing could have been further from our minds than this.

Lord Salisbury's letter to our two Presidents, demanding unconditional surrender, had rendered any thought of peace impossible.

On the contrary, we were concerned to discover the best method of continuing the war.

We knew, I need scarcely say, that humanly speaking ultimate victory for us was out of the question--that had been clear from the very beginning.

For how could our diminutive army hope to stand against the overwhelming numbers at the enemy's command?
Yet we had always felt that no one is worthy of the name of man who is not ready to vindicate the right, be the odds what they may.