Plots were considered for a daring assault to force the gates or scale the stockade.

The men were crazy enough to attempt anything rather than sit down and patiently starve.

Many offered themselves as leaders in any attempt that it might be thought best to make.

The hopelessness of any such venture was apparent, even to famished men, and the propositions went no farther than inflammatory talk.
The third morning the orders were again repeated.

This time we succeeded in remaining in ranks in such a manner as to satisfy Wirz, and we were given our rations for that day, but those of the other days were permanently withheld.
That afternoon Wirz ventured into camp alone.