The broken pillar made me afraid to venture to the edge, but we were plainly in view of each other.
"Are you the Yank in command ?" he asked brusquely, staring up at me.
"Yes." He removed the rag from his sword, and thrust the weapon into its scabbard.
"What force have you ?" I smiled, amused at his display of nerve.
"You will have to come in to discover that, my friend." His naturally florid face reddened with anger.
"I'm not here to joke," he retorted.

"General Chambers wishes me to offer you a last opportunity to surrender without bloodshed." "And if I refuse ?" "We shall attack at once, sir," haughtily.

"A glance about will show you the helplessness of your position." I waited long enough to glance again over the scene.

I was convinced they possessed no artillery which could be spared from the front for this small affair, and believed we were capable of making a strong defence against musketry.

With the exception of that battalion of infantry near the gate, and the cavalry regiment in the orchard, every organized body of troops was being hurried forward to strengthen their line of battle.