The New York herald., 1862-09-21
A TRUCE AND A MISUNDERSTANDING.

A TRUCE AND A NOTWITHSTANDING
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IL stated that Genera, Lee commanding the sebol
forces had sent in flag Of to Genera. Mcclellan
this morning, ssking permission to bury his dsad and
take in his wounded. But sucb s not the case No ag
Of trnee by either side during all the morning
On the contrary, sharpshooters stationed she
outposs, and when parties from either side caMe too
the outer line IN search Of killed wounded, tho
sharpshooters would crack away at them. was danger
business TO engage in-gatberng in the killed and
wounded several poor fellows just beyond the po
stons Of the pickets lying wounded on thc field and
pteousy pleading for assistance which twas dangerous
TO render This afternoon, however, there was some
conversation between officers Of tho opposing
armies relative 10 arm,stice. which will explain
IN DETAIL appears that some tender hearted Colonel,
thinking that provision must immediately be made for
the suseor Of the wounded who lying the field
just beyond The pickle, nes authorized Of his euse
nauts to display nag Of truce for the purpose Of sug
gestng that tho shsrpshooers desist from firing
men who were simply engaged in picking up the
wounded. The lieutenant appeared the crest of
hill in 'front.' displaying his hag OF truce About tle
time another officer, In adjacent portion Of the
field, also displayed nag Of truce. They per-
ceivcd ard acknowledged by the enemy. The Union
officers went down to the confederate lines and bad
conference with the rebel ofScers who met
them. u appears shat officers, having
been sent without ANY recognized authority,
had distnc. proposition make but simply suggest
cd The suspension OF h0sttes gnt the dead buried
and the wodnded cared for. Now, there we're vastly
larger numbers OF The rebels Killed and wound
ed within our picket lines than within the
picket lines Of the enemy. The rebel officer,
not understanding She precise conditions Of the ndica,-
ed arroistcc, sen. word to hIs superior officer, who
upon tho ground in pcrson to inquire he mat
ter. He proved TO be General Roger Pryor Virginia
commander OF brigade, bst now as no said in tempo.
rary command Of division The OF the flags OF
truce could not mako themselves any intelgbe to
Genera, Pryor than 20 the other officer. AZ
length word sent ~ tho headquarters or
General Hancock, who after General n'chardscn
wounded yesterday, was igned TO the command
OF this division which ~ IL appears conronts ths
the rebel side commanded by General Pryor tina. flag
or truce sppesrsd In 'front.' He Of his aids to
ceve it, ami bring him whatever proposition the rebel
commander might wish 70 make whsr the AID
versed with Pryor, it came out foE tho erst time
10 knowledge that the flag Of truce had smanated
from side. In the meantime, however, Gen. Thomas
francis Messher sent by Hancock 10 represent
the Union army the matter The Union and
rebel gcEcrsls-who, by the way, are old
quantances-met che neutral ground and had
quits an interesting conversation. General Pryor
was dressed IN the homeliest manner, with blue
pants gray shirt and loose homsspun coat without the
isss, insignia TO indicate his rank general General
Meagber the contrary atired in appropriate mi
form, Of such texture and finish his aristo.
cratic tastes would naturally lead him so display.
There was quite contrast In the mat;or
Of between the generals when the
interchange ci cigles ended and the purposes "
the meeting Of the generals mentioned
a,wb, fhnf hal
been displayed side without the least authority
from any proper scurco and by General Meaghe.
our behalf, distinctly and indignantly repudisied Gen.
Hancock scpt word 20 the effect that it Gent
without his sanction VI his knowledge, and that
the guilty parties would be found punished rben
was suggested by General Pryor that IL wished
into any such arrangement IN the proper
nc had doubt the commanding general Of the Con.
felcrste forces would accede 20 any bic
proposition might make. This a rather
cool statement Tor General Pryor 10 mako, when
80 many u tl9 confederate killed and wounded
than Of within picket lines. or course,
hc immsdiately informed that bad proposition
whatever TO make! but General Meagher m turn re
marked that II the Confederate commander moved ny
the feelings Of humanity which faisht prompt
him 10 ths matter, should desire aud request
brief suspension o' hostltes sor the purpose
of enabling him bring in ths wounded he had no doubt
no obscioa would ne nterposed on our side Bat Pryor
sai he had 10 proposition to make. General Seagher
proudly replied that he haa Aud 40 il was
ssrood octwcon therl that the whole affair was pro-
coedng caused hy the Clrclessnoss * subordinate
officers and entirely snrulled The interview vas
irioujy, and conducted Ia pleasant and tzuiaed
manner throughout Some II the rebel officers who nc.
coDponied General Pryor Irehmen. rhey entered
into ersaon with General Beaaher It was inter.
es,ns to see men OF the sams nationality, aud Of
foreign country, nrrsyec on The opposing lines this
civil contest
"Is pity that we're lighting each other said Cen
Moasher, "nsesd Of whipping the world" The Irish
ohcer laughed and made appropriate numerous reply
20 the ssc, that the Irish fought the bost on either side
when the interview ended The parties retired within
thsir respective lines.