It was April and Lincoln had been re-elected. The telegraph wires were humming; Lee had surrendered his army to Grant. “Hoorays” filled the air in Washington, DC, as hopes of the war coming to an end excited people"s minds. Crow and Stump stood outside the hospital tent in civilian clothes. Crow said, “Well Earl, did you think it would ever happen?”
“Hell, I really didn"t think I"d live long enough for it to happen!”
The army, after Lee"s surrender, was reducing its ranks. Earl and Crow had decided to take the opportunity and get out. Crow asked Earl, “You said, that Barley and McCauley would meet us at the Red Rooster saloon?”
“That"s what they said,” replied Earl. “They also took the opportunity to get out. McCauley said they had a few things to talk over with us.”
Twenty minutes lat
