The Louisiana Tigers reported a number of instances of trading with the enemy while on Rappahannock picket duty in early 1863. They claimed truces were made and hand carved boats carried tobacco and newspapers (the only things they had to trade)across to the Yankees in return for coffee, sugar and tea. One Tiger even got a Yankee to mail a letter for him to occupied Louisiana. Some men also accepted invitations to cross the river and visit. One said the Yankees were from the "Old Northwest" and were tired of the war and "could not digest old Lincoln's actions calling for negro troops." The Tiger reported the enemy soldiers were willing to meet in the middle of the river "and shake hands with us and never fire another gun." Then there was a New York native in the 6th Louisiana who discovered some old friends were across the river and swam over to visit. They were shocked at his emaciated appearance and tried to get him to desert. An officer reported he drew himself up proudly and said he would remain with his ragged Rebel friends. "He declared that he had embarked in what he considered a righteous cause, and if it would be the will of God, he would die fighting for it." These incidents are in my book "Lee's Tigers."