It is 3 a.m., and Fremantle reflects on the coming battle and what an uncivilized hour it is for things to begin. Breakfast has an air of “seize the day,” and Fremantle is anxious not to miss the battle today.
Fremantle observes the command meeting with Lee, Longstreet, and Hood. His emotions are high, and he feels a part of this group of “Americans,” Americans who are really “Englishmen.” He thinks much about the similarities and differences of Southerners and Englishmen, and Northerners and Englishmen. He feels the war is really about the South being like Europe and the North being different, and he concludes the great democratic experiment has failed.
Moxley, Longstreet, and Hood all indicate that the battle will be a bit later, although Longstreet really wants to wait as long as possible for Pickett to arrive. Fremantle rejoins the other Europeans to discuss Napoleon, theories of war, and women.
