The men begin to realize that the battle is over. Longstreet sees the Union men cheering a general, sees them raise the blue flag of Virginia — a captured battle flag — and Longstreet turns away. He heads back to camp knowing he can't even quit.
There is a new stillness tonight — no music.
Longstreet is black, thinking of all the men who died that day. Lee arrives accompanied by the still loyal men. He speaks privately to Longstreet, who is silent. Lee shows vulnerability and weakness, something Longstreet cannot resist, and Longstreet responds to Lee's request for help with the retreat. Lee recovers his strength and speaks of doing better another day.
Choking on so much death, Longstreet cannot be silent. He tells Lee he doesn't agree and feels he cannot go on leading men to die for nothing. Lee speculates on why men die, and that they die for their own reasons. Lee indicates he will go on if the men go on. After Lee goes, Longstreet walks out to the field "to say goodbye" and then orders the retreat.
