dusty blue lines other Union regiments returning to their lines after participating in battles.
the depleted band the condition of Henry’s regiment on returning from the offensive.
ragamuffin interest the soldiers’ uniforms were tattered and torn (a ragamuffin appearance), yet the soldiers still had a keen interest in overhearing the conversation between the colonel and the general.
black words between officers the possible verbal confrontation between the general and the colonel is of great interest to the listening regiment.
the colonel’s manner changed from that of a deacon to that of a Frenchman the colonel’s initial response to the general’s criticism of the regiment’s efforts was “to defend with vigor” (a deacon’s response) the regiment’s actions; instead he chooses “to respond diplomatically” (a Frenchman’s response).
elfin thoughts of or like an elf; here, meaning that Henry realizes on his return to his lines that the regiment really had not accomplished very much. What they had done they had exaggerated (fantasized—“elfin, fairy-like”) into something more than what was actually accomplished.
