I just ran across a great article discussing the compassion that may have taken place in the battle of Fredericksburg
QuoteCrouching on the other side of the wall, the Confederates who had inflicted such devastation on the unfortunate federals listened to their enemies' piteous pleas. Some no doubt reveled in their grisly work, but most remained silent and grim-faced, knowing that the Yankees' horrific fate could have easily been their own.
At last, the wounded men's cries became too much for one rebel soldier to bear. Sgt. Richard Kirkland, Company G, Second South Carolina Infantry, left the lines and made his way to the nearby Stevens' house where his brigade commander, Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, had his headquarters. According to Kershaw's later account, the young Kirkland said he could no longer stand to hear "those poor people crying for water" and asked permission to go over the wall with filled canteens to relieve their suffering.
Source: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/the-angel-of-maryes-heights/
Another story I'd never heard before. Thanks for the link chief.
A very moving story. Thanks.
Back in the 60s, the centennial, I'm pretty sure that Life magazine had a painting of this.
The entire article is worth reading if you haven't yet.
There is some dispute whether it was one guy or many, but most accounts seem to agree that at some point at least one Confederate went over the wall to help the Union wounded.