After the attack on Fort Sanders finally ground to a halt, Gen. Lafayette McLaws received the following Union message:

“General : Under instructions from Major-General Burnside. commanding the Army of the Ohio. I address you this communication for the purpose of offering a cessation of hostilities for sufficient time to arrange for the removal of your wounded lying in front of my lines.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bowen, assistant adjutant-general, the bearer
of this communication, is authorized to make such arrangements for this purpose as may be agreed upon.
Your obedient servant,
ROBT. B. POTTER,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.”

After getting permission from his commander, Gen. Longstreet, McLaws accepted. And, with so many dead and wounded to get out from the ditch in front of Fort Sanders, the truce was later extended.