Cockfighting at General Orlando B. Wilcox's Headquarters Before Petersburg

[TranquillityBase]

Gathered by a tent
under a crude thatching of pine boughs
on camp chairs, or standing, or sitting
on the sandy loam
smiling at the fight to come
or watching the cmameraman's intent
(one, arms folded
seems deep in thought
unaware or disapproving)
encircling two kneeling freedmen 
who hold the angry cocks eye to eye
with outstretched arms 
just above the battle ground.

In the center
but outside the scene
an older man sits
legs crossed
a letter in his right hand
noticing
but not a partisan of either spectacle.