Addressing the enemy
Some of the writing and drawings expressing military pride and bravado also addressed the enemy. This was particularly the case in Virginia, where sites of graffiti repeatedly changed hands as Union and Confederate forces fought over the state.
"At Brandy Station, the corner of one room contains a cluster of Confederate graffiti including the boast “Battle of Beverly Ford April 16th 1863 Yanks caught hell.” At a later point, a Union soldier has written across the Confederate inscriptions: “The Army of the United States of America.” The “S” of “States” has a huge flourish striking through the report of Union defeat underneath."
"At Morgan Chapel, a Union inscription says, “look out Johnny Reb for we are coming. And by the help of God we are bound to lick you traitors.” A later Confederate reply written underneath says, “You did not at Lynchburg and Winchester.""
Exchanges between Union and Confederate soldiers could also take the form of drawings. At Landon House, the regimental history of the 155th Pennsylvania Regiment recorded that Confederate soldiers had inscribed "some recording disloyal epigrams and other epitaphs on Abraham Lincoln." In response, Union soldiers "recorded tributes far from complimentary to one Jefferson Davis and the Southern Confederacy, indulging at the same time in loyal cartoons of Lincoln, Washington, etc."
Also at Melrose Cave, "a single Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia competes with the “Stars and Stripes.” This might be one of the last flags raised by the Confederacy to still fly. It is missing its thirteen stars, and the angled lines were clearly carved with little concern to contain them within the square outline of the flag."