"It was at this time," said Van Courtland, "currently reported and believed in the American camp, that Lee's stock of shirts was reduced to three, and that these were in a state of such dilapidation, that he himself bestowed upon them the ap-propriate names of Tag, Rag and Bobtail. Having been in-vited to dine at headquarters, the following dialogue was said to have occurred between him and his valet." "John !" "Sir !" "I am going to dine today with General Washington and must have a clean shirt. Fetch me Tag." "You have got Tag on, Sir." "Let me have Rag, then." "Rag is in the wash, Sir." "Well then, - Bring along Bobtail!"

Having been in-vited to dine at headquarters, the following dialogue was said to have occurred between him and his valet." "John !" "Sir !" "I am going to dine today with General Washington and must have a clean shirt. Fetch me Tag." "You have got Tag on, Sir." "Let me have Rag, then." "Rag is in the wash, Sir." "Well then, - Bring along Bobtail!"