- As the men of Tristram's company sit around in the boat, they sing old army songs that they've just recently been taught.
- Tristram and Sergeant Lightbody are sure that they and all their men are going to be killed very soon, and that the "war" has been arranged to preserve the illusion of citizens' "choice" and "free will" (5.5.8-9).
- Tristram receives the letter that Beatrice-Joanna wrote to him, and is overcome by a desire to live.