This cartoon from the Civil War era depicts two veterans of the Civil War (which was fought over the emancipation of enslaved Black people) greeting each other. What did the cartoonist mean to imply by the caption? A. These two men were equals in each other's eyes. B. These two soldiers who had lost their legs were not to be pitied because they were still men. C. These soldiers had previously met. D. Although they may have met before, these veterans had nothing in common.

Understand the context of the cartoon, which is set during the Civil War era. This includes the period where the major concern was the emancipation of enslaved Black people. Having some knowledge of the period will help to grasp the intended message from the cartoon.

A. If the two men were equals in each other's eyes, it implies that they share the same level of respect, despite which side of the war they fought on. This could be the intended message. B. If the soldiers who had lost their legs were not to be pitied because they were still men, it might indicate that regardless of their injuries, they maintain their dignity and courage. This is another possibility for the intended message. C. If the soldiers had previously met, the intended message might relate two acquaintances seeing each other again, or perhaps recognizing each other despite their injuries. This could be the intended message, but it seems less likely. D. If the veterans had nothing in common, it means that even though they might have met before, their wartime experiences had distinguished them from one another. This seems like an unlikely intended message.

Taking into consideration the context of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved people, we can evaluate the answer options based on their relevance to the historical period. A. This answer option demonstrates a sentiment of unity and lack of discrimination, which is relevant to the time period. This makes it a plausible choice for the implied message. B. This answer option focuses on the veterans' injuries, which could be relevant to the context if the artist were trying to emphasize the physical sacrifices made during the war. It provides a message of dignity and respect, making it another plausible choice. C. This answer option seems less related to the context of the Civil War and more focused on the personal relationship between the soldiers, making it less likely to be the intended message. D. This answer option seems to emphasize the differences between the veterans, which might not be the intended message considering the context of emancipation and fighting for a common cause.

By comparing the answer options and their relevance to the Civil War context, we can determine the most plausible choice for the intended message in the cartoon. Based on the analysis, answer option A and B seem more likely than the others. However, considering the broader implications of the emancipation of enslaved people and the image depicting two veterans greeting each other, the most plausible choice is: A. These two men were equals in each other's eyes.