The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-18

TIE Palmetto BUTzox a S-TrIcIEyz Pass.
4 writer in the South Carolina Spartan rs
lates the following in teresting incident:
Lieut. Col. McGsirto, of the iTtn Mississippi
regiment, waS kind enough to accom- pauy rue
in my tour OF duty IS field ctticer, IN visiting
the several regiments and inspesEins the sew
eral posts OF pickrtS StzstsrIHAd On Butts Eun
at tho seYerai fcrdtF bridges and crossings. I
hope / will bs paTconed ror mentioning an in
cdent that was realty more pleasant after the
occurrence than white occurring. After par
taking OF the kind hospitality OF Ccis. Wn-
liaEs, Foster and Major Baxter OF the Sd ra-
giment, who were encalaped at Mitchell 3
Ford on Bulls Run, we proceeded down the
Run. irnIuediately On tue banks Of She stream
following & narrow pathway &c Wolford
Ford. about one mile distant from Col. viii.
ians' camp, to inspect tha picket from Col.
w. y regiment, staLioned 10 guard that crcas-
ing. There we found strong picket, strict
~ and rigtdiy perfcrIning the impor tant duty
assigned them.
We approached The zen tinel, announced our
bus sipsss and Cficial posltion for the day. The
pichets all turned out and recstyad us kindly.
All were enursiy strangers 70 each of us. At
ter examining the ford and giving the instruc
lions ordered 10 be given, we bade them
adiau, and passed down thu Run, in continue
ton Of the tour OF examination. After bs wing
gene aboa. 800 yards down the creek we
stoppcd few moments 70 e1amins an Old
crossing placs. When looking up the stream,
We saw sergeant and three soldiers full Til.
III Ccr Us, Witn guns SoffANu orCsilQg US 10 matt
and approach them, which command we
readily obeyed. Az we approached the ser
geant and guard We found that each had his
gun cooked and finger on the trigger. ready 70
blaze away if we had not promptly hailed.
Tne sergeant remarked, II am fear fui, sirs
we have net done our duty in permitting you
to visit and pass orr pickets without first
having shown your pass. We don't know
who you ars. We are not TO know you with
out q pass or signal. You may he spies for
ALI va know I stated TO him Lbat the
commanding General had appointed me field
officer OF the day, and had ordered rs to visit
that post. but had not given me any pass,
not deenling it necessary" "Thst may all be
me some authority" I remarked 70 him
again that had no pass, aud that the only
evidence could give him Of who wae, and
that was not an enemy, was ny Palmetto
buttons. He heartily and readily replied,
"Oh that viii do, Eiat viii Go II yoa have
on Palmetto buttons you can certainly pass. ="
encouraged him in the prompt and yigilant
performance CT his daty, and eade him Kind
adieu.
We then crossed the Ran in Fairfax county,
and proceeded several niles down to Union
Mill, where we found @ strong picket station
ed. One entire company of Virginians, from
Col. KEN per's iVirginia) Regiment encarnped
near by. The pickets we're stationed near one
mile tnicGiy on both sides of the stream -
This picket vas really without The limits OF
our brigade. As I approached each picket ]
stated the object OF my unission, bat that hue
no pass, and that the oniy osldenee could
give or show OF who was or where Was
from was ny Palmetto buttons, v7hioh &c
every picket was a really and current pass
port, with a pleasant smile and graceful sc.
lutte from each one as we passed After reach.
ing our camp we felt truly gratifed that we
had passed the ordeal safely and free from
arrest or bullets, aud considered 1t not only
an honor, bat the highest privilege, 70 weal
PaiIastto buttons.