Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-17
CnmpnIanInn-The PIol,ets.

The Picket Guard is accounted the most
hazardous and responsible of a soldiers du-
ties. In this position, being Of some inn
portance, he will take care to hold every one
at proper distance lie will bid all
comers, to stand and deliver-the counter
sign. This injunction to stand is perpet-
ual. So that if your commander, who at
all other times would be your superior, ap-
Ironches your picket while drunk, you
are TO bid him stand likewise. lie is shot
if he don't.
These rules would appear to evidence o
disposition to quarrel, or to pick it, as it
were-with everybody, which perhaps sug-
gested the name itself. But after chal-
lenging a man, you are not allowed to fight
him by any Of the rules Of war, nor yet of
prize ring-though you may hold him in
chancery-as it were-and call for the
sergent-at-arms. If he does not see the
point. present your bayonet at him.
In case something moves near sentinel
he will demand "Who comes there 2' though
the object may be going from him. This
rule is general as the articles of war sup
pose in any case somebody is attempting to
"come it, over him. If the party refuse to
stand after being twice bid to do so, give
him proper discharge.
The ordinary sentinel is close to camp
and rarely uses severe measures, but a
picket always goes to extremes. lie stands
under trees twigging Treason, in hollows
watching Deceit, and looks for surprise
upon Raised Browse. Being enveloped in
darkness, he should be careful lest an un-
seen bullet let daylight into him.
If posted in pairs and attacked, one sets
off his gun, while the other sets off for the
guard. 1t is a hard case he should desert
his comrade, but the articles of war say
there is no help for it, If one goes to the
top of hill for view, he will look out for
himself. If he lose his life while thus ex-
posed, the other can run for it. Sentinels
are often required to take to their legs, but
never to quit their arms.
Pickets like little children, should be
seen and not heard. They communicate
with the interior by signals such as flut-
tering handkerchief which would signify
something was in the wind or other sig
nifcant motion. They are not allowed to
build fires, being continually exposed to the
fire of the enemy, which is sufficient Of it.
self to keep man in perspiration. The
poor fellow is debarred his pipe, which is de-
priving him of his solace indeed.
The countersign is sometimes carried off
by the guards, usually by Picket, who
takes it into his head to go over with it to
the enemy. Sometimes it esoapes-the
guards recollection. The Importance of
watch words is vital to the safety Of a
camp, for ifevery one was allowed to enter,
things would come to q pretty pass indeed.
There is wooden stake used to fasten
cavalry horses, which is called Picket, but
must not be confounded with the Picket
we are describing, though many of the lat.
ter are mere sticks to be sure, and are be
ing driven in at that. 1t is remarked tha
soldiers become old and knowing in q short
time-this is hardly to be wondered at how
ever, when it is reflected that in the shor
two hours of q Picket's duty he very Otter
lives an age VANITY Far.