The Shasta courier., 1861-12-07
One of ofsecesh's Pickets.
BY oRPHEus C. KERR.

The star-spangled banner, my boy, in tri,
umph shall wave DER the land of the flea
and JEFF Davis grave. The march of the
Grand Army has commenced, amid the roar
of excited cannon and the shrieks of every
roasting pig and traitorous chicken within
reach of our confscating pickets. We have
taken the upper Potomac, my boy, by cup
de main /; and | saw six brigadiers take the
Oath yesterday by hic-cslp dc brandy. NV
head swells with patriotic pride when | cas-
ually remark that the Mackerel Brigade oc-
cupy the post of honor to the left of Bull
Run, which they also left on the day we cele-
brated. The banner which was presented to,
us by the women Of America, and which it
took the orator of the day six hours and for
ty minutes to describe to us, we are using in
the shape of blazing neckties, and when the
| hard up sun of Virginia shines upon the glo-
rious red bands around the sagacious necks
of our veterans, they all look as though they
had Just cut their throats. The effect is CORY,
my boy-extremely CORY and respectable.
At the special request Of Secretary Sew
ard. who wrote six letters about it to the
Governors of all the States, l have been ap
pointed picket of the army of the upper.
Potomac. In your natural ignorance, my
bow YOU may not know why man is called
a picket He is called picket, my boy, be-
cause if anybody drops pocket book or
watch anywhere. his natural gifts would
| cause him to piek-it up. If he saw pocket,
he would not pick-it-oh, no! But piek-it
picket. -.
| The Picket, my boy. has been an institu-
ton ever since wars began, and his perils are
spoken of by some of the high old poets in
these beautiful lines
1.-THE chap thy tactics doom to bleed today
Had he thy reasons, would he poker play?
Pleased to the last, he does deal of good
Aud licks the man jast sent to shed his blood y
am weeping. my boy.
While on my lonely beat. about an hour
ago, light tread attracted my attention,
and, on looking up, | beheld one of secesh's
pickets standing before me.
''Soldier," says he, ''you remind me OF
nv grand mother who expired before | was
born but this unnatural war isss- made us
enemies, and must shoat- -y96. Give me
chaw terbacker'i
! He was young man, my boy, in the prime
Of life, and descended from the First Fami
lies of Virginia. That is to say, his mother
was virgin. At least, that's what under.
stand by the First Families of Virginia.
Hooked at him, and says L:
Lets compromise, my brother.''
''NeverI" says he. ''The South is fight.
ing for her liberty, her firesides, and the pur-
suit of happiness, and desire most respect
fully to welcome you with bloody hands to a
hospitable grave
Stand of ten PAGES, says l. .'and let's
see whose name shall come before the coro-
ner frst.'
lie took his place, and we fred simulta
neously. l heard ball go whistling by
barn about quarter of mile on my right
tho al I
secesh picket approaching me with an awful
expression. of woe on his otherwise dirty
countenanee.
''Soldier,' says Ire, twas there anything
in my head before you fred ~
Nothing" says !, save few harmless
insects'
II speak not of thcm,' says he. s.Was
there anything inside of my head ~
"Nothing!a says I.
swell, , says he, "iust listen now."
lie shook his head mournfully, and heard
something rattle in it.
ssWhat's that ~ | exclaimed.
:. That says he. :. is your bullet, which
has penetrated my skull, and is rolling about
in my brain. die happy, and with an emp.
ty stomach; but there is one thing / should
like to see before l perish for my country.
Have you quarter about your
Too much affected TO speak, l drew the
coin from my pocket and handed ii to him.
The dying man clutched at it convulsiyefy
and stared at it feyerishly
This, says he, lis the first quarter I've
seen since the fall of Sumter; and, had
wounded YOU, | should have been totally un-
able to give you any quarter. All, how
beautiful it Isl how bright, how exquisite,
and good for foir drinks But have not time
TO say all ! feel. ;"
The expiring soldier then laid down his
gun. hung his cap and overcoat ON the
branch Of a tree, and blew his nose.
lie then died.
And there l stood, my boy. on that lonely
beat looking down upon that fallen type of
manhood. and thinking how singular it was
he had forgotten to give me back my quarter.
The sight and the thought SO effected me,
that was obliged To turn my back to the
corpse and walk little way from it. When
/ returned 10 the spot, the body was gone
Had it gone to Heaven? Perhaps so. my boy
perhaps so but l haven't seen my quar-
ter since.
Your own picket,
ORPnErs c. KERR
HasAiaytoia Correspondent. n. J.. lNercury