The Nevada Democrat., 1862-07-31
NUMBER GAG
PERlLs oF PrcKEr nurY

One Of the correspondents in McClellan's
army gives thrilling insight into the per-
lis of pickcting in Virginia.
1t will be remembered that kind OF ar.
rangement was made, months ago, that
plckets were not 10 fire Mt each other, II be-
Ing considered sort Of murder. not iust.
fed by the rules of civilized warfare. pnl.
lie opinion ratified the compact, and ayery
where expressions Of satisfaction were
heard. Those, however, Who Imagine The
soldiers have any regard for the measure.
so important TO themselves aboAe all others
bad better not indulge 10 the pleasing illn.
sion. Nearly every minute, Crack, .
"Crack, give and take--with an occa.
sional shell, which rattles uncomfor,ably
close TO the camps, through the trees sur.
I'unding them. 1t is a common matter TO
see the body OF fallen soldier borne from
The woods by bis companions, and the nu-
merous wounded are quite unnoticed. A
Union man killed, and his death must he
avenged. II don't take long 10 make the
resolution, and in few minutes "bang'
goes the rifle. If the shot has gone straight,
a shout of triumph from The avengers soon
announces il 10 those outside awaiting The
result One must see picket party 90 on
duty in order TO thoroughly appreciate
their dangerous task. Knowing not when
or where they meet the enemy, or from
what protecting tree a 81 OF may speed upon
its fatal errand, the pickets do The work as.
signed them much In old Indian style.
Dodging from tree to tree, and stump 10
stump, their practised eyes zee every move.
ment. The rustling of a single branch is
just matter of suspicion, and The "Whip.
poor-wll's" cry is but the feint of some
adroit enemy. Woe then TO the form five
hundred yards distant. A second, aud The
rifles sharp crack tells of another soul gone
heading to eternity. Back comes an indls.
eliminating vClley; II is returned very po.
litely.
The picket Is up to all manner Of tricks.
His main point is to draw The enemy's fire.
That done, and for the moment. he feels
safe enough TO show his head One of our
recruiting parties the otherday carried out
the figure OF man, done up in very thor
0ugh style. 1t consisted of suit of FEEDER.
oil clothes, topped off with an .otIicer's fas
tigue cap, aud only wanted animation 10
make il live addition TO our Potomac ar.
my. This figure was carried towards The
enemy's pIckets and carefully laid behind
q log. Several soldiers lay beside il, and
in order to draw on the rebels fired a vol
ley. Soon they came skulkingFfrom tree TO
tree. and when within two hundred yards
The head Of the lgure was elevated slightly
above the log, aud musket with II In or
der TO make the "scare" look geunine. A
shot came, but the "soldier" dropped in
season 10 escape injury. A moment more
and up went the head again, this time
bringing dozen shots. Our ingenious
boys, all ready, sprang up from their hiding
place, and gave the rebels an unexpected
volley, which did considerable execution.
A common method Of drawing fire Is TO
hold up the cap, and let II receive the shot
but both sides play at this cunning game.
which seems to be mutually satisfactory.
The soldier learns fast particularly the
picket. His life hangs upon but a slender
thread, and danger makes him on expert.
There is no duty so perilous, and no death
so inglorious as bis, In the soldiers estma-
tion. Enthusiastic men talk Of the glory
of death on the field. but say nothing about
the honor Of dying by soIen shot in The
woods The practical man can see bat lii
tie difference; the enthusiastic volunteer,
a great deal. But it's all a matter Of taste,
however diverse may be opinion.