Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-20
A Dialogue Between Rebel Rtflemeu and
Berdan Sharpshosters at Yefktswn.

Berdan Sharpshosters at Yerktewn
Tkam Correspondence Of Milwaukee Sentinel. ]
Many exciting scenes occur while on picket
duty, especially among the Sharpshcoters ard
the Rebel Ri1emea. Very often they will lie
for hours within short musket range of each
other, and while they watch closely the move
ments Of one another, exchange no shots what
ever. At other times, the rebels will, even
after promising not to do so, fire vslleys o:
bullets from rife pits, and sometimes by pla-
toons of infantry, into the Union lines, under
hope, probably, Of laying cut an occasional
picket. Up to this time, however, but one Of
the Sharpshooters, as a picket guard, has been
laid out, although narrow escapes are Of fire.
quent occurrence now. Often coat Is pierced
from a,neighboring tree, or the breath short
ened by whiEzing bullet, which makes tho
intended victim exclaim mentally: clay low,
sonny, or your cake's all dough-" At the
| same time sending rifed pill back which
generally makes the febel Who last fred con-
sider somewhat before risking another shot.
At times, as 1 said before, the rebels are
quite communicative, as the following dia-
lOgue, which occurred yesterday between Jos.
D., of Leeds, Wis, and one Of them, when
within ten rods of each other, will show:
The parties were separated by a low, deep
swale, covered with water and thick brush,
and were unable to discover each others per-
son, joe nearing noise on tne other $40,
yelled out IN loud voice:
"Hallo, Mike! Have you got any tobacco?''
Secesh with strong Hibernian accent
"Yes, be Jasuc, and whiskey, too"
Joe-Come over, wen have a quiet smoke'
'l'll meet you half way"
Joe agreed to do so, and advanced some dis
tance through brush and water, and then stop
ped
secssh-"where the divil are ye? Are ye
comm ?''
joel IN half way now. Can't go any fur
ther without swimming"
Secesh-''Haven't We boat?"
JOc-"No, have not"
Secesh-''Where'5 yer gunboat ~
Joe-"DOwn taking care Of the Merrimac. ="
Secesh-"Then come over in that big bal
lOon.'
Much laughter along the rebel lines
Joc-"Hsve you boat ?''
Seoesh-"I have sure; and L IN comm over -
Joe then inquiries the rows OF the day, and
if bis companion had Norfolk Day Book.
seoesh replied-"I have. Have you get a
Tribune ?"
Joe answered that he had not.
Secesh-''Where's General Buell?"
Joe-.Buell's ali right, and surrounds Beau
regard"
Secesh-"where's General Prentiss
Joe Where's johnston"
Another rebel laugh.
Joe-"HOw about Island No. 1927
Secesh-"Rhat's evacuated"
Joe-"How is it you left 100 guns and 9 600
prisoners?n
Secesh-"suIe, they (the prisoners) were not
much account"
Joe-"How about Fort Pulaski"
Secesh-"That be id II was only rebel
sand bank: But tell me what made ye leave
Bull Run?'
Dick B. (Union)-"Ws had marching or
dersn'
This caused great laughter among the rebels,
some exslaiming, "Bully Boy ~
Dick B-"Where's ZOllicOffer?''
Secesh-''Gone up the spout
Joe-"Why don't you come over?"
Seeesh-"Can't get through the id brush,''
At this moment rebel bullet come whizznp
fred.
Secesh-''Some d-d fool over this way"
An order was then issued to cease firing.
JOe-"Ain't you coming? What regiment do
you belong tor;
Secesh-'lsth Florida. What regiment do
you"
Joe-''Derdan's 1st Regiment Sharpshoot-
ers"
Some of bis comrades here warned him to
look out.
Secesh-"Would ye shoot fellow?''
Joe rcplied-"No, but will stack arms and
smoke with you, if you will come over
here rebel officer ordered him back, and
the secessionist refused to communicate further
The above Is the first friendly communica-
tion that has taken place between our scouts
and the rebel pickets. All previous dialogues
were made with bullets and shells.