Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-27
Our Irmu Correspondence.
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
CANT sEAR WoLF RUN SHOALS, Va, I
March IA 1863


Deay journal 1t is quite possible that
you may wish to know something of the ma
ture OF orr picket duty here, and inssmuch
as that constitutes our principal employment
at present, thought would try and tell you
something about il.
On the Occoquan we do not keep up a reg
ular picket line, because it is impossible to
cross except at the several fords. At these,
detatchments are furnished each day from the
several companies Of the regiments here, and
one or two men of the LIST Mi chigan or ID
pennsylvania cavalry at each ford to act as
orderlies to communicate with the headquar-
ters Of this command But on the Bull Run,
before it emptios into this river, we keep up a
picket line, for. unless the water is very high,
it can be crossed on the stones in its bed by
footmen.
| cannot 80 well describe to you the nature,
or assure you Of the efficiency Of this picket,
in any other way, as by giving you the reports
Of the Field Oficers Of the Day. for two or
three days, which have been kindly loaned to
me from headquarters. These pickets are
visited every day by some Field Officer desig-
mated for the purpose and they make report
to the Col. Commanding. l will copy first
the report for March Sd.
hANf hhAh VOL NUN CHoAl~t va
March 4, 1868 )
To Con. +. V. RANDALL, Commanding Post
Sn--As Field Officer of the day have TO report,
the results Of my visit 20 the Picket Line, the 3ld
inst. that found everything quiet. and with single
exception, the officers and viglant and attending to
their duties in prgsbJ Md efficient manner. No signs
ofihs enemy had bees seenn front Of the picket line
save At the Post near the mouth Of Bull Run River.
The men who occupied this post during the night Of the
Fad inst, reported TO those who relieved them the
morning Of the 3D. that very early the morning Of the
"d,Iust al dag-bieak-they saw asquad Of hofsemen,
which they thought 70 be rebel oavarymen, ride away
from the house on the opposite side u the river.
directed the picket TO watch closely, and II they saw
anything that indicated e-appearauce Of these cavalry
Rt the said house, 20 report the fact TO at once
have seen or heard nothing further from them.
Respectfully submitted,
A. G. BsowE, 1t. Col 1871 VT Reg.
Field Officer Of the Day. for March 3D."
"CANr EEAR WoLF Rus SHoAfs, Va,
March IL. 1868. 4
F.v. RANDALL, Col. Commanding the Post
StR.-in pursuance II my duties ~ Field Officer Of
the day for March 10Th, have the honor to make the
following report:
yitited the picket line the Ocooquan and Bull Run
twice Found the men attentive TO their duties. Both
cavalry.
IL was quiet on the line through the night
l am, with respect, your ohedieni servant,
LRvi q. KINGSLEY, Mai l2th W Reg,
Field Officer Of the day"
WOLF RuN SHOALS March 18Th 1868
SIN As Field Oioer Of the day made the tour Of
posts but three communicated the orders received
your headquarters y the officers at the and
Sergeant to the pos.s which could not reach
found bith oficefs and men on the alert. and from
all could learn, faithfully d.charsing their duties.
have the honot to be very respectfully,
your ,bedient Ser ant,
l.. ID. CLARK, Major 18th Reg Y. V. NJ.
To Coz. f. " RANDALL Commanding POST
The following think will be found very
interesting
ID