The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-01-20
THE pIcKET's RusE.

Z
Private Joel Snaps, Of hard.
working, rough-sinewed regiment OF
Vermont volunteers, was good
SHOT and smaIt soldier. He found
| great sati' faction in picket duty, and
hardly came IN after days exercise
in lllat branch Of military without
having report to make to his so-
perior officer Of some new work dis
covered, some conyers ton overheard.
some little circumstances perceived,
that might be Of use in gaining IN al.
vantage over the enemy.
joel was a long, lank, yelow-haired
fellow. moi very soldierly in speech
or bearing, but oriuauiiely more scrv.
ice than many a one Of our snug. dap
per, wclI-lookng. city soldiers. He
was ffighlIully sun-lurned and his
face, toarse-feaur d and demurr. suc-
gcstd good.lumor and power Of en-
durancc, more than courage or discip
line. But here was n twinkle about
hi. small grey eyes, which cnliyened
them despite their scan'y aud char
acierlsss white iasbes. and impressed |
tie closer sort &C observer with n
wholesome respect for his courarr and /
intelligence. His nasal voice and |
drtwl, his round shoulders and fiat
build could not 81 axe this respect SO .
long a. one tcJi lose cenr. cool, far
seeing eyes in sight; and .Ioel's cun.-
rade- pfuhesied that he had only to
b have hinlseli, AID keep on his own
way. to gain pair Of epaulc;,es one
fine day.
lie openly declared that manual Ii.
Dor on the earthworks WAS distastefnl
10 him; and his officers, knowing his
value on picket duiy, cvinced enough
consideration for linn to keep him at
that service.
The position thai he liked best was
on the slope Of a Hill, opposite simi
lar slopc, occupied by a sentinel Of
he Couieslerates. This last was quite
a high biz Of ground, whence one
nightsce a grta, deal that WAS going
Dn about The batteries further down.
Joel believed hat The sentinel there
'tationtd learned more than was well
or our side. He accordingly haras-
ed aud annoyed every one that show.
ID his head on the hill side opposite,
Ind left several adventurous fellows
stretched out on the turf, one after an
,iher, rs reward for their temtrity.
Il was nearly quarter OF a mile
n; bu, as said, the long Vermont
II was a g,od shot, and it became
eally dangerous Tor the enemy pick
q 10 shew themselves a, al, near tile
orbiddeu blu sid~. They soon learn-
d their lesson, aud very soon acled !.
pon il.
Joel saun,ering down bis path one !,
me afternoon, heard sharp report.
nd f.l, the wind Of rifle ball iha, 7
sme wonderfully near his head
'urning gu ekly, he saw the smoke !
oating up from little pile Of fresh
arth on the bill opposite. The en- /
nv had dug pii. wherein the scni- )
Ell could cit at ease, and expos BIZ !.
cad and arms only when be- hrd.- !.
'rivate SHAPES ha.len,d with rrai.,.- !,
'orlhy pFaaenc TO gel out II .ighs.
p ong somc cellars. ard waiclird fnr
otne time be'ore quite fixing the b. \
aiio q tbs toeman agais,. !.
ri u dis. oserrg tie fnsh earth !
nre more, as.d iu,agining ,l,m b. saw )
ia, just above il. be took = shs. in !.
'e direction. W pesged tall sen !,
mel. bArsheadsd. ard returned the :,
Re Instantly lie ID oal be. Try.
IS 'he Ga 'nek &; pett4g s h.t en