The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-06
INCIDENTS OF PICKET LIFE.

A correspondent Of the DanyiIle virginia. Ap-
peal, i'll a sprghtly letter to that paper gives the
following description vi life on picket and iii the
trenches il General Lees army:
Some time ago order ISSUED by our COM
manding general prohibiting deserters from the
enemy entering our lines, and the tickets in
structed waive them back, and If they did not 20
to fire upon them. For week after the pronulga-
ton of this order, many attempts were made by de-
serters to enter lines, and it amusing to see
their signals and signs, that they were al right,
while our boys would hot understand them. The
consequence was that in little while the stream oi
deserters ceased to flow, and We thought ourselves
rid of such troublesome customers forever.
We hold Il line III close proximity to the enemy,
the riepits occupied by the pickets being Ill some
places only fifty yards apart; but an arrangement
existed preventing firing by either party upon the
other During this $ arnistice," frequent attempts
were made by the Hanks to exchange papers and
swap coffee for tobacco; but orders strict and
officers alert, that opportunity was allowed,
had the inclination prevailed, to trade with the en-
emy. Among the tricks resolted to by the enemy
to hold communication this They would write
anything they desired to communicate upon small
piece OF paper aud roll it around Mimic or grape
shot and throw it across the line. One Of these
missiles brought over the following:
''Johnny you trade papers with us We
have all about the capture of the Alabama, the raid
upon Harper's Ferry, &c. Meet Tue half way you
need not bc afraid OF our shooting You. We can
have Il friendly game Uf euChre, and wind up with
whlskey."
Johnny Reb.Is the Fifty-third Virginia still
this line l have two friends i'll that regiment
got acquainted with them while exchanging papers,
and think they nice fellows, from appearances.
Toss your reply over as do this
No notice Was paid to these communications, and
after the deSerter5 Were stopped for some time, our
general became desirous to learn something OF the
enemy's motions, and issued order Offering a
fifteen days furlough Tor u captured Yankee. Now,
as soon as this order made known along our
picket lnes everybody wanted the furlough ani all
sorts Of tricks were practiced to entrap Yankee.
Our boys commenced shaking papers and beckon-
ing, but blue bel-breast "slnelt Il mice" at ~
much fondness expressed Ill II moment, and faed to
come out Of his hole.
Some good stories are told upon some OF the boys,
two Of which l remember just here
A reb starts out with paper, and pistol con-
eealed to meet Yankee who showed himself III the
woods fifty yards from our pits: Getting within
five steps Of Yank, he presents his pistol and cries
out, Surrender - but just then another Yank,
close at hand, pokes his gun around tree and
''Swap papers, damn you, and get you gone"
Which reb did Ill fast time.
A good one is told two young officers who
wanted a furlough. One goes out unarEled with a
paper, and waived 1t for some time to entiee fank
over while the other stood ready to rush "
his assistance.
After a while burly Irishman came up, and the
captain at once grappled him aud endcavored to
ledd him in. But Irishman was too stout and
shoudering our spunky little captain, was walking
of with linn, when up ran the lieutenant with pis-
toll, and freshman "eavei in" and was brought
over u prisoner, but General Pickett said he
couldn't give a fuilough upon any such capture as
that, and sent the Irishman back as he wasn't taken
with arms in his hand.
The Yanks toled oil one of our men, and Butler
sent him back by flag Of truce; but the outlaw was
not recognized, and he carried the man back. How
ever, he afterwards turned the man loose, and hs
came walking III with papers, stating how he had
been "gobbled up" and snatchad0H
Then came General Order No. IS, and We TOSSED
them over the lines In q day or two the ordel
worked like charm, aud they came rolling ia b,
the dozen. We sometimes get fifteen deserters n
one night; all claiming protection under Genera
Order NJ. W.