The Shasta courier., 1864-08-06
True Incidents in the Army.

A correspondent of the New York Times,
writing from Headquarters Army of the Po-
tomac, June llth, gives the following:
Yesterday an order was issued by General
Meade, forbidding unauthorized communica
tons with the enemy. The men on both
sides have been holding intercourse with each
other for Interchange Of newspapers and the
barter of coffee and tobacco, In this way
great deal of mischief was likely TO result. as
information OF vital Importance is ALWAYS apt
TO leak out. The opposing lines OF he-pits.
it must be borne in mind. are not hundred
yards apart-in some parts Of the line much
closer For any portion OF the body to be
exposed. the penalty is certain wounding, if
not death. But the men are utterly weary
of loading and firing. They have kept up
this heavy skirmishIng for days, and no visi-
bic advantage has been gained by either side.
The tre gradually slackens. Officers become
careless about urging the men to their work.
taclt and magnetic spell influences with
equal power our own men and their mortal
enemies. 1t is very curious. The comba-
tants are entirely hidden from each others
sight. The last shot is fired, and the lull in
the battle storm is perfect. Adventurous
spirits on both sides cautiously raise their
heads above the earth works. = How are
you, Johnny p" How are you, Yank ~ are
questions usually banded. Wont you
shoot?" says one. No." saws the other.
g Well, We womb chime in all, and imme-
dlately the parapets are swarmed with the
men who have been concealed and protected
behind them. Out jump the fellows from
the rifle pits, and putting down their guns
stretch their cramped forms upon the grass
Ghor -,
perches in the trees and roll abont in utter
abandon. Trade is quickly opened, and all
sorts of commodities are exchanged. The
men have keen pleasure in their singular
Srmistlce. bantering each other sharply, and
never overstepping the halfway line which
separates their respectable foriilicaton. Sud
denly the cry is raised Run back John
nys,n or = Run back, Yanks, just as it hap
pens to be, " we're going to Shoot and the
hostilities begin again. 1t is always under.
stood, however. that the first shot Shall be
aimed high, and the veriest dawder gets back
to shelter While this fraternal scene is be-
ing enacted on one limited part of the line,
the battle RACES hotly at either portions of
the extended front. which measures by mnes
Was ever such strange warfare known be-
fore? 1t is easy enough to see, however |
that these anomalous episodes may be abus-
ed. The rebels avaiIed themselves of such a |
truce the other day TO strengthen a battery
which had been reduced 10 silence, and kept |
sill for nearly week The work, conse- |
quently. has had to be done over again | I
have seen a great many prisoners lately. |
Their appearance entirely refutes the very |
current stories that the rebel army is in des /
titufe and starving condition. 1t is simple |
idle to talk about starving the enemy into sub ,
mission. The rebel soldiers as a general |
thing, are stout, strong. and the very picture
of health. 1t is insulting to our own brave
men that the statements so industriously cir
culated respecting the feebleness and lack of
power of endurance of the Southern soldiers
should be believed The rations of the rebel
troops may not be in as great variety as those
farnshed to our men. bat they have proved /
to be fully as nutricious. The fact cannot
be gainsayed