Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-26
Asleep on . Picket.

One of the greatest crimes known to
military law is to sleep on picket duty,
in time of war, with the enemy in force
in front. An accident of this kind
came under my observation during the
late war which made an impression that
time will never efface, and am So is
fed that the other parties to the Incl
dent will ever remember the circum-
stance.
1t was in the year 1862, when eur
regiment was attached to what was
called the "Army of the Frontier"
commanded by General -. Our
duty seemed to be to guard the south
ern boundary OF Missouri, and prevent
the rebels making inroads into the
state. Hence, our service was made
of series of marching and counter
marching, breaking up rebel camp at
one point and then on the march again
to another rebel camp, perhaps fifty or
a hundred miles distant. But some of
the boys said that great many of our
marches we're for the purpose of finding
ont just how far our little army could
march in day, merely to crafty
whim of our commanding general. But
no matter, we did the marching all the
same. 1t was on one of these long
marches OF three days and nights that
we went into camp about nine o'clock
on night in October, 1862, and in
front of us, and but few miles distant,
was a rebel force of twelve thousand
men; force great deal larger in num-
bers than our two divisions. We had
hardly got fixed in camp, when an or
der came to me from division head
quarters to report for picket duty with
seventy five men of our regiment direct
ed by the officer of the day to our posts
of duty, which was to guard the road to
the south, and leading to the rebel
camp, receiving the countersign, and
with it very strict orders with regard to
our duty and what would be expected
of us; that every man should be prompt
and efficient, and every failure on our
part should be visited with severe pun
ishment; and more especially should the
full penalty of military law be inflicted
upon the man who should be found
sleeping on his post, and that was
death! As number of cases of this
kind had lately been reported to the
general in command, he was determined
to make an example of the next viola
ton of duty in this line. Fully i'm
pressed with the responsibility OF the
duty imposed upon me, l was very par
ticular in my orders to the men, and
knowing that they were worn out and
tired with the hard marching, told
them that if they felt that they could
not stand guard for two hours, L would
relieve them every hour, but they said
thaxy yNrafarrcI RI or I'd fhn ~ hnpro
So 1 made my arrangements for the
night, postedmy pickets on three roads,
one being the main Travelled roal to the
rebel camp. This being the most par
ticular point to guard, I doubled the
pickets on it, and after warning the men
to be vigilant 1 returned to the point
where had fixed my headquarters for
our guard. l sat down upon a log with
my army blanket over my shoulders,
and tried to rest the best could, but
not to sleep, as the duties of the sit.
uation kept me sufficiently wakeful.
No sleep for me that night, as about
every half hour made the rounds of
the pickets to see that every one was
doing their duty. The long, weary
hours of the night passed away without
anything to disturb our peace, except
once, about midnight, the report OF two
muskets on the main road called for my
presence there, when found that the
guard had fred at an old horse that
was straying past them, and it being
quite dark they could not see what it
was, so they thought it safe to fire.
Nothing else happe ned until about
three o'clock in the morning, when
was making the rounds and was ap-
preaching the picket o n the main road;
and no challenge coming from them I
thought it rather strange. But as l
walked toward them I saw that they
were both motionless and still. Ore
was grasping his rifle in both hands
little below the muzzle, and the other
leaning up against tree, and both
sound asleep. SO that had to walk up
and shake them before they awoke; as
they opened their eyes and saw me, ter
ror and fear was depicted on their faces,
and the exclamation came from their
lips" My God, Lieutenant" l confess
it was the most trying position was
ever placed in, in my army experience.
To report them would be court martial
and death; to fail to do my duty, and
not report them, would place nae in Q
position where I might be dismissed
from the service in disgrace if it should
be found out at headquarters, and so I
stood looking at the poor fellows. with
the sweat running off their faces, and
no doubt thinking of home and loved
ones who were longing for their return.
and then looking in my face to see II
they could read in it what course l
would take, and their knowing if did
report them the terrible fate that await
ed them. At last 1 broke the silence
by asking them what should do in the
matter, but not a word did they utter.
At last, after talking to them upon the
enormity of the otfense. had them
take solemn oath that never, while we
we're in the service of the United States,
should the matter be spoken of by
either party, a pledge to which, OF
course, they gladly assented. and 1 did
not report them. And if they are still
alive and should see this true sketch.
they will remember that night on pick
ct guard. Davenport Gazette.