The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-03-13
A REBEL. OFFICERS EXPERIENCE.

On the night of the Sd Of July. 1864, we
were ordered back from the line at the Dead
Angle. and. as luck would nave it, the
writer of this was detailed with twelve lei
as a vidette to crawl on our hands and knees
out about ten yards in front of the works
through the abattis and other Instructions
to watch the enemy while the line was
gradually falling back. First went the
line of battle and then the skirmislers,
aud then to Il great joy VI left our posts
posts that night we ran a great risk, for if
we shook a bush or made the least noise,
we would hear the unwelcome firing OF a
mimic bullet at once, and they came pretty
close, too. if they were fired in the dark.
We had orders not to fire our guns under
any circumstances, so we could not reply
to the calls we had. Ii was our province
to watch and listen, and, if crowded. to
jump and run.
Well, the men were placed, one by one,
III zigzag line as well as they could be in
the dark by the writer, he having to crawl
out and post one and then come back after
another until they were all arranged. Then
it was the duty of the officer to 20 along
the line and see if they were doing their
duty, that is, lying down and keeping
awake-not much trouble to keep awake
that night, l assure you. Well, on one of
the tours of inspection the officer got a little
off the line and it being crooked, too, he
got clear outside of the line and got turned
| around so that he could not tell whether
he was going to his own men or not.
While creeping along in this frame of mind
| ran up against the muzzle OF a musket
right against my bosom, and then heard
the click, click Of the cock. Well, the
past life of the writer came NJ before him.
All the meanthings he ever did were passed
in review in a few seconds, for it was only
a short time that it took to pass through
this trying ordeal.
He was afrail to catch the gun, for it
would make the man at the other end of it
pull the trigger, and then goodbye. SO be
asked. WHO is thata. No answer. Then
he said. III Won are Federals, | am your
meat Still no answer. IF you are
rebs. | am your officer" No answer yet.
The sweat was pouring down my face
about this time, | tell you. The soldier
took his gun down then. don't know why,
for he took me for a Federal soldier as my
clothes were dark and had o a black hat.
However, the gun was down and the writer
was down, too, lying prone on the ground
by the soldier, and he saw Who it was that
/ held the gun. 1t happened 10 be a man in
( the regiment that was considered a little
oft about the head. in fact ''sorter queer,
and then the scare came on good, for he
had no more sense thar to shoe anyhow
if he had been one Of the other men they
would not have cooked their guns and
would have tried to find out who it was
creeping along there.
Well. the reaction came to my nervous
system and | was as weak as water; il the
enemy had come on us then, ! could have
been taken in sure. as it would have been
impossible to get up off the ground. Well.
the poor fellow was frightened. too. when
he saw how near he had come to sending
me 10 my long home. At a given signal,
which was about twelve o'clock. we moved
back TO the works. and then we lost no
time in catching up with the rear guard,
which we found about two miles ahead OF
ms. | should add that the vidette lime
right along there did not get inspected any
more that night. Southern Btr0gac.