Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-03-27
OUT on THE PICKET LINE
A Soldiers Incidents OF the
CiTIl. War
Swimming the Rapidan After Tobacco
The Two Cavalrynen's Fate

ton Republican, gives the following
incidents:
When our command was in front of
Washington, and the vicious system
OF picket firing had been put an end
to, frequently met on the outpost
many of my college mates from
Georgetown University who were in
the Union ranks. They used to twit
me for deserting my "unionism,' for l
used to wear the red, white and blue
cockade when at college, but l got
even with them one evening when a
section of my company gobbled up
whole line Of Federal pickets. That
was on the occasion when General
Mcclellan held a grand review of his
troops beyond Arlington Heights, and
| presume the forward movement we
made was intended by General Johns
ton to ascertain whether General
Mcclellan Was preparing an immediate
onset on our lines. At any rate l can
say it now, although it was absolute
neglect of duty as sergeant of the
guard who had charge of the prison
ers the same night, | winked at the
escape of my old schoolmates, and per-
haps some Of them now living in the
city recollect the matter we'll. When
| / had become more seasoned and de-
i isciplined in warfare, they would not
have escaped so easily. Then | would
have held my own father if he had
been opposed to our cause
A funny incident that | recollect-
as incident to the topic herein talked of
occurred on the Rapidan river in 1868,
when the armies Of the Potomac and
of Northern Virginia were face to
face. At that time, having full conf
dence in the strategy Of General Lee,
we believed that we would finally win
the fight. And that was in spite of
the fact that rations were getting aW-
Aufay 1oW. DuG VIC pIChelS VI clCutl
side of the river thought there was
dearth on the one side Of the tobacco,
and on the other side of coffee, and in
spite of the official orders they deter
mined to exchange commodities. Strict
orders had been issued by the Confed-
crate generals against any intercourse
between the opposite armies, and. in a
measure, the edict was properly re-
garded. But it happened that young
fellow belonging to federal regiment
stripped off his clothes and swan
across the Rapidan to exchange with
the rebels on the next bank He had
nearly got through with his "dicker'
when the brigadier- general of the
Confeierates came along. and the
\ ank hid behind clunp of bushes.
The general knew his men and their
practices, and, forcing his horse be-
hind the bushes, he discovered the dis
c0mfited federal The Confederate
general agreed to release the illicit
trader on the condition that he would
do SO no more" But apart from
that there are tragic circumstances
brought to my mind. | have seen
many episodes in the war between the
States. but have never seen one that
enlisted my sympathies more than the
incident | Will attempt he1elncto de-
scribe.
On a cold day in the latter part Of
December, 1862, the writer's company
was picketing on the bank Of the Rap
pahannock, Immediately at the point
where Burnside's lower pontoon bridge
was laid. The river here is two or
three hundred yards wides swift and
deep up to the bank. Two Fedora
cavalrvmen came down to the
opposite bank and shouted to US tha
they had lots of coffee and sugar
which they wanted TO trade for tobac
co. They were told 10 come over a.
they SAID they had boat. They came
across, ana after the trade was com
p!e.eI they started back Now tn
men We're dressed q their heavy over
coats. with capes and high cavalr,
bots and spurs, Tie boat was sma.
p..1k Sow, and We saw when the.