The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-05-20
HOW THE PICKET QUAILED.
An Amusing Adventure on the Advance
Line During the Late War.

One cold and cloudy night in the
early part of the winter of 1862 Bill
- was on picket at an outpost near
the little Brick Church" known to
comrades of the Army of the Potomac as
..Hartwoods." He had backed his mare
into the edge of piece of woods, from
which he had Il view of a large open
field in his front; to his right at short
distance was u road leading to ''Kelley's
Ford" and one to Warrenton. In the
vicinity of these crossroads there had
been at divers times shots fired out at
pickets in the night by unseen persons
(guerrillas), which caused the pickets to
be more vigilant than in the daylight.
Not more than half an hour had elaps-
ed since the comrade whom Bill had re-
lieved had left and returned to the '.re-
serve" some half-mile distant, when
Bills ear caught the sound of stealthy
treading upon the dry twigs and dead
leaves directly in the rear of where he
was posted.
1t was a common thing in those days,
in that part of the country, for hogs to
be seen running at large in and around
the woods, consequently at the first
sound of this treading that reached his
ears Bill paid little heed, thinking it was
a hog roofing the leaves. Presently the
same noise was heard. At this second
interruption his mare pricked up her
ears and made an uneasy shake of her
head, as was her custom when on such
duty and any strange noise reached her
keen ear. At this uneasiness of his
dumb companion Bill stroked her silky
neck to assure her he was on the alert.
H. ho1 oaosaH h,,t Pill had A
made q knot in his bride rein and
placed it over the pommel of his saddle,
examined his carbine near the hammer,
put his hand to his holster to make sure
the revolver was in a handy position,
and assuring himself that all was right
as regards firearms, cautiously peered
into the darkness on all sides in hopes
that he might discern the intruder of his
quietness-
Again was heard the mysterious tread
ing sound! Bill pressed the sides of his
mare with his legs. and she instantly
wheeled fright about and faced the
woods.
HALT Who comes therep'' Bill call
ed aloud. All was as quiet as the
tomb.
There sat Bill facing the woods, with
deadly aim of his carbine in the direc-
ton from which the sounds had come,
feeling as though he weighed 200 pounds
(actual weight 1859 and could blow any
three 'guerrillas" out of existence.
Once more he heard those steps Sc
lightly crushing the twigs and leaves.
Clickl went the hammer of the car.
bine.
Whir-r-r! whir-r-r! sounded the rush
of the unseen bodies. The mare raised
herself and struck a; vacant space with
her fore feet. Bill felt his hair standing
on end as he grasped the butt of his re-
volver, and waited the expected attack
The discharge of the carbine had
! aroused the reserve" and the sound OF
galloping horses feet andsthe changing
of sabres against the riders spurs Bill
distinctly heard as the reserve patrol
drew nearer and nearer to his rescue
He could hear the pickets on his left
challenging the horsemen as they ap
| preached their posts.
Presently he heard his nearest COM
rade inform the sergeant that ''Bill had
been shot or had fired at some ID
guerrilla"
He had faced the mare vnce again to-
ward the open field, and was quietl,
laughing to himself as he stroked the
neck of his faithful companion.
"Halt! Who comes there?" Bill wal
heard to again call forth.
Sergeant with picket patrolI'" was
the reply.
'Dismount sergeant! Advance and
give the countersignr'
The order was obeyed and an explana
| ton made The patrOl was notified IA
advance, and when Bills comrade
came to where the sergeant and Bill
were they found them enjoying hearty
laugh over the alarm caused by a hocl
of quail. Grand Army ReUieW.