The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-05-20
HOW THE PICKET QUAlLEp.
An Amusing Adventure on the Ad-
vance Line During the Late War.

An Amusing Adventure on the Ad.
vance Line During the Late War.
One cold and cloudy night in the ear
ly part of the winter of 1862 Bill -
was on picket at an outpost near the
little "Brick Church" known to com.
rades of the Army of the Potomac as
"Hartwoods. He had backed his mare
into the edge of piece of woods, from
which he had view of a large open
field to his front; to his right at short
distance was a road leading to "Kel-
ley's ford" and one to Warrenton. In
the vicinity of these crossroads there
had been at divers times shots fired at
our pickets in the night time by unseen
persons (guerrillas), which caused our
pickets to be more vigilant than in the
daylight. Not more than half an hour
had elapsed since the comrade whom
Bill had relieved had left and returned
TO the reserve" some half mile dis
tant, when Bills ear caught the sound
and dead leaves directly in the rear
where he was posted.
1t was 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. Present
ly 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 uneasi-
ness of his dunn companion Bill strock-
ed her silky neck to assure her he was
| on the alert. Again the noise had ceas-
ed. but Bill had made a knot in his
bride rein and placed it over the POM
| mel 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 him
self that all was right as regards fire
arms, cautiously peered into the dark
discern the intruder of his quietness.
Again was heard the mysterious
treading sound! Bill pressed the sides
of his mare with his legs, and she in
stantly wheeled fright about and
| faced the woods.
Halt: Who comes there?" Bill called
aloud. All was as quiet as the tomb.
There sat Bill facing the woods, with
a deadly aim of his carbin in the direc-
ton from which the sounds had come,
feeling as though he weighed POO pounds
(actual weight 1859 and could blow any
three ''guerrillas'' out of existence.
Once more he heard those steps so
lightly crushing the twigs and leaves.
Click 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 at vacant space with
her fore feet. Bill felt his hair stand
ing on end as he grasped the butt of
his revolver, and waited the expected
attack.
The discharge of the carbine had
aroused the reserve" and the sound
of galloping horses feet and the clang-
ing of sabers against the riders spurs
Bill distinctly heard as the reserve pa
| troll drew nearer and nearer to his
rescue. He could hear the pickets on
his left challenging the horsemen as
they approached their posts.
presently he heard his nearest COM
rade inform the sergeant that ''Bill had
been shot or he had fired at some id
guerrilla"
He had faced the mare once again
toward the open field, and was quietly
laughing to himself as he stroked the
neck of his faithful companion.
Halt! Who comes there?" Bill was
heard to call forth.
Sergeant with picket patrol!'
was the reply.
''Dismount, sergeant! Advance and
give the counterSign!"
This order was obeyed and an ex-
planation made, The patrol was mott
fed to advance, and when Bills COM
rades came to where the sergeant and
Bill were they found them enjoying
hearty laugh over the alarm caused by
flock of ''quail. "-Grand Army Re-
2.ielg