The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-02-19
time when the boys returned laden

time when the boys returned laden
with choice beef.
During the night the army was
moved out under cover of tile darkness
and recrossed the Rapidan. The march
back to camp was very severe. The
boys were nearly or quite ont Of rations
with the exception of fresh beef and
all were completely used up when
camp was reached We had the
pleasure of going into the quarters
which we had SO recently left and we
soon had them in first class condition.
Our camp was beautifully situated
We could see for a considerable dis
lance along the line and at night when
the camp fires We're burning brightly
and the tents we'll lighted it had the
appearance of large towns only short
intervals apart and extending away in
the distance as far as the eye could
reach.
can recall nothing in camp life
more pleasant than the winter at Bran
DIV Station. Fine weather was the
rule and when the regiment was in
camp. ball and other games were in
order. Picket was the only really dis
agreeable duty we had. The picket
line was eight miles from camp and on
account of the long distance to march
all details were made for three days at
time. OF course the boys had their
regular fun while OH this duty. On
one occasion | was on the detail and
had command of twenty. six men. We
were stationed on open and high roll
| ing ground nearly due south of the
town of Culpepper. An officer rode
along the line as soon as we had been
parted and gave the orders to those in
command. There was no countersign
on this occasion and the pickets were
not allowed in front of the line when
off duty.
We put our tents up in circle leave
ing an opening in the centre for the
smoke to escape and with good fire
beneath the opening we were compare
lively comfortable. There was quite
respectable plantation in front of our
camp 1t was not more than quarter
of mile to the buildings. The boys
noticed good looking calf about the
place and they at once laid plans to
take it in. The last night of our
picket duty was selected for its capture.
Just as night came on one of them
came to me Tor PERMISSION 10 go out
side of the lines. told him what the
orders were and that any disobedlence
of that order was punishable with
death. further told him that should
any of our pickets go beyond the line
and it should come to my knowledge
/ should certainly report them. then
added that l was very sleepy and that
l should at once roll up in my blanket
and go to sleep. was soon safely
tucked up and at once commenced to
snore. 1t was not more than five
minutes from the time / laid down
until heard the picket challenge and
then all was still. In almost incred-
ible short time the sentinel challenged
again and then came his order "Adyance
one and give the countcrsign," aud
then as the leader of the foragers came
up to the sentinel he exclaimed in a
tone loud enough to be heard at quite |
a distance away. "The countersign is |
veal, if you don't believe it look here"
and he slapped him across the shoulder
with a quarter of the veal. tt
still continued to feign sleep even |
after they had gathered around the fire
and were busily at work broiling and
eating. can not recall the names of