Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-08-07

uloouy uceu- itwaS IN 'front.' OF IctcrShurr
where the opposing works wern from 90 10
30 rods apsrt and the picket lines from 30
70 20. Our regiment was divided into two
hattallons and occupied two fortified knobs,
called forts l belonged TO the Second battal,
ion and one day had charge Of several
picket posts on theright OF the First hattal.
ion, about 50 rods distant as the bind flies,
from the fort. But owing TO the cussed.
ness OF certain bloodthirsty sharpshootcrs
on the Confederate side the distance wns
moro than half again as far-that is, In 90.
ing to and from the picket line, even al
night, we wero compelled for safety 70 steal
along the ditch behind the brcastworks for
about 50 rods, then stoop and follow a coy
cred way running zig1Rg toward the picket
line, which was parallel to the main works
SOrods In advance OF them. Even these pr,.
cautions did not insure n mans life and |
could go now TO certain spots on our brig.
ade front where officers and soldiers in
scores and hundreds were shot down while
passing ON some errand OF camp routine
during hours of peace, ms unsuspccting OF
danger MS one would DO at home,
The posts on my beat began at the inter
section OF the covered way and tho picket
line. The post nearest TO tho way was
headquarters for that section OF posts and
was constructed TO afford shelter forsevcrnl
men. II was made OF saplings, laid above
one another, banked up on the outside with
earth. These structures, known as picket
pits, were about four feet high and were
loopholed for an outlook Directlyin front
of the pit speak Of the Confcderates had a
picket post about 40 rods distant and In
front OF TINT toward our limo, WIS a thick.
ly foliaged treo-a cedar / believe. That
post and tree and the tall swamp grass sur
rounding them became notorious MS the
lurking spot OF n Confederate shArpshootcr
who made IL his special business TO kccpup
fire on the exposed stretches uf our cover.
ed way. This fellow became known by
some terrible nickname which bavc for.
gotten, given him by our men and adopted
by his own comrades US very appropriate
1t will be just Us well il simply call him
"Snake-ln-the-Grnss," for We never knew
from what particular spot ho would strike
his venomous blows The day speak OF
there was what VIC call picket truco--that
Is TO say, by mutual agreement there was
20 be no firing on the picket limo At such
times the men Of both sides walked freely
back and forth between their brcastworks
and picket pits, and sworn enemies ven.
turcd close enough to be able 10 converse
across the bloody chasm. Now and then
they met for Handwriting, exchange Of
newspapers, etc. These truces were nnofli.
cial, but they had the effect Of stopping tho
firing Rnd making existence OF soldiers IN
tho trenches quite cndurable. AZ such
times the pickct's duty was OF course only
q nominal one. He was TO fcmnin at his
post until relieved In the regular order. il
In a..
rade with whom had served throughout
the war had returned from Anders0nvillo
prison 10 the camp Of tho First battalion.
Naturally was very anxious 20 see him,
and about noon, while tho men were nnas.
ing back and forth freely between the lines
and there being no sign Of danger for which
pickots have TO be on the lookout, strolled
leisurely TO the fort
About an hour before dusk ! started TO
return 20 my post the same way came
that is, ncross the open field between the
brenstworks and the picket limo, saving tho
distance around by the covered way bo-
cause It was unnecessary. At that hour tho
greater part Of the men who had been visit
ing the picket lines during tho afternoon
had retired TO their camps for supper, but
there was no firing, and stepped OF in a
natural pace quite NJ ease. The distance,
MS have said. from the fort TO my post
was about so rods. | had gone nbout half
tho distance when suddenly rife rang
out somewhere on the picket line, just
where did not notice, Immediately fol
lowed by dozens Of scattering shots from
the Confederate side. Before could look
around to see what was up as many shots
were answered back from our lines. Some
Of tho bullr tybiqticd uncon fort al,lv rlosc
but ! walked on, confidently thinking 1t
was only an accident and that n single vol
ley would DO tho end oiit AsI wns walk
ing in line oblique 10 our breastworks |
was only about 200 feet distant from them
and more than GOO from the post where
belonged. However, tho moment shot
was fired It was in a certain sense signal
Ia