The National tribune., 1907-01-03
ON PICKET.
A Boy Sentry Looking Out For Forrest

BOY Sentry Looking Out For Forrest
Editor National Tribune: I thought
I would write of an incident which oc-
CURED to me during the days of the
civil war. some time in July or August.
"a, while our regiment was on duty
protecting the railroad bridge and riv-
er ford at place called Moscow. Tenn,
on Wolf River. The regiment to which
l belonged tCo. CD had been engaged
in the usual military duties. The
weather had been rather wet and mud
dy for several days at the time of this
incident. One day our scouts came in,
and reported that Gen. Forests ad-
vance was heading toward our post in
order to get thru to Memphis; that we
better get ready to receive him. So
details were set to work throwing up
additional breastworks and protecting
timbers for the gunners in the fort (the
pieces commanding the railroad bridge
and ford). When the pickets were
strengthened and all precautions en-
ployed that were thought necessary
night came on, rainy and wet, and as
it happened / was on the detail for
picket duty, just across the river (proD-
ably two miles from the regiment), in
the dense pines and marshy country.
My post happened to be near a large
oak, of which a few were to be found
in that place, whose low-hung branches
afforded considerable protection. There
was a road which lay across my beat
(tho it was not much used, a sort of
cowpath grown up with high weeds)
over which I past to and fro, with my
musket at right shoulder" and get
ting very tired and little sleepy,
seated myself on a large root at the
base of the old oak. The rain battered
down thru the low branches, and the
night was very dark except for the oc-
cs.sional moments when the clouds
would part and the moon would shine.
/ had sat there for some few minutes
thinking of home and how nice it
would be if I could then be in warm
bed out Of the rain and mud. when a
peculiar sound reached me that seemed
to come from way down the road, a
sound that is dreaded by pickets gen.
orally. I listened with acute ears, and
the clink of cavalry arms apprised ma
that an armed force was approaching,
and the warning given us by our scouts
made me fear I was soon to be taken
in by Forests advance guard. I ad-
nit that I was somewhat nervous, but
had Springfield with one charge In
it and several extra charges in my
cartridge box, besides the friendly COW
er of the oaks low branches, so I re-
solved to meet the enemy in as good
manner as I could. The ominous rat
tie of scabbards. etc. grew closer, and
rose and slept out from the shadows
of the friendly oak. and looking down
the road I saw dark mass of cavalry
troops almost within hailing. I called
out. HALT" then dropping down flat.
"Who comes there?" At this moment
the moon revealed the officers of a
cavalry force at the head Of their COM
ms tho fn11nyyino ffoy,
occurred between officer and picket:
(P.) "Who comes there?"
(O) Friend, with the countersign."
fP) "Dismount, advance, and give
the countersign."
Officer hands reins to an Aid, dis
advances and, leaning over the
point of the bayonet on my gun, says,
Shiloh"
(P.) "All right What division do
ing?"
(O.) II belong to 0 think he said a
Kansas regiment of a certain division),
and am going to Lagrange, several
miles from here. What regiment do
you belong to. and where did you en-
list from?"
P) II enlisted in Henry County.
Iowa, and am private of Co. G, 45th
Iowa. We are guarding the railroad
UTluSc anu loTu dt MOScOWp SOIQe TWO
miles from here"
(O.) do you smoker"
P.) II do sometimes, when I can
get anything to smoke" Officer pulls
out fine cigar case, extends it to pick
ct, who takes one, when the officer
picks out three or four more, and put
ting them in picket's haversack, then
produces some of those matches which
can be struck in the wind and rain,
lights his own and picket's cigars, and
both officer and picket chat over the
of the situation for several
minutes. Then with a warm shake of
hands the officer returns to his COM
mand, mounts his horse, and l hear
his command, Attention. Forward
march," as the body Of cavalry moves
past me, two abreast; some locked to-
gether in each others arms, asleep;
some were singing, and two horsemen
had a board across their laps with some
kind of provender on it, while nearly
chickens or hams. While they were
passing some good-natured fellows
called out, Say, pard, there's a good
time coming"
Now, / write this incident, hoping
that the officer who played his part on
that memorable night may read this,
and If he will write to me I will be
only too glad to hear from him. Gen.
Forrest did "shy round" our regiment
that night, went on into Memphis and
cut a few capers; but some of the in
valids at the hospital in Memphis got
out after him, and he cut a bee-line
getting away from them, going down in
If he had tackled" the
18th Iowa he would have found a reg
iment that would have stayed with
him. as we were raw soldiers, and
know when the enemy had
enough. We were full regiment, be-
sides being supported by a good bat
terry of several pieces and with a cav
airy detail. so would have made some
business for him.-O. j. Lyon, NJ. D.,
Kan.