Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-09-20
SOLDIERS STORIES.
"REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed on the Battlefield and
I'm Camp-veterans of the Rebel
lion Recite Experiences.

0CoALd ONCupISu NY Tic AWSAticLA
Corps the pickets often entered into an
agreement not to fire for anywhere
from half an hour to three hours. The
picket lines were so close together that
a Yankee whisper could be heard by
the Johnnies. The show of a head or
any part of body meant shot, and
usually wound or death. When the
pickets became so weary from sitting
in the cramped picket-pits that life
was an almost unbearable burden a
truce was called for. If the call came
from the Confederates it was in this
way, or way very similar to this:
"Yanks, how do you alls feel?"
Like Satan, or worse. These picket
pits give us the cramps"
That's our fix, too. Suppose we stop
the killing for an hour or SO while we
stretch our limbs and get rested"
mighty glad to make such a con-
tract"
Cali right. We will let up three min
utes from now and give you three min
utes to get back into your pits before
the shooting begins"
at is bargain"
Then these brave men climbed out Of
the pits, Strengthened their legs,
stretched their arms and talked to each
other on as friendly terms as so many
farmers who had met at line fence
might be expected to do.
By and by the man who led in max
ing the contract stepped out from his
associates and said: I'm sorry, Yank,
but the time it up. Hunt your holes
and watch OUT
When the boys were safe in their
graves, as the picket-pits were often
called, and as they sometimes proved,
Yank called back, I'VE are fixed John
MES; let her silver"
And they "slivered," both sides.
1t was murderous business, that pick
ct firing, much Of it.
The pickets of the Second Massachu
sets and Third Wisconsin made such
an arrangement with the men over
there one hot afternoon. Things went
along charmingly for more rnan an
hour, when young officer appeared on
the Confederate line and ordered the
men to go to firing.
1--WE can't do it, SIR" said the ser
geant eve have agreed with the Yam
KEGS to quit shooting for two hours.
The time is only half up"
Sergeant, order the picket to begin
firing at onse."
81 can't break my word with the Yam
KEGS, SIR
Then I will. Begin firing, every man
Of you"
Not man touched his gun or started
for the pits.
The young officer seized a gun and
shot at the Union pickets. That was
the signal for our line to open fire. The
balance of that day the Confederate
pickets in front Of those two regiments
didn't shoot to kill. Those who didn'9
shoot in the air separated the chunk Of
lead from their cartridges blanked
them.
That night a dozen or more of the
pickets left their pits and crept into
the Union lines, giving as their excuse
the conduct of the young officer. Their
haversacks were filled the next morn
ING by the Massachusetts, and WiscOn-
sin boys as they started on their jour
ney north. French leave? Precisely.
Surgeons and chaplains were not ex-
nected to get around where there was
much danger. Some of them did, how
ever.
DR.. D. Cooper Ayres, surgeon Of the
Seventh Wisconsin, father of Captain
James G. Ayres, of the regular army,
very seldom missed battle-the whole
of it, When he saw sure signs Of
fight he would give careful instructions
to his assistants and the hospital stew
ard what to do, buckle on a sword and
insist on going in" At first his colo
mel objected; once he ordered him back
to care for the wounded, but counter
manded it after DR.. Ayres had explain
ed his preparations for the wounded.
When he became brigade surgeon he
had a hard struggle before the COM
mander gave his consent for the chief
of the medical staff to serve as an aid
in battle. This surgeon was always
one of the jolliest Of the staff on the
eve of a fight. He jollied the young
fellows, and in a fight was here, there
and everywhere, cheering the men with
expressions not often heard under SIM
liar circumstances Here are few of
them: "Give it to them, boys; they will
never tell on you!" Push them back;
they have no business to come out and
shoot at visitors this way" pitch
right in lads. and finish the job at once
and We'll all go home!" ~'You can't go
home and see your mothers until those
fellows are whipped, boys, so give it to
them real hard!" Don't be afraid,
BOYS, so long as the surgeon is around!"
DR.. Ayres stood near the first man
wounded on the right of his regiment at
the battle of Gravelly Run. Dismount-
ing, he hurriedly wrapped a bandage
,bo,,+ tho mans arm told him where tn