Then companies A and F were relieved from picket duty by companies B and D. The work of

these men on the picket line and the relief of the parties was quite interesting and exciting

to the observers in the rear and looked like a very pretty game. But to the participants,

it was not pretty. Our picket reserve station was in the Emmetsburg road in front of the

regiment. The road was sunk in there nearly two feet, affording some protection at the

fence. The picket line was at a fence about 200 yards in advance of the reserve, and the

line of rebel pickets about the same distance further on, some of it by the trees in the

bliss orchard. Our men lay flat upon the ground by the fence, hidden and somewhat protected

by the posts and lowest rails. Nothing was visible usually to fire at, yet when any movement

was apparent a shot or two would follow from vigilant watchers. Then the rising rifle

smoke would attract retaliating shots. When the reliefs went to their places, there was

excitement. The relieving squad would leave the reserve rendezvous, moving in any way

possible to avoid the observation of the enemy. But when a place was reached where exposure

was unavoidable, each would take off a running at highest speed and upon reaching the fence

would throw himself at once upon the ground. The start of the pickets from either side

to or from their places was a signal for a lively popping all along the line of their

opponents as long as a man was in sight. Not many of the runners were struck for to hit

such a rapidly moving object as a difficult feat, but the pop, pop, crack, crack would

go on all the same, and the eagerness to hit would make some shooters careless, so making

themselves targets for some hidden watchers.

At Henry Stevens, 14th Connecticut Infantry, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac.

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the 370th episode of our Civil War Podcast. I'm

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