As soon as I came up, the Colonel says: "Boys, the General wants two level-headed chaps to go out beyond the pickets to the front and toward the left.

I have selected you for the duty.

Go as quietly as possible and as fast as you can; keep your eyes and ears open; don't fire a shot if you can help it, and come back and tell us exactly what you have seen and heard, and not what you imagine or suspect.

I have selected you for the duty.' "He gave us the countersign, and off we started over the breastworks and through the thick woods.

We soon came to our skirmish or pickets, only a few rods in front of our works, and cautioned them not to fire on us in going or returning.