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| courtesy amazon.com |
From the Covington Journal of October 26, 1861 comes this story of a different sort of Confederate tactic.
The Rebels on the Potomac have resorted to an ingenious way of luring our men into snares. It is known, says the Lafayette Courier as the "cow-bell dodge." and it was very successful for a time, especially with newly arrived regiments, companies of which were placed on picket duty for the first time. The rebels, approaching within thirty or forty rods of our outposts and concealing themselves in the woods, commence the irregular tinkle of a cow bell. The uninitiated picket, not suspecting the ruse, and not reconciled to drinking his coffee without milk, goes out to obtain a supply from the supposed cow of some supposed Virginia rebel, flattering himself that he has got a "big thing on Secesh." Not until he finds himself surrounded by a half-dozen or so armed rebels does he learn his mistake. In Richmond are nearly a dozen soldiers who are probably now regretting their ready credulity and appetite for milk.
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It reminded me of this story that I had posted a few months ago.
This piece reminds me of a related one I posted recently on my blog The Bell Whether: http://bit.ly/pCIYeQ
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool. I guess they were all in a "whatever works" type of mindset, which is understandable.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice-looking blog. I'll be following it now. I see your latest entry is from "Brother of Mine." I read that a few months ago and enjoyed it.