An interesting incident.
--The National Intelligencer, of
Washington city, learns from an authority which guarantees its entire authenticity, that the following interesting incident took place on Monday last, about 11 o'clock, in front of the
Federal lines on the
Potomac, opposite
Washington:
While five companies of the Twenty-third New York Regiment were on picket duty, one of their number advanced considerably ahead of his comrades, until he observed a man, who proved to be a Confederate officer, beckoning with the hand as if soliciting an interview.
On approaching near enough to be heard, the latter asked if he could see the captain of the company to which the
Federal picket belonged, and on this fact being reported to
Captain Loyden, commanding one of the companies in the 23d N. Y. Regiment, he directed a response to be given in the affirmative, and immediately proceeded to meet the
Confederate soldier.
When the two had approached near enough to exchange words,
Capt. Loyden stated what arms he bore, and asked if the meeting was to be a hostile one.
The Confederate soldier stated that he was armed in like manner, but desired only a friendly interview
Capt. Loyden then advanced to meet the latter, who introduced himself as
Capt. Saunders, of the Eleventh South Carolina Regiment.
The two
Captains thereupon engaged in a familiar and friendly conversation, especially on the subject of shooting pickets, which they both deplored as contrary to the usages of civilized warfare, and which
Capt. Loyden informed
Capt. Saunders was contrary to the express order of his
Colonel, and of all
Colonels in the
Federal lines, who directed their men, when on picket duty, never to fire except in self-defence.
Capt. Saunders next inquired whether
Capt. Loyden was in receipt of any authentic intelligence respecting the capture of forts at Hatteras Inlet, a report of which had reached the
Confederate troops stationed in
Fairfax county.
Capt. Loyden having informed
Capt. Saunders that the intelligence was undoubtedly correct, the latter observed that, if so, it was ‘"a heavy blow"’ upon
North Carolina and the
Southern coast generally.--
Capt. L. replied that in a war like this, between the
Federal; Government and the revolted States, it was to be expected that many such blows would be inflicted before the war was brought to an end. On parting, the
New York Captain tendered to the South Carolinian some cigars for himself and his brother officers — that Southern luxury being, according to
Capt. Saunders, a rare commodity in the
Confederate camp.
The two officers then shook hands, and after exchanging salutes, reversed their positions
a la militaire, and proceeded to rejoin their respective commands.
