“On Picket; The Plan of Picket Duty”
“On Picket; The Plan of Picket Duty”
Name: Sgt. Asher C. Hinds
Date: February 9th, 1863
Location: On Picket 5 miles from Camp
Unit: 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry
On Picket, 5 miles from Camp
Monday Feb. 9, 1863 -Morning-
My Dear Mother,
For the sake of allaying all possible fears and assuring you of my still continued existence. I take a pencil to write a few words upon my knee. We are out for 3 days picket duty. The weather is delightful and the robins are singing, and all seems like a morning in early May in New England. Our picket duty is the outer one of infantry; three miles beyond our cavalry videttes and scouts. Many families are thus (hemmed) right between the two lines, and being forbidden to cross, are thus prevented from “going to the store,” to purchase the luxuries of civilized life. I am on the reserve about 10 rods in rear of the picket line, and have two companies under my command. It may be a little interesting to you to learn the plan of picket duty. Cavalry are stationed at a distance in the front. In case of attack they retreat to the infantry. Then one line, which is in an open field, retreats to us who are concealed by a thick wood. We, two companies, then hold our ground or retreat as the case may be. This you see gives the, “Ground Army” a good chance to guard against any sudden surprise and so resist the enemy whether in force or in small (?) partners.
Biography:
Sgt. Asher C. Hinds was born on January 7th, 1840, in Kennebec County, Maine, to parents Asher and Lucy Hinds. Growing up in a bustling household with five siblings, young Asher attended school in town, laying the groundwork for a future that would be shaped by the tumultuous events of his time.
In the year 1860, Asher found himself pursuing higher education just as the nation was on the brink of a devastating conflict—the Civil War. The echoes of secession and division reached every corner of the country, and on April 12th, 1861, the call to arms reverberated across the land. Without hesitation, Asher enlisted on June 4th, 1861, joining the ranks of the 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry as a Corporal.
As part of this regiment, Sgt. Hinds found himself thrust into the heart of the conflict, with his first significant encounter looming on the horizon—the Battle of Williamsburg. In a letter written during this tense period, Asher conveyed the anticipation and anxiety felt by his comrades as they approached the battlefield. Fortunately, the Confederates retreated, sparing Asher from the horrors of direct combat.
Asher's dedication and skill on the battlefield did not go unnoticed, and he was duly promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His leadership and commitment to duty set an example for his fellow soldiers, earning him the respect of both officers and enlisted men.
Tragedy struck on March 6th, 1863, when Sgt. Asher C. Hinds fell ill. Despite the challenges posed by wartime medical care, Sgt. Hinds was granted leave and returned home. However, the ravages of illness proved insurmountable, and on that fateful day, Sgt. Asher C. Hinds passed away.
Sgt. Hinds' life, though cut short, is a testament to the courage and sacrifice exhibited by countless individuals during a tumultuous period in American history. His legacy lives on through the letters he penned, providing a poignant glimpse into the experiences of a dedicated soldier during the Civil War.
