Pickets on duty - 527550
Picket duty was considered the most hazardous undertaking of any infantry solider in the field. Pickets were often captured, wounded or killed when the enemy attacked. A picket falling asleep on the job faced death by firing squad.
By regulation, picket duty was rotated regularly in a regiment. Generally, pickets were posted 100 yards apart. Only the pickets closest to camp could build fires.
