Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.

October 13th. The long roll called us up very early, before daylight. We turned out on double-quick time leaving camp on the run, out on the Winchester Pike. When out a short distance came to a halt. After waiting a while, was ordered to return to camp. Wondering what it meant. Later in the day we heard that Mosby and his guerillas captured a train on the B. & O. R. R. between Martinsburg and Harper’s Ferry. The train was badly damaged, passengers robbed. Mosby knows every road and path in this section.

October 1st to 12th. Nothing special has taken place between these dates. Picket duty, and plenty of hard work, has been the order of each day as they come and go. Business is improving in the town. Many places are opening up, ready for business. Trains running quite regular. Lieutenant-Colonel Peale returned to the regiment, taking command, after being absent about two months in Washington, D. C.

September 30th. At Harper’s Ferry with the prisoners, having been on duty all night. Had a great time talking to the rebs over past experiences. Met one, formerly from our old home town, Norwich, Conn. Turned the prisoners over to the commander of the post, when we returned to Martinsburg. As soon as we arrived went right on duty, after being up all last night. Picket duty and working on the railroad. The guerillas are at work. Old Mosby keeps us busy. They managed to steal horses, and get the best. Our boys are kicking over the hard work on the railroad. Trains are running regular again over the road. This is an important line, through, on to the west. Business is improving, judging by the number of trains.

September 29th. Early this morning our regiment ordered out in light marching order. After line was formed we marched out on the Winchester Pike. About a mile out we came to a halt at the roadside, waiting for some cause, under arms. After waiting a long time, late in the afternoon, a marching column could be seen coming down the pike. It proved to be a large number of prisoners under cavalry escort. We relieved the cavalrymen, taking charge of the prisoners. Marched them through the town to the railway station. Loaded them into box cars. Guarded them to Harper’s Ferry where we arrived about midnight.

September 28th. A provost guard of our regiment is on duty in town to preserve the peace and protect the business interest, which is improving. Service is now held in all the churches. All is quiet. Many seem to think that the war is about over. The rebel sympathizers do not, say they will never give in.

September 27th. All quiet in our camp. Martinsburg is beginning to resume business again. Stores are opening up. As far as can be known, no enemy in this vicinity at the present time. Trains are running to this town.

September 26th. Weather fine. Nothing of a special nature has taken place so far, but the hard work continues. Our camp is in a pleasant location. We enjoy it all we can, but do get very tired with the hard work put upon us.

September 25th. Hard work and picket duty continues. There is much kicking by the boys over the hard work. It’s out of our line. We are soldiers and here for that purpose, not laboring men working for a railroad company to help build up the line, doing very dangerous work.

September 24th. This morning details were made for picket duty and working on the railroad and the telegraph lines, doing the work laboring men ought to have done. The enemy destroyed about everything connected with the railroad. I was detailed, with twenty men, to report at the station to the road-master. Our equipments were left at the station, while we loaded telegraph poles on flat cars, distributed them along the road, and helped to set them. We were obliged to throw the poles off from the slowly moving train. It was hard and very dangerous work for inexperienced men who were so near used up from hard service during the year. We were thankful when night came and we could return to our camp to rest and sleep.