August 14th. This morning finds us still in line near Cedar Creek, and skirmish firing continues, but we are reminded that every battle kills a soldier, some one’s dear friend killed, as we see them brought in from the skirmish line. We continue to watch one another from the hills. Sometimes the enemy will run a section of field guns up a high hill and throw a few shells over our way. A hot skirmish at Hupp’s Hill. Near our line is a very high hill. Our boys have a habit of going up it to watch the enemy. Guards have been placed there to keep us away, as we might draw the enemy’s fire. A shell coming over that hill would no doubt drop in the midst of our regiment. The weather is fearful hot, day and night. No trouble to sleep.
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.
August 13th. Early this morning our regiment took position in line, having been relieved from picket and skirmish duty. We can see the enemy over on the hills near Strasburg. Skirmish fighting is kept up between the lines during the day. We watch one another from the hills. Both sides open up once in a while with field guns. All is quiet this hot night, firing ceased.
August 12th. When near the enemy we are always routed out very early in the morning before daylight, in line to guard against a surprise. A hot dry morning. On the march across country. At noon, stopped near Cedar Creek for rations and a rest. Soon we began to advance in line, to the left of the pike, coming up against the rebel skirmish line. Soon a hot fight was on. We drove them back. As usual they had the shelter of the woods. Night coming on, the enemy having fallen back, our regiment detailed for picket and the skirmish line. Our company, C, remains at headquarters with the colors, being color company. Located on the north side of Cedar Creek, on high ground. The enemy, under Early, at Strasburg and Fisher’s Hill, about four miles from our position. The battle of this date is known to us as Cedar Creek.
August 10th. A hot morning. Marching orders came early, to be ready to march at the report of a signal gun. It will be our first movement under the command of General Sheridan. The advance is in three grand divisions, the 19th Corps on the right, the 6th center, the 8th on the left along the river road. Signal Corps and cavalry on the advance. A part of the time we advance in line of battle. We watch, but do not understand, the work of the Signal Corps. Those boys seem to find the highest hills to work from. After advancing about ten miles, ordered to camp for the night. While all is quiet we are reminded there is trouble brewing for us. The boys talk and discuss all the movements of the day, as night comes on, and wonder what the morrow will bring.
August 9th. Pleasant morning. Camp near the river. Just at this time we are taking life easy. The boys wade the river, taking long tramps through the lots, up the mountain sides. Don’t seem to have any fear of the guerillas who are said to be in the mountains. Perhaps they don’t wish to make their presence known, and are watching the movements of the army now under the command of General Sheridan. All is quiet in our camp this evening.
August 8th. General Phil Sheridan takes command. Reported he will organize a large force in the valley. I witnessed the cavalry corps as they passed along the tow path, along the canal. Marching orders. Again on through Harper’s Ferry, along the Shenandoah River. After marching about eight miles, came to a halt near Halltown, on the river road. Here we find the 6th, 19th, and our own, the 8th Corps. A good place to bathe in the river. Foot of Loudon Heights.
August 7th. A very hot morning. Early in the Potomac River for a good swim. Nothing like it. At the Quartermaster’s I drew an army hat. The first I ever had. They are worn by the western boys. Much better than caps. Trying to keep cool during this hot day. Wrote a few letters. Mountains on all sides. Turkey buzzards in the air.
August 6th. Anniversary of my enlistment. Two years in the service. Rain this morning. Marching orders came early. Left camp, crossed the Monocacy River and the B. & O. R. R. Roads very muddy. Hard marching as we go up and down hills. On over South Mountain, descending into the Pleasant Valley. After marching about fifteen miles we go in camp near the Potomac River. Late this afternoon the weather became clear and fine. Camp located on high sandy ground. A number of the boys are ill at this time and must leave for hospitals. All is quiet tonight. Hope to get a good rest for we don’t know what tomorrow may bring to us.
August 5th. Early this morning had a good swim, after which I lay down under a large tree near the river. Had a good nap and rest. Then wrote a few letters. Very late in the afternoon orders came to fall in and form line. We marched into a large open field and formed three sides of a square, when orders came that a deserter from the 34th Ohio Regiment was to be executed at sunset. After waiting a while we heard the band playing a dirge. Soon the whole party came in sight, six armed men in front of the deserter and six in the rear. At his side walked a Chaplain. Behind all came an ambulance with a coffin. When all was ready the deserter sat on the coffin, blindfolded. Orders came to fire. I saw him fall over on the coffin. Don’t wish to witness anything more like that. Besides being a deserter, it was reported that he was a spy, having enlisted in the rebel service. All I know about it is the talk about our camp and other regiments.
August 4th. Fine morning. Had an early swim in the good clean waters of the Monocacy River. Later hunted up some bait, sat under a large tree to try my luck at fishing. Always keep a hook and line by me. Had very good luck. Dressed the fish at the river, went back to the camp, cooked them, and shared the fish with the boys. Only trouble was, I did not have enough for all our company. A battle had been fought at this point a few weeks before, between the forces of General Lew Wallace and the Confederate leader Early. Additional rations were given to us, one potato, one onion, large size. A long time since we had vegetables. They were all right. We boiled and ate them.
