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

June 22nd. In camp late last night after a long hard march. A good night’s rest. The ground for a bed and the sky for a covering. Sadly in need of rations. On the march pass the ruins of many army wagons being burned up to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy. Many horses and mules are giving out, drop for the lack of feed and rest. It is hard pulling those wagons over these rough mountain roads. All horses and mules that cannot be driven or led are shot to prevent the enemy from getting them, as all they need is rest and feed for most of them. War is a cruel thing. I wish it was over.

In conversation, while on the march, with Captain Meigs, Engineer Corps, he thought we ought to break up the gang of guerillas following in the rear. Asked us boys if we were ready to fight them, the answer was yes. Many are dropping out by the roadside, too weak and used up. Reported we march from ten to thirty-five miles a day. Clothing and shoes giving out. Very little forage can be found in these mountains and valleys. Our route takes us over the Potts Mountains, very high. Our suffering is intense, as many are barefooted.

Just at dark we reach the town of New Castle and go into camp for the night.

Thankful that we are to get a night’s rest. Two of our company found a bag of flour. It was portioned out to each member. Mixed with water we had pan-cakes (toe-jam). We have plenty of coffee, no sugar. A little coffee goes a good ways. Some of our boys stole a bag of coffee from General Sullivan’s headquarters. He was our division commander. Of course it could not be found, as it found its way in many haversacks.

June 21st. After an all night’s march, we reach the town of Salem, Roanoke county, Virginia, located near the mountains. The scenery good. After we came to a halt by the roadside, tired — worn out— hungry, leaning up against a rail fence, I soon fell asleep. Later I was awakened by the cavalry, then had to find my company. By the buildings I should judge that this is a college town. Our regiment detailed as rear guard. Colonel Ely again in command, the wound in the neck having improved. Ordered, with a battery, to march back about one mile, pushing the enemy back and holding them in check while the army wagons and artillery passed through the gap near Salem, Blue Ridge Mountains. While we are holding the enemy in check our Colonel acts as though he was nervous. If the enemy is strong enough, we may get cut off and perhaps captured before our turn comes to march through the gap, we are so far in the rear with the battery. Late in the day orders came for us to march on through the gap into the mountains where we were surprised to see some of the wagons and a battery badly damaged. A portion of the train was not guarded when a dash was made by guerillas who were in ambush in the woods. A detachment of our cavalry was soon on the ground with the Spencer carbine, routed and captured a number of the guerillas. Reported we are headed for a place called New Castle. After a short rest we received a small piece of fresh meat. Pushing along, expecting to stop for the night. Hungry and thirsty. Very little water to be found in these mountains. Footsore and very tired. Wonderful what men can endure. It is either push ahead or be left and made a prisoner.

June 20th. A hot morning. Traveled all night. Most of the time at a lively gait, at times on the run, to keep with the wagons and artillery. Sometimes we would hang on to the tailboards in order to keep up. Don’t know how many miles we have covered since we left in front of Lynchburg. Stopped this morning for rest and rations, which consist only of fresh meat, broiled and fried. We have been informed that this part of Virginia is known as the Blue Gap country. We have not stopped long enough to learn the names of the places that we pass through. We are along the line of a railroad leading to Lynchburg. This railroad, its bridges, and property, are destroyed as we go along. Some of the bridges are over deep ravines. When the bridge is gone, the cars are run over into the deep ravines. They go down with a great crash.

Constant skirmishing is kept with the rear guard and the enemy. The rear guard reports that many of our boys are falling into the hands of the rebels, as they are worn out and cannot keep up with the army. The suffering of our men is something fierce. Clothing and shoes are wearing out. Many are barefoot while we go pushing over these rough roads. We are still guarding the wagon train. At times we are obliged to trot in order to keep up. There is room in many of the wagons so that the guard might ride. It is against orders. Soldiers must obey orders. On the road we pass a few houses once in a while. Inhabitants very few in this rough country. Mostly old men, women, and children. Young men are in the rebel army. These people look as though they were suffering for the southern cause. Very little forage can be found in this mountainous country.

June 19th. Last night, by a forced march, we overtook the army. It was a fearful night. Dark, a part of the time marching over rough roads, through lots, wading small streams, fighting back the rebel cavalry. Glad when daylight came, but no time to stop for rest this hot Sunday morning. Tired, foot-sore, hungry, and about played out, but must keep pushing on or be taken a prisoner. The cavalry are now covering the rear. Again passed through Liberty. A few miles from town, our regiment ordered to lie down behind a hill in ambush, to support the cavalry, they having got in the rear of the enemy. After a sharp fight they were routed, and many made prisoners. After these events we had a short rest and a feed of fresh meat. Detailed for guard with the wagon train for tonight.

June 18th. Not much sleep and rest for us last night. Pickets kept up a ceaseless firing, with an occasional shell dropping in our midst. Could also hear the trains running into town all night. Beating of drums, pounding and hammering, and much noise. Estimated our lines are formed within three miles of the town. Our regiment holds the extreme left of the line. In the early morning the enemy dropped a shell in our midst. Two of our boys were severely wounded, one having his leg shattered, from which he later died. With us on the left was Captain Snow, with his Maryland Battery, which we had to support. The enemy made two attempts to take the battery. We charged them and drove them back into their earthworks both times. That battery did good service, as we could see, when the shells exploded in their works.

Lieutenant Robert Kerr, Company A, had command of our skirmish line. A cool, brave man in charge of a responsible duty, which he performed well. Our national flag was made fast to the roof of a large barn, in plain view of the enemy. They tried to dislodge it. It afforded us some amusement as we watched them waste their ammunition. Later, when they ceased firing, it was taken down. Our Colonel was wounded in the neck by a piece of shell. While painful, it was not very severe. He left the field, putting us under the command of Major Peale, our Lieutenant-Colonel being a prisoner at Richmond. At this point, on the left of the line, in our rear, was a peach orchard. So severe was the firing of the enemy that hardly a tree escaped the enemy’s shells, some being cut down and others had limbs cut off, while many bore marks.

Our regiment, when not called up to protect the battery, was lying down in a road, which afforded us protection. We did lie close to the ground and were protected by a two foot knoll of gravel. At one time the enemy tried to sneak through a ravine to get our battery. We were ordered to charge them. As they fell back we followed them, until we were under a cross fire by our own men and the enemy. Our boys, seeing our colors, ceased firing, as we came to a halt, when orders were given to right face, and forward, by file right, double quick, which soon brought us in our position, just in the rear of the battery. We put in a hard day and were only holding our position, nothing gained. Supplies and ammunition running very low. No prospect of help as far as we could learn, and night coming on.

Orders received that we fall back tonight. We are a sick, tired, discouraged lot of Yankee soldiers. After dark the army began the return march. Our regiment detailed for the rear guard. We cannot leave our position until the army is well under way. Our duty is a very dangerous one.

June 17th. A cornfield was a rough place to sleep for a night, and try to rest. Up early this morning. After a hasty feed, again on the march, along the main pike to Lynchburg. Our advance is slow most of the time, as we drive the enemy along. At times it is hot work. General Hunter, for reasons best known to himself, has ordered the burning up of many fine old Virginia mansions with all the contents. Many fine appearing ladies weep while their homes are burning. All they can do is to look on. One cannot help but feel sorry for them. That is cruel war. When told it was done by order of the General, I heard one woman say, “I would like to pull the General’s nose.” There were some great fires along that Lynchburg Pike. One report was that our men had been fired on from the houses that were burned. They were not all burned, along the pike. It is fight as we advance, at times, making a forced march. Late this P. M. we go into battle near Lynchburg. A hot one. The enemy routed, retire to their main earthworks, near town. We capture two field pieces and a number of prisoners. Darkness put an end to the fight. The battle is known to us as Quaker Church, four miles from Lynchburg. A line of battle having been formed, our guns were stacked, with orders to keep close in line. Getting a little feed, we dropped down on the ground to try and get a little sleep and rest. In front of Lynchburg, Virginia.

June 16th. Last night some member of our company started a small fire close to the root of a pine tree. It was decayed through the center, which quickly caught fire, the blaze shooting out at the top, like a high chimney. The tree being away up the mountain, the blaze could be seen for miles along the Lynchburg Valley. Attempts were made to put out the fire with dirt.

This morning finds us in the mountains, between the Peaks of Otter, the highest mountains in Virginia. Our signal corps climbed to the top of one of the peaks. We get an early start, on down the mountain over a rough stony road. At the same time we get a grand view of the surrounding country. It certainly is fine. Good growing crops in all directions. Passed through a large peanut field. The vines were fine but not much left of them after the army had passed through the field. The advance are skirmishing, as we can plainly hear. Fifteen miles from the Peaks of Otter, we pass through the town of Liberty, after a hot, dusty march. Out on the Lynchburg Pike we go. Hungry, tired, foot-sore, we stop for the night in a cornfield, near New London, after a march of about twenty-four miles. Sharp skirmishing kept up all day, showing the enemy is contesting our advance on Lynchburg. We hear it reported that the Yankee army has never visited this section of Virginia before. With us, it is now on for Lynchburg, which we seem confident that we can capture. We hope so.

June 15th. Up and early on the march this hot morning. Going up the narrow road over the mountains we make very slow progress. The Rebs and bushwhackers have cut down large trees and fell them across the road. The Pioneer Corps are having hard work to clear the road. As we pass slowly along the bodies of dead Rebs are lying beside the road, having been killed by the advance scouts. They looked frightful, with their long black beards and white faces, in death. The road is very narrow and winding as we go on up the mountains. At the side of the road one can look away down into the valley and ravines. Army wagons can be seen down among the trees. We suppose they must have broken down and been pushed over to get them out of the way. It was cause enough to set the boys talking and to help make them forget their own troubles. A hard, tiresome march over the mountains, stopping for the night between the Peaks of Otter, having marched only fourteen miles. Orders are to keep very quiet and not make any fires. Must go without our coffee for the night.

June 14th. Called up by daylight. This morning a hot one. Must bid farewell to this town. The people will no doubt be pleased to see us leaving. We had a very quiet time here. Roads very dusty. Our scouts report the enemy in all directions. The boys are in good spirits as we go marching along, taking observations, looking for points of interest. Passed within four miles of Virginia Natural Bridge. Was in hopes that we could see it. These are rough, stony roads. After a hard march we reached the town of Buchanon, near high and lofty mountains. Here the enemy had burned the bridge. The Engineer and Pioneer Corps made the ruins strong enough for us to cross. We camp for the night in a wheat field. Thankful to stop for a rest, after marching about twenty-four miles. It looks to us as though we shall be obliged to climb the mountains tomorrow. The road leads in that direction. This is a wild looking country. The scenery grand. Very few people can be seen as we pass through the towns and villages on the line of march, going farther in the enemy’s country, and away from our base of supplies. It makes us feel that we are in for much hard work and marching.