May 9th. Nothing important has transpired since the last date. Our regiment was kept on the advance picket line. Orders to march. The army again on the march. Pushing on up the valley. Getting farther from our base of supplies as we march over the old pike where we have marched before, while doing scouting duty. Our cavalry on the advance are continually skirmishing with the enemy’s cavalry who try to contest every mile as our advance pushes on. Marched through Newtown and Middletown. Hot dusty marching. Much suffering from the extreme heat. Every time we halt, run for water. Many good springs in this section. Once in a while we find a sulphur spring. Don’t like the taste of it but are obliged to drink it in order to quench our thirst. I am in the best of health. Rugged enough for this kind of life. Thankful that I am so well. Our advance are continually skirmishing with the enemy. Sometimes it sounds as though there was a hot time. We are looking for a battle as we advance. Notice and talk about the points of interest as we go marching on. Fine country is this Shenandoah Valley. Blue Ridge Mountains on our left. Came to a halt on the north bank of Cedar Creek, about three miles from the town of Strasburg. Make camp here for the night. Pleased when we halt for the night.
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.
May 4th. On the third relief last night from 1 to 3 A. M. Visited by the grand-rounds about 2 A. M. All was well. Relieved this morning. Weather clear and fine. Saw one of our cavalry scouting parties pass along the pike, having captured a rebel Major and twelve men up near Strasburg. Drilling and dress parade kept up when the weather permits.
May 3d. Received three days’ rations. On picket post near the Romney road. A dangerous point, as the rebel scouts and cavalry take the dirt roads instead of the pikes. Cannot be heard as they advance. Horses make more noise on the pike.
May 2d. Severe rain storm this morning. Came off picket wet through. Tents no good, leaking very badly. Our regiment still on the advance, holding the picket line from the main pike to the Romney dirt road on the west.
May 1st. Marching orders this morning. Pushing on towards Winchester. Passed over the battle-field known to us as Carter’s Farm, or Summit Point, on the Harper’s Ferry and Winchester R. R. On this field we did some hard fighting against great odds, June 15th, 1863. Many of our boys were made prisoners. Talked over the events of the battle as we marched along, pointing out the places where our boys fell and were buried. We are very familiar with this section of Virginia. Pushing along, passed through Winchester. Very few people in sight. Those we saw said they hated the Yankees. Hope we would all be captured and taken to Richmond. Out on the main pike, came to a halt near the Union Mills. Our regiment detailed for picket on the advance, near Kernstown. We are now in the enemy’s country. Liable to meet trouble at any time. The signal corps is kept very busy. I do not know the code but it is very interesting to me as I watch them work. They seem to find every high point of ground where they get a fine view of the country.
April 30th. At Bunker Hill. Only doing picket duty and resting. Weather cloudy. Liable to march at any minute. All is quiet and nothing important has taken place up to this time. Camp made up with our shelter tents.
April 29th. Reveille at daylight, then roll call, breakfast. Packed up waiting for orders to march, while in line. The command being given, we began our march, passing through town, out on the Winchester Pike. Macadamized roads were known as pikes. Going towards Winchester it was named after that town. Going from Winchester the same road was known as the Martinsburg Pike because it led to that town. Just outside of Martinsburg the 8th Corps was forming, under the command of General Sigel. This corps was also called The Army of West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Our regiment was the last to arrive. Received hearty cheers from the Ohio and West Virginia boys, which we returned in good old Yankee style. We could cheer. At this point we were brigaded with the 28th and 126th Ohio Regiments under the command of Colonel Moore, 28th Ohio, a German officer. About nine o’clock we began our march, the day being very hot and the road very dusty. Pushing up the valley. After a slow, tedious march, late in the day, a halt was made at Bunker Hill, a small village on the main pike. A supply of good water. Tired and leg weary. Our record for today’s march, ten miles.
April 28th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Up early this morning, waiting for the regiment which soon came marching into town, having camped for the night about five miles out of town. Weather fine. Ordered to camp out on the Williamsport Pike, north side. Just got camp located, tents up, orders came to strike tents, turn them over to the Quartermaster’s Department, and in place to receive shelter tents, also known as pup tents by the soldiers. Ordered to be ready to march early on the morrow. We are in for business now. Weather fine tonight.
April 27th. Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry. Broke camp. I am detailed to go by train with regimental baggage, to load and unload and also to guard it. The regiment on the march. By noontime we had the baggage loaded and the train under way, which makes a good run. On arrival baggage was unloaded. Put up tent near railroad station. Must wait for the regiment. Called on the German people who did my washing and mending whenever we were in this vicinity. Mrs. Shults invited me to remain and have supper with the family. Such invitations did not come very often, but I accepted and enjoyed it.
April 26th. Marching orders received. Ordered to report at Martinsburg. Now under General Sigel, who has been put in command of all the forces in the Shenandoah Valley, for an advance up the valley.
