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

February 22d. Washington’s Birthday. Orders to prepare for parade and review. All the troops around town ordered to take part. The march will be through the principal streets. Quite a celebration in honor of the first president, George Washington. Wrote several letters to friends at home.

February 20th. Detailed for picket duty. It again fell my lot to be located on the Charlestown road and the same post I left on the eve of the 6th when I received my furlough. Weather fine at this time. All is quiet in this vicinity. No one knows how long it will last. Business improving in town.

February 18th. Arrived at Martinsburg at 2 A. M. Left Jersey City early yesterday morning. After an uneventful trip arrived in Baltimore at 4 P. M. Left at nine o’clock. Met other members of the regiment bound for camp. When we got there lay down for a little rest and sleep. At daylight attended roll-call, after which I was given a hearty welcome by the boys of Company C. Thankful for the furlough and the good time. Connecticut did look good to me as I again turned my back to it, facing southward, bound for old Virginia. Again writing letters home after my safe arrival in camp.

February 16th. In New York. Left Norwich last night by boat. A cold sail on Long Island Sound. Remain here today and tonight. My cousin Theodore Luyster enlisted in the 10th New York Regiment. His father and mother feel very badly over it. Many other mothers and fathers have been made to feel sad over the same thing. Boys seem bound to enlist.

February 15th. Called on friends in and around Norwich. Visited my country home in Hanover, near Norwich. Time passed quickly and very pleasantly. Must again set my face southward, and join the regiment. Weather very cold during my vacation.

February 10th. Norwich, Connecticut. Left New York last night by boat. Arrived here all right. Came from New London to Norwich on the engine with my cousin Sidney Williams. Made my way to the home of my aunt, Mrs. Jane Tubbs. Gave the family a great surprise. Did not have time to let them know that I was coming.

February 8th. My birthday, 19 years old. Left Baltimore at 9 o’clock last night. Passed through Philadelphia about midnight. Arrived in Jersey City at 8 A. M. Made my way to the home of my relations, taking breakfast with my grandmother. All were surprised and glad to see me. New York was my early boyhood home, having been born in that city, but left it when eleven years old, going to Connecticut to live. My time passed quickly and very pleasantly. Nothing happened to mar the pleasure of my visit.

February 7th. Arrived in Baltimore at 7 A. M. Had breakfast, then made our way across the city to the Philadelphia R. R. Station. There learned that we could not get a train out of the city until 9 P. M. A great disappointment. When leaving camp thought we could connect right through to New York. As we had a long time to wait, we put up at the Union House. Made a few calls, as we had acquaintances in the city. Called at the Stuart Mansion Hospital, where I was during my long illness, early in 1863. I found the nurses still on duty. All were pleased to see me. One woman and two men, in charge of ward 4. At this time it was known as the Jarvis Hospital, west end of Baltimore. The day passed very pleasantly.

February 6th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cloudy, cold. Detailed for picket duty. Located on Charlestown Pike, southeast of town. On post two hours and off four. So I passed the day. Along in the evening, while out on post, was relieved from duty, informed that I had been granted a furlough for ten days, giving to me an opportunity to visit old Connecticut. On my return to camp, found that Edwin White of our company had also received a furlough. After a bath and a change of raiment, we decided to journey together. We left camp about eleven o’clock at night. At the depot was informed that the next train North would leave at 2 A. M., which would be Sunday morning. About midnight we started up town to find something to eat. The town being under martial law, provost guards were at every corner to protect the town and preserve order. I was in possession of the countersign, having received it early in the evening while on picket duty. Did not find anything to eat, had a good time walking around while waiting for the train. Whenever challenged by the guards, I would advance and give the countersign. Few trains were run on the B. & O. R. R. in the night. Shall not be able to get anything to eat until our arrival in Baltimore, where the train is due about 7 A. M. We are very happy over the prospect of seeing home and friends once more, having been in the service for eighteen months.