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

January 2nd. In line all night. Not much sleep. Prisoners brought in this morning, captured by scouts, report the enemy going south, owing to the severe weather. Late this P. M. all is quiet. Our company ordered on picket for the night. A double picket line will be maintained for the night. Cold weather holds on.

January 1st. New Year. Last night on second relief, going on post at eleven o’clock. Remained until one o’clock. Saw the old year out and the new in. This morning before daylight the outposts were attacked. A sharp, hot firing. All the forces around town were ordered out, double-quick time. All under arms. Later it was learned there was a large force of rebel cavalry near North Mountain, about five miles out. Reported to be under Generals Imboden and McCausland. The rebel scouts and our pickets caused the sudden firing. The cold rain turned to snow, and was bitter cold, causing much suffering while waiting in line of battle. According to reports from prisoners, they suffered worse than we did. Standing in line all day, ready for action. The boys are anxious to give the enemy a hot welcome. Double picket line ordered.

December 31st. Orders received to prepare for a three days’ scout. Reported we go up the valley. A cold rain storm set in before we started. Caused the marching orders to be countermanded. The regiment to remain in camp. I am detailed for picket duty. The last day of the year 1863.

December 30th. On our return regular duty was resumed. Fourteen new recruits came to the regiment from Connecticut. Nine assigned to our company, C. Recruits were known as fresh fish. That was the way they were greeted. Most of them had relations and friends in the regiment. The recruits were always welcome and used kindly. Some were very young boys.

December 25th. Christmas Morn. The boys made very happy last night over the prospect of returning to our camp. Spent the evening singing, making speeches, having a good time. It was late when the tumult ceased and we lay down for a little rest and sleep. Our second Christmas in the service. We bid goodbye to old Charlestown as we go marching on, singing and cheering, on to Martinsburg. Weather fine, a perfect day. Hard marching over a very rough road. At i P. M. stopped for rest and rations. Again on the march, passing through Leestown, fording the Opequan Creek. Pushing right along, anxious to reach camp. About two miles from Martinsburg passed the picket line. With music by the drum corps and every man in line, we marched through the town, reaching camp just before dark. The guard left in charge of our camp gave us a hearty welcome. Very tired, glad to tumble into our tents after an absence of sixteen days.

December 24th. General Averill and his troops returned today after a raid of fifteen days. The boys and horses show the effects of hard service as I saw them pass through town on to Harper’s Ferry. They did an immense amount of damage to the enemy. Hard fighting, fording many streams in extreme cold weather during cold rains, and snow. A soldier’s life in the field is a very severe one. The poor horses suffer as well as the men. Orders received for the regiment to return to our camp at Martinsburg. Christmas Eve.

December 23d. All quiet through the night. This is known as a very loyal town. The Johnnies call it Little Massachusetts, so we were informed by the people, who were very kind to us. With daylight our duty ended. We remained until noontime, when we left for Charlestown. Have been sorry that I did not keep the names of the cavalry scouts. The detail from our company, C, Thomas A. Loomis, Lemuel A. Manning, Charles H. Lynch. Arrived at headquarters late this P. M. Tired. Pleased with the trip. Enjoyed scouting when everything went well.

We are all the time watching the mountain passes and the fords. The guerillas know every foot of this country and section of Virginia. They make many raids on the B. & O. R. R., and are generally successful, capturing and wrecking trains. All is quiet at this point. Some of the boys managed to find skates and are having a great time on a pond. Women and children watch the tricks on the ice performed by our boys and seem pleased.

December 22nd. Detailed with twenty under the command of Lieutenant John Lilley, Company I, for a night’s scout and picket duty with four cavalry scouts from the list New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. Left late this P. M., marching across lots through woods. Ordered to keep very quiet as we went marching on, so that our presence might not be known. After a march of between seven or eight miles we came to a small town called Cabletown, at a ford in the Shenandoah River. The cavalry boys were good scouts, on the alert, keeping our Lieutenant well posted as we advanced. We reached the town just after dark, as it began to snow. Pickets were soon posted at the ford. Our quarters were a wagon shop, where we kept very comfortable when off picket. A few citizens spent a part of the night with us. A good fire was kept burning in the stove all night.

December 20th. Bitter cold. Out on picket last night on the Duffield road. Duffield is on the line of the B. & O. R. R. about eight miles from this town. Detailed to go out for wood. Teams going outside of camp must be kept well guarded, owing to bushwhackers and guerillas. While some of the boys cut wood, the guard must be on the alert. Keep up the large campfire in front of the church. Try to keep comfortable. My tent mate at this time is Lem Manning. The guerillas know every path over the mountains and all fords in the Shenandoah River.