December 17th. A severe, cold storm, rain freezing on the ground and trees. The people in town say the Yankees brought the cold weather with them. Claim the weather is colder than it has been for years. Most of the houses here not built very warm. The people suffer from the cold, have only wood fires.
Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s.
December 14th. On picket, which comes every other day and night. All things seem to be very quiet. Bought a watch. The first one I ever owned. Paid one of the boys ten dollars. Wrote many letters to friends at home. When off duty visited the many points of interest around the town. Here old John Brown was tried and hung for treason against the state of Virginia. I visited the court house where he was tried, the jail where he was confined, and the ground just outside of town where he was hung. These places were pointed out to us by old residents of the town.
December 12th. Off picket. Cold rain continues, making life miserable. A large campfire near the church. When off duty do some scouting around the vicinity. The 1st Connecticut Cavalry in camp near the town. Visited the cavalry boys at their camp.
December 11th. The morning opened up with a cold rain. I am detailed for picket duty. Posted on a back road, just south of the town. Took possession of an old building for the reliefs and the reserves, when off duty. Manage to keep very comfortable. All quiet.
December 10th. Left camp early this morning. Passed through Martinsburg, going east, bound for Charlestown. Weather good. After a march of about eight miles, came to a halt at Leestown for rest and rations. Again on the march, forded the Opequan Creek. Not very pleasant at this time of year. Soldiers must not stop for wet feet. Pushing on. After a march of about eighteen miles we reached the town of Charlestown, Virginia, eight miles south of Harper’s Ferry, just after dark, tired. Took possession of an old church for our quarters, the weather growing colder. No place for a fire. Trying to make ourselves comfortable for the night.
December came in quite pleasant. Weather permitting, drilling is kept up.
December 8th. Marching orders received. Must prepare three days’ rations in haversacks. Ordered to Charlestown for duty. We are informed the cavalry under General Averill are to raid upon the enemy’s country. The General is a dashing cavalry officer. He is all right.
November 25th. Thanksgiving Day. Weather fine. Our second one in the U. S. service. Some of the boys received boxes from home containing good things which they divided with others. Connecticut mince pies were all right. We had baked chicken prepared by a baker in town. Our Thanksgiving in camp passed very quiet and pleasant. Excused from all duty except picket and guard. These days are passing quietly, nothing extra so far to perform. Kept busy most of the time.
October 10th. Our boys who had been prisoners since the fifteenth of June, had been released and exchanged. Lieutenant-Colonel Peale, commanding regiment, ordered to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland, to bring the boys to camp for duty. A happy meeting talking over our past experience. Guns and equipment given out. All were ready for duty. Drilling, picket, and scouting. The guerillas in the valley keeping us busy, as they often raided the trains on the B. & O. R. R. Our boys made friends among the towns-people. Were made welcome in many homes. The town was considered a Union town. Many loyal people in it.
No important events have taken place during the past few days. November coming in brought cold rain and snow, making mud. Reminded winter is coming on. Duty must be done in all kinds of weather. Daily routine with its various duties must be performed as the days come and go. Looking forward to the coming of Thanksgiving, hoping it will pass pleasantly.
October 1st. Our duty for Sunday, besides picket duty and guard, was Sunday morning inspection, attend church in town, weather permitting. The day’s duty closed with dress parade.
September 27th. Left Hagerstown, leaving a detail for provost duty in town. Marched through Williamsport, wading the Potomac, over into Virginia, pushing along in our wet clothes over very rough roads. After a march of about ten miles, we reached the town, going into camp on the west side. Here we erected our camp and began duty. Provost guard in town, picket, and guard duty, drilling, dress parade. When off duty, allowed to visit town on a pass from the company commander.
