Civil War Diary of Charles H. Lynch

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.