Last night we were under arms, ready for a call to duty at
any moment. Prisoners report that Ewell has about forty thousand men with
eighty cannon under his command. While in the fort waiting for orders we talked
over the events that might happen when daylight came. About 2 A. M. we silently
marched out of the Star Fort to the Martinsburg Pike. The movement was very
slow which kept us guessing, wondering what was in store for us. When out on
the road about four miles, just at break of day, at Carter's Farm, near Summit
station on the Harper's Ferry & Winchester Railroad, the enemy opened a
fierce fire upon us. The cavalry were to the right of us, marching in fours or
parallel to the infantry lines. They broke and ran through our lines, causing
much confusion. While we were re-forming, the enemy kept up a severe fire on
us. They were well posted across a deep railroad cut. A case of ambush, waiting
in the dark for us, having a good range of the pike. Our regiment soon had line
formed, with the 5th Maryland on our left. Ordered to charge on the battery
which the enemy had well posted and supported. Charging through the woods and
the severe firing of the enemy, our lines became broken, when we were ordered
to fall back and re-form. The second charge in the woods on the battery. We
were again ordered to fall back and re-form. The 18th Connecticut was now the
only regiment left on the field with General Milroy. After a short drill by our
Colonel, under fire all the time, I heard him report to the General that he was
now ready for orders. Our company, C, being center and color company, the
Colonel's position was right in our rear, so that we heard all his orders, even
in battle. The Lieutenant-Colonel and the Major were on the right and left of
the regiment to repeat orders. The 18th Connecticut Regiment made the third and
last charge un-supported, all others having left the field. We held the enemy
in check until the General, his staff, and escort, left the field, guided by
scouts through fields, on to Harper's Ferry. That was a hot fight in that early
June morning. The cannon and musketry firing was a grand and awful sight to us
young fellows, who were getting our first lessons in a real battle, a hard one
and against great odds.
Coming out of the woods after the third and final charge,
our Major Peale directed us to go to the right and get away. I followed his
orders. For some reason, best known to himself, the Colonel ordered a halt and
a surrender to the enemy, when he and between four and five hundred were made
prisoners. Major Peale and between two and three hundred got away. I was one of
those who followed the Major and reached Harper's Ferry after a long and
tedious march. Tired and discouraged, we dropped to the ground for rest and
sleep. Our regiment was badly broken up. Many killed, wounded, and prisoners.
The trials of the past few days were something fearful to endure. It was
wonderful that we came out as well as we did. Short of rations, sleeping on the
ground. Cool nights follow the hot days. On the march through Charlestown. Saw
the Confederate cavalry on the Berryville Pike. In case of an attack we are
ready. While marching on to Halltown a force of cavalry came to meet us from
Harper's Ferry. Stopped for the night on Bolivar Heights.
In the battle I lost my pocket-book, containing over five
dollars with gold pen and silver pen-holder. We were obliged to fill our
pockets with cartridges. As they were loose we used them first, so must have
pulled my pocket-book out in the excitement.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 20-2
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