Camp at Halltown, where we are going through life doing the duty of a
soldier, in winter quarters. Many new recruits are being added to our company,
and the regiment. The sick and wounded who have recovered are also coming back.
All returning members and recruits are greeted as fresh fish. Our camp being on
high ground, none can enter without being seen. At the call of “Fresh fish,”
the boys turn out and welcome all who come. Many questions are asked about
home, as most of the recruits have friends in the regiment. Some have
relations. With the returning members and the recruits gives us more men for
duty, which helps to make duty more easy for the men, while the sergeants and
corporals must be on picket duty every other night. Religious service is conducted
every Sunday, and evenings, by our Chaplain. The chapel is also used for a
reading room. Tables, pen, ink, and paper for the boys who wish to use it for
writing letters. We are the only regiment in this vicinity. Others are at
Harper's Ferry and Charlestown.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of
Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 138
