This morning opened
up bright and pleasant. Camp located and tents put up. A busy day. We have here
with us a battalion of cavalry known as the Loudon Rangers, composed of loyal
Virginians and Marylanders. They make good scouts. Some few have been in the rebel
service. They often ford the river, going into the Loudon valley, watching the
enemy. At this point the B. & O. R. R. turns to the north, leaving the
Potomac River. The scenery at the Point of Rocks is grand. When clear the water
of the river looks blue. It is either blue, or yellow from the rains which come
pouring into it from the brooks and creeks in Maryland and Virginia.
These nights are
cold for picket duty along the Potomac. While wishing the war was over, I have
no desire to go back to old Connecticut until the end comes. I enlisted for the
war and am doing my duty as it comes from day to day. I must make mention of
the Loudon Rangers who are a plucky crowd and who have some very severe and
dangerous duty. I met one who had been in the rebel service and was up against
us at Winchester. Said that our firing at Carter's Farm was a severe one. We
put up a good fight. We were fighting Jackson's old corps, commanded by General
Ewell. It was considered as among the best fighting corps in the Confederate Army.
At that time it numbered among thirty and forty thousand, with a large number
of heavy field guns.
A large flock of
wild geese passed over our camp, going north. They know a good country. There
are large flocks of turkey buzzards in this vicinity. Known as scavengers. On
picket tonight.
SOURCE: Charles H.
Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn.
Vol's, p. 45-6
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