Up and early on the march this hot morning. Going up the
narrow road over the mountains we make very slow progress. The Rebs and
bushwhackers have cut down large trees and fell them across the road. The
Pioneer Corps are having hard work to clear the road. As we pass slowly along
the bodies of dead Rebs are lying beside the road, having been killed by the
advance scouts. They looked frightful, with their long black beards and white
faces, in death. The road is very narrow and winding as we go on up the
mountains. At the side of the road one can look away down into the valley and
ravines. Army wagons can be seen down among the trees. We suppose they must
have broken down and been pushed over to get them out of the way. It was cause
enough to set the boys talking and to help make them forget their own troubles.
A hard, tiresome march over the mountains, stopping for the night between the
Peaks of Otter, having marched only fourteen miles. Orders are to keep very
quiet and not make any fires. Must go without our coffee for the night.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 77
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