Saturday morning. Up early and on the march, going on
through the town. About ten miles up the pike is Mount Crawford, at which point
the Shenandoah River crosses the pike. The enemy have the mount strongly
fortified, a commanding position. About three miles out of Harrisonburg we file
to the left over a dirt road. The intention seems to be to flank the mount. We
are now making for Port Republic, near which we were obliged to cross the
Shenandoah River. Owing to the recent heavy rains it was very high, running
swift. A canvas pontoon bridge was made by drawing canvas over boat frames
which had been made and brought along. The boats were made and placed in the
river, when the bridge was completed like any pontoon bridge, except the canvas
boats. (The first and only ones I ever saw, and was the only time I ever saw
that one used.) It was a frail thing for an army to cross on. General Hunter
sat on his horse very close to the frail bridge, anxiously watching us cross,
and shouting, “Men, break step.” That would divide the weight while we were on
the bridge. That seemed to be a duty that the General would not trust to any
one else. (I well remember that scene.) As far as I know the army all passed
over in safety. The cavalry crossed at some other point. A young cavalryman
attempted to swim his horse across the river near the bridge, slipped or fell
from his horse and was drowned. Many boys jumped in and dove for him. The high,
swift-running, dirty water was too much for them. The Shenandoah River was his
grave, as it was the grave of many other Union soldiers. Some were members of
our regiment, the 18th Connecticut. The enemy was driven out of Port Republic,
losing a large wagon train filled with supplies, captured by our cavalry. The
supplies were distributed to us. A number of packages of coffee came to our
company, which gave to us a great surprise as they were put up in our home town
by Selden & Willard, Norwich, Conn. Here we were, one hundred miles from
our base of supplies, in the enemy's country. It has often been reported that
there are people in the North getting rich by running supplies through the
blockade. These people are anxious to prolong the war when they should remember
that every battle kills a soldier, and by the help they give to the foes. These
soldier boys have dear friends at home. Passed on through Port Republic,
camping near the town. Hunter forced the enemy to leave Mount Crawford and
change front. Judging from what we can learn the enemy is in strong force in
our front. Night sets in dark and raining.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 66-7
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