Owing to our
rations running very low some of the boys took the liberty to go foraging,
going without a permit from the General's headquarters. They were rounded up by
cavalry scouts, placed under arrest, taken to headquarters, where they received
a severe reprimand from General Hunter. All were punished. Non-commissioned
officers reduced to the ranks. Privates made to carry a heavy fence rail over
the shoulder and walk a beat for four hours. The lack of rations and seeing the
boys undergoing a severe punishment made a gloomy time for us. The life of a
soldier in the field is no picnic. We can stand most anything but hunger. It
did seem very strange to us that we could not forage in the enemy's country. We
are seventy miles from our base of supplies, which must be brought to us in
wagons under a strong guard. Cavalry must do that duty. Reported that they have
much trouble from the guerillas under Mosby and others. They keep concealed in
the woods along the pike. From the hills they can be seen far up and down the
valley. Weather cloudy and muggy.
SOURCE: Charles H.
Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn.
Vol's, p. 64
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