Left New Castle very early this hot morning. No air in these
valleys of Virginia and West Virginia. Most of our rations consist of fresh
meat. It is brought in to us in the night and cooked in the night, broiled on
the end of a ramrod. It is hard to keep out of our minds, but is generally
believed that we are eating horse and mule meat. When we left Cedar Creek on
this raid, General Hunter informed us that we might be obliged to eat horse
flesh before our return. At that time we were ordered to be careful of our
rations.
All the roads in the mountains and valleys are bad, hard for
our feet. It is now thought that we are in the Alleghany Mountains. In spite of
all our hardships we cannot help admiring the scenery. How we could enjoy it if
we had plenty to eat and could take our time marching along. Up and down, over
the mountains we go, until we reach the Sweet Springs, twenty-six miles from
New Castle. Here we are to stop for the night. Large fine buildings here. A
resort. Deserted. Generals Hunter and Crook located headquarters in a large,
fine building. Our regiment stopping nearby. Rations for tonight, plenty of
fresh meat and coffee. While we are all tired, foot-sore, and near used up,
there is but little growling or fault-finding. Keep up courage very well as we
endure these hardships, all for our country. While the days are hot, the nights
are cool.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 84
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