Again on the march. I will be thankful if I can hold out
until we get rations. Progress is very slow over these mountains. Roads are
badly washed by the heavy rains. This is no time to repair roads. They are very
dangerous, not only for the men, but also for the poor horses and mules drawing
the cannons and heavy army wagons. Very few houses and not much settlement
along these mountain roads, so that we see very few people.
After a forced march, about eighteen miles, came to a halt
at the foot of the mountains. In the distance we saw what looked like wagons
coming towards us. It proved to be farm wagons. The farmers offered their
services to bring us rations. How thankful we were to meet them. Each man
received two hardtack and a small piece of fresh meat. We were a foot-sore,
hungry, ragged, dirty crowd of Uncle Sam's soldiers. Our suffering has been
intense, over the mountains. The farmers informed us it was reported that
Hunter's army was starving in the mountains. Raining very hard tonight.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 87
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