A hot morning. Traveled all night. Most of the time at a
lively gait, at times on the run, to keep with the wagons and artillery.
Sometimes we would hang on to the tailboards in order to keep up. Don't know
how many miles we have covered since we left in front of Lynchburg. Stopped
this morning for rest and rations, which consist only of fresh meat, broiled
and fried. We have been informed that this part of Virginia is known as the
Blue Gap country. We have not stopped long enough to learn the names of the
places that we pass through. We are along the line of a railroad leading to Lynchburg.
This railroad, its bridges, and property, are destroyed as we go along. Some of
the bridges are over deep ravines. When the bridge is gone, the cars are run
over into the deep ravines. They go down with a great crash.
Constant skirmishing is kept with the rear guard and the
enemy. The rear guard reports that many of our boys are falling into the hands
of the rebels, as they are worn out and cannot keep up with the army. The
suffering of our men is something fierce. Clothing and shoes are wearing out.
Many are barefoot while we go pushing over these rough roads. We are still
guarding the wagon train. At times we are obliged to trot in order to keep up.
There is room in many of the wagons so that the guard might ride. It is against
orders. Soldiers must obey orders. On the road we pass a few houses once in a
while. Inhabitants very few in this rough country. Mostly old men, women, and
children. Young men are in the rebel army. These people look as though they
were suffering for the southern cause. Very little forage can be found in this
mountainous country.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 81-2
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