In camp late last
night after a long hard march. A good night's rest. The ground for a bed and
the sky for a covering. Sadly in need of rations. On the march pass the ruins
of many army wagons being burned up to prevent them falling into the hands of
the enemy. Many horses and mules are giving out, drop for the lack of feed and
rest. It is hard pulling those wagons over these rough mountain roads. All
horses and mules that cannot be driven or led are shot to prevent the enemy
from getting them, as all they need is rest and feed for most of them. War is a
cruel thing. I wish it was over.
In conversation,
while on the march, with Captain Meigs, Engineer Corps, he thought we ought to
break up the gang of guerillas following in the rear. Asked us boys if we were
ready to fight them, the answer was yes. Many are dropping out by the roadside,
too weak and used up. Reported we march from ten to thirty-five miles a day.
Clothing and shoes giving out. Very little forage can be found in these
mountains and valleys. Our route takes us over the Potts Mountains, very high.
Our suffering is intense, as many are barefooted.
Just at dark we
reach the town of New Castle and go into camp for the night.
Thankful that we
are to get a night's rest. Two of our company found a bag of flour. It was
portioned out to each member. Mixed with water we had pan-cakes (toe-jam). We
have plenty of coffee, no sugar. A little coffee goes a good ways. Some of our
boys stole a bag of coffee from General Sullivan's headquarters. He was our
division commander. Of course it could not be found, as it found its way in
many haversacks.
SOURCE: Charles H.
Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn.
Vol's, p. 83-4
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