Came off picket very early. A fine morning. The army again
on the march. Our regiment in the rear, waiting for orders. Passed through Knoxville,
pushing on to Berlin, Maryland. Coming to a halt discovered the advance wading
the Potomac River, over into Virginia, the Loudon Valley country. At this point
there was a stony ridge running diagonal across the river. At low water it
could be forded. At this time the water was about waist deep and the stones
were very slippery. In order to keep our ammunition and rations dry we carried
our equipments and haversacks fastened to the muzzle of our muskets, over our
shoulder. Some of the boys lost their footing, went down under the water,
getting a ducking. There was much laughing, joking, and shouting, in spite of
the wetting we were all getting. On reaching the Virginia shore no time to
halt, not even to stop and pour the water out of our shoes. Must push on in our
wet clothes over dusty roads which soon formed a mud covering. After a time our
clothes began to dry as we marched on in the hot sun, the dirt dropping off. By
night our clothes were all dry and we were all in better spirits. Many reports
are in circulation that we are following on after the rebs under the command of
Jubal Early, who have been raiding into Maryland. Late tonight camp near
Hillsborough.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 98-9
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