Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 26, 1865

A bright Sunday morning. Everybody happy. Our last day in camp at Martinsburg, the Shenandoah Valley, where we have seen and passed through hard service during the past three years. As the time draws near we are anxious to go home, but there is somewhat of a feeling of sadness on leaving old Martinsburg, where we have made many friends. Our camp is about deserted. A few men remain on guard in charge of the camp. Some of the boys are in town visiting, and attending church. Others are tramping through the country, bidding good-bye to the farmers and taking a look at the fine scenery and country. We must all report back to camp in time for our last dress parade, at 5 P. M. At our dress parade was a large attendance of people from town. A short religious service was held by our Chaplain, Rev. Wm. C. Walker. It was made somewhat solemn by the good man, as the journey home was laid before us. Orders were also read to be ready to leave camp early on the morrow, at 5 A. M. This is a happy evening in camp. Singing all through the camp.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 155-6

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 2, 1865

Our regiment is the only one left at this post. Details continue to hunt and collect government property. Some western regiments pass through this town on the B. & O. R. R., bound for home, singing and cheering, happy.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 154

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 3, 1865

Still having a pleasant time at this town, and continue our walks through the country. Berries and cherries are beginning to ripen. Allowed to help ourselves with all we can eat, as we do much work for the farmers, helping at various kinds of work. Stores are opening up in town, as are also all the churches. Buildings are in bad condition, the result of the four years of the war.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 154

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 15, 1865

Nothing special has taken place since the last date. Public auction in town today. All government property must be sold. An agent here in charge. Horses, mules, saddles, wagons, ambulances. Some of our company have been on duty and in charge of the corral for several days. Will be glad to see the thing closed up. Some of the horses and mules were kickers, as well as some of our boys, who did not like that kind of work.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 154

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 20, 1865

By the disposal of all the government property our duty seems to come to an end. Nothing more for us to do. We may now be ordered home, or to some other point for duty. We are all anxious to get home.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 154-5

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 10, 1865

These are quiet days. Nothing special for the past few days. Getting all the pleasure we can when off duty. Take long walks out in the country. Detailed for duty in town. Report to the Provost Marshal. Guards posted on the principal streets continue. Must keep peace by preserving order. Headquarters in the Court House. Duty light and easy.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 152

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 11, 1865

About midnight of last night, while I was in the Court House, I heard the cry of fire. Looked out and saw a great blaze to the south. Ran to the fire. It was a large barn on the Faulkner place. Watched it burn, as it could not damage other buildings. The Faulkners had many enemies in the neighborhood, whom he treated bad at the outbreak of the war. I heard Mr. Faulkner repeat “Poor revenge.” Sometimes revenge is sweet. The soldiers did not have any sympathy for the Faulkners. Looked upon as arch traitors. Soldiers were placed on guard over his property at the time of the fire.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 152

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 20, 1865

Our regular routine has been kept up for the past few days. Guard duty, drill, dress parade, Sunday morning inspection. When at liberty continue to take long walks out into the surrounding country. Call on the farmers. They laugh about the Yankee soldiers making friends with the cows. We tell them that's because we like milk. We found out the cows would eat hardtack. We fed and petted them while they were out to pasture. Women do the milking in this section. I heard a woman say that she was a good milker but the Yankees could beat her and milk into a canteen at that.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 152-3

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 20, 1865

As we have plenty of rations we trade with the farmers, coffee, sugar, hardtack, for butter, eggs, and vegetables, and some milk. The cows eat garlic which gives to the butter and milk a bad taste, but we manage to eat the stuff, if we don't really like the taste. We paid money for some things to the farmers. They were always anxious to get hold of a little ready cash. Some soft bread was furnished us in place of hardtack, but could most generally get hardtack. While we suffered much from hunger and thirst, we had good feed whenever near our base of supplies.

Detailed for guard duty in town. Charge of the third relief. When off duty could get excused for one hour. Visited a bookstore for something to read. Surprised to find a copy of the History of Connecticut. Paid one dollar for it. The Waverly magazine was quite a favorite with the boys. Much pleasure working out the enigmas, and reading the short stories and the poetry.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 153

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 26, 1865

At one o'clock this morning the guard was called out to stop a negro dance, some trouble having broken out, caused by outsiders. The guard must act as police, keep things quiet. At 9 A. M. relieved and returned to camp.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 153

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: June 1, 1865

Fine weather. All is very quiet. The country has on its summer dress. Looks fine. The most important question with us is, home, sweet home, when do we go. Soldier's life at this time is a dull one. Our only interest is our dress parades. We have many visitors from town.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 153-4

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: April 30, 1865

Fine growing weather. The leading topic in camp is, when do we go home. Picket duty suspended. Camp guard kept up, and provost duty in town to keep order and protect government property. Many horses and mules are corralled and guarded. This duty comes to our regiment. There is much that we must do to assist the government officers in collecting the property. The town has not been turned over to the civil authority yet, so we must do the duty of civil officers and protect the town, and do the duty of policemen. Guards on the different streets.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 150-1

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 1, 1865

Weather fine, and we are enjoying it. Our company remains at camp as headquarters' guard. The other companies are going through surrounding towns, picking up all government property, and all that is collected is put in wagons and brought to this town. Everything marked U. S. must be collected and stored here. In time it will be sold by government officers at public auction. This is a fine country. Our boys are enjoying these collecting trips. We are all so happy over the close of this awful, cruel war.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 151

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 5, 1865

Detailed for guard duty in town. Placed in charge of a rebel Major, who made claim of being on General Early's staff. I was informed that he was placed under arrest because he had broken his parole. Appeared on the streets of his home town, Shepardstown, Virginia, in full uniform, making a show of himself, and insulting loyal people, for which he was waiting to be tried by a court-martial. He was confined in a room in the basement of an old church. I had three men on duty with me, making three reliefs. Guarding him was a tiresome job. When night came he told me not to sit up all night, he would not attempt to get away. I made up my mind that he would not get a chance, as I would not take any chances with a rebel. I did my duty. Sat up all night and changed my reliefs every two hours. While he was agreeable to me I formed an opinion of him. Thought him rather mean, but I used him well.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 151-2

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: May 6, 1865

About 9 A. M. I was relieved from duty. Turned the prisoner over to the relief guard. The prisoner asked me to shake hands with him, and thanked me for my kindness. Said that he had been used very kindly by the boys of the 18th Connecticut. After being relieved returned to camp. I was excused from all duty except dress parade. Turned into my bunk, had a good sleep and a fine rest. Cleaned up and took part in our dress parade. A fine evening. Visited among the other companies.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 152

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: Sunday, April 16, 1865

No inspection. All is quiet in camp. After breakfast, cleaned up, ready for service in the log chapel. Sermon by our Chaplain. A good attendance, with several visitors from town. A good sermon on the sad event. All is quiet, and a very sad day in our camp. All duties suspended for the day. Went for a walk. Evidence of mourning on many houses and public buildings, by placing crape on them.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 149

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: April 19, 1865

All duty except guard and picket suspended since the assassination of Mr. Lincoln. These are days of mourning. Officers wear crape on the left arm and on the hilts of swords for thirty days. The funeral takes place today in Washington. The towns-people have arranged for a funeral parade and service to be held in the Court House. Our regimental band is engaged to furnish the music for the procession. On the march a coffin was carried, making a solemn appearance as the funeral procession marched to the cemetery where the coffin was buried. The whole thing was in charge of the towns-people. It was a very strange proceeding in the eyes of down-east Yankees. It was a very solemn occasion all through, to the burial of the coffin.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 149-50

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: April 20, 1865

Weather fine. Real spring. All is quiet in camp. The body of the martyr President is being carried across the country to his home town, Springfield, Illinois. These are days of mourning. The sudden taking off of Mr. Lincoln is the topic of conversation in our camp. It is generally believed there was a conspiracy among the leaders of the rebellion to murder Mr. Lincoln, so the cry is that the leaders must be punished.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 150

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: April 25, 1865

Weather good. Regular routine of duty is now on again. Drill, dress parade, picket, and guard. Not much interest taken in these duties at this time. No danger now from the enemy. The only real interest is taken in our dress parades, as we have many visitors from town. Confederate soldiers are now on their way home, all having been paroled. Halt them at the outposts, send a guard with them to the Provost Marshal, when they are allowed to proceed to their homes in Virginia and Maryland. Many were glad the war was over. Some were very bitter. Would not admit they were beaten. We laughed at the poor fellows. Many having tramped for miles to reach home. Some shed tears when they were forced to admit that the war was over, and their cause was lost.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 150

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: April 12, 1865

Not much duty done since the last date. Talking and rejoicing over the events of the past few days. Orders to resume drilling. It creates opposition and much kicking. What's the use. The war is over although peace has not been declared. Our term ends with the close of the war. Three years, or during the war.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 148