Late last night, our second night out, pickets began firing.
We were called out and soon had line formed. The supposed enemy proved to be
Union scouts with orders for the Colonel to return to Baltimore. The enemy did
not come into Maryland. The command was complimented for the way it turned out
into line ready for duty. This morning, in line by the railroad waiting for the
train. After a long wait in the cold the dirty train of box cars came along
which we soon boarded. On to Baltimore. Arriving in the city, ordered to the
west end, going into camp in Stuart's woods. A surprise and disappointment as
we expected to return to Camp Emory, our good quarters, in good warm barracks.
Many disappointments come to soldiers.
In our camp was located Battery L, 5th U. S. Regulars. The
battery boys did not like being inside the guard line of volunteers. Would run
the guard line, making trouble for us. A sergeant of the battery, under the
influence of drink, attempted to run the guard. Was halted, grabbed the
sentinel's musket, resulted in the sergeant's being badly wounded. The wooden
plug in the muzzle, with the bullet, passed through the sergeant's body. He was
not killed. (After a time he recovered.) After that event the battery boys and
the 18th Regiment were friends. All were sorry over the event. No one blamed
the sentinel. Cold rain and snow making the life of a soldier a very
disagreeable one in tents, sleeping on the ground. Deep mud and very sticky all
through our camp.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 13-4
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