March 12th. This morning opened up bright and pleasant. Camp located and tents put up. A busy day. We have here with us a battalion of cavalry known as the Loudon Rangers, composed of loyal Virginians and Marylanders. They make good scouts. Some few have been in the rebel service. They often ford the river, going into the Loudon valley, watching the enemy. At this point the B. & O. R. R. turns to the north, leaving the Potomac River. The scenery at the Point of Rocks is grand. When clear the water of the river looks blue. It is either blue, or yellow from the rains which come pouring into it from the brooks and creeks in Maryland and Virginia.
These nights are cold for picket duty along the Potomac. While wishing the war was over, I have no desire to go back to old Connecticut until the end comes. I enlisted for the war and am doing my duty as it comes from day to day. I must make mention of the Loudon Rangers who are a plucky crowd and who have some very severe and dangerous duty. I met one who had been in the rebel service and was up against us at Winchester. Said that our firing at Carter’s Farm was a severe one. We put up a good fight. We were fighting Jackson’s old corps, commanded by General Ewell. It was considered as among the best fighting corps in the Confederate Army. At that time it numbered among thirty and forty thousand, with a large number of heavy field guns.
A large flock of wild geese passed over our camp, going north. They know a good country. There are large flocks of turkey buzzards in this vicinity. Known as scavengers. On picket tonight.