1861 October 14 1 mile above Fairfax C.H.--2 from Fairfax Station, Va

Camp of the Rockbridge Artillery 1st Brigade (Gen. T. J. Jackson)
2nd Corps C. S Army of the Potomac (Gen G. W. Smith)

Mr. Wm. M. Blackford--Lynchburg

My Dear Father

My last letter addressed to mother was
written while on Picquet service on the Acotink. It bore date of the 8th
was sent to Lynchburg by private hand. I presume it was received,
and shall therefore not recur to any of the things contained in it.
We were not relieved until the afternoon of Thursday the 10th when
the arrival of 2 pieces of the Wise Artillery of Martinsburg, Capt. Alburtis
afforded us an opportunity of returning home. This we did joyfully,
although we made the march in a cold rain. From this however
I was adequately protected. I think the little experience of 10 days
picquet service was an advantage to me and I do not regret it.
Indeed for more than half the time I enjoyed it, the cold weather
after the storm we had on Monday night, however, was very disagreeable.
I was furnished with plenty of reading matter and most of the
time enjoyed the perusal of the incomparable pages of the "Heart
of Midlothian," which I had commenced reading a second time just before
we were ordered off. I had not read it before since I was grown
and find that I had never appreciated its beauty and excellence
half highly enough. I remembered it was a prime favorite with
you, and perhaps read it more carefully on that account. I am
now reading "Woodstock"--also for the second time--and cannot help being
struck with some points of strong analogy between the troublous
times of 1640-42 in England and those which we are now passing through.
In those times there was right on both sides--different from these so far

[page 2]
On my return to camp Thursday evening I received my box, and ack-
nowledged it by a letter from the camp of the Wise Troop the same
night. Its entire contents were in perfect order and preservation
and was most gratefully received. The great coat has been the envy
of many admiring eyes since I commenced sporting it, and is declared
to be the very best in the company. It is not too heavy but in
this respect as every other with a single exception, suits me exactly.
That one is that the collar is not high enougt by at least an
inch. I did not notice this at first but after wearing it once
I found it afforded inadequate protection for the neck. Otherwise
the fit is perfect Pleas secure, if practicable, a piece of the material
of the coat to make another collar of the first time I can manage
to have it done. Meanwhile I can get on very well with the collar
as it is, only it would be more serviceble to have the collar deeper.
The coat will be an incalculable comfort to me. I do not think $15
a great price for it. I believe you gave this for it. I like the colour
The cake of both kinds was highly appreciated by my mess, &
Berkeley Minor, and pronounced unsurpassed. I had the pleasure
of sharing a part of it one day with Randolph McKim, also
The bason was put into immediate use by myself & tent mates,
and adds much to our comfort. Such a piece of furniture it
is never thought out of the way for a half dozen men to use
habitually, in camp, though of course an invitation to do so is given.
The plate and pepper-box, also, came in particularly well, as the
plate I had before was lost while I was on picquet, and our pepper
box had been recently mutilated--The soda goth from Berkeley &
myself was safely received--The extra blanket, with its excellent lining,

[page 3]
though unsolicited could scarcely have been better timed, albeit
I had never suffered before. Now I sleep perfectly comfortably at night,
Berkeley Minor & I have an excellent bunk, covered with straw which
when the oil cloths and blankets are added makes a fine resting place.
It is highly expedient for two to sleep together, then,, & combine resources.
The coat sent in the box came just in time and is invaluable.
I got too Mr. Conrad's letter and the evidences of Mary's handi-
work in the articles she made which suit me exactly.

I mentioned in my last letter that during my absence on picquet
the order came for all superfluous baggage to be sent to Manassas.
I was not here to take from my Kit what I wanted so my entire
baggage was sent to the rear, and I find myself now entirely de-
pendent on what I had out when I went off, which was very little,
as we always leave our baggage packed for transportation when
we go off on such errands. This makes it inconvenient for me
to get along but the coat sent from home, and a flannel shirt
Eugene gave me Saturday, together with the great coat gives me plenty
for warmth. As respects conveniences etc. with which I was before
so well provided, there is no way so well calculated to accustom
one to do without them as necessity--so I dont mind it very much.
I hope we wont be separated from our baggage more than
a few weeks, at any rate: i.e. if we ever recover it, as it is
to be hoped we will, seeing that we have detailed & special guard.
The paper and envelopes you sent were very acceptable & not at
all more than I can take care of. I will endeavour to return
you a large part of it with usury--i.e. written upon. I have
now--at least in my outfit altogether--an abundant supply of stationery.

[page 4]
Soon after my return to camp I learned that John C. Haskell, of So. Car.,
with whom you met in Richmond last year, the brother of
my special friend Wm. T. Haskell (now a Captain in Greggs 18th S. C. Regt.)
was stationed at Fairfax C. H. I had never met him, but of course
desired to do so, and therefore repaired to the C. H. Saturday morning
to hunt for him. I found him at length at Gen. Smith's Hd Qrs.
to whose staff he is attached as chief of the commissary dept.
(with rank of Captain,) to the 2d Corps. The village, by the bye, is the great central HdQrs now of the army. Gens. Johnson, Smith,
Beauregard & Longstreet all residing there, the first two together.
I very soon made acquaintance with Haskell and learned from
him that by going a square or two down the street to his
room I should meet Randolph McKim. We repaired thither
and spent the morning together. I was glad to hear that
Ran had gotten a detail from his regement, of course without
the prospect of leaving it, to render clerical service to Capt. Haskell
in his official capacity; Haskell having entered a requisition
to that effect. It seems that the latter met a few days
ago with Ran and in a short time became very well acquainted
with him personally, as he had been before through his br. Wm, by character.
Having occasion for a clerk about this time, and being entitled to one, he invited
Ran to take the place and got him detailed. The place, as you may i-
magine, is a very pleasant one, and a most agreeable change for Ran now
the weather is becoming so cold. The 1st Md. will for a time lose one of
its best soldiers, though he declares that when the fighting is to be done he will be in it.
Ran is for the present then, within a mile of me, with light duties
and a good deal of liberty, so we can hope to be together frequently.

[remainder of letter missing]

Lancelot Minor Blackford, 1837-1914, University of Virginia alumnus with the Rockbridge Artillery

MSS 5088