1862 January 8

[from the diary of William Matthews Blackford of Lynchburg, Va.]

anniversary of the battle of New Orleans--It used
to be celebrated consulePlanto that is in the
days of Jacksonism, with a fastidious[?] patriotism. Of
late years it has not been observed at all--This mor-
-ning the coldest of the season--Monday at 24 at 8 oclock
it became milder, clouding over, & at night began to
drizzle I hope it may turn to snow before
morning. I want to see cold weather enough to
ensure the most abundent ice harvest--We
must supply the South and it may be as prof-
itable a trade as the Yankees found it. Rumors
of skirmishes near Romney, and in Morgan county
and of the advance of a strong column of Jacksons
army towards Bath Springs--I feel much interested
as Lanty must be engaged--Fleming Saunders
left us this morning. Last night, though I
had told the carriage Driver from Hat creek to
[?] the depot, we could not see the carriage &
had difficulty in getting Fleming to the house on
Charles wagon with the baggage--Whilst waiting
I saw a carriage on the road, and inquiring of
a negro man who was near it, whose it was
he answered that a gentleman had asked him
for to hold the horses while he stept into the
tavern--I asked him if the gentleman was dri
ving himself & was answered yes--Now by
"gentleman" the fellow designated Peter Saunders
carriage driver, who had been waiting there
for us until he was tired & had gone to look for
us. so much for the wrong use of words. Neither
Fleming nor his servant recognized the carriage
or horses--they looking only for the Hat creek car-
riage--It was an amusing though provoking
situation At 5 went to the depot and
had the pleasure of seeing Charles and his family.
They came to our house for supper and staid until
eight. C looks very well--He is getting bald
and altogether seems older than a man of 28 should
He has great sensibility and high strung nerves and
cares & responsibility tell upon him Mary & Julia
go under escort of young Henderson to a concert
& supper at [?] it is gotten up for the relief
of 31st[?] Va Regt exiles from Wheeling I heard of the
death of the widow of the late Jos. C. Cabell, Miss
Carter of Corotoman that was--She leaves an immense
fortune-in ordinary times with little short of half
a million. She will not leave much of it to his rela
tives with whom she is not on good terms She
was a peculiar woman & had not many friends.

[Lanty would be one of his sons Lancelot Minor Blackford]

MSS 4763