1862 February 18 [Lynchburg, Va.]

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer, editor, and postmaster of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]




Tuesday 18 I spent this morning the [?] with intense
anxiety and to my infinite regret found the rumor
of yesterday confirmed. It took away my appetite for
breakfast. No particulars are given--In the course of the
morning it was noised about that Nashville had
been captured--I fear this is only a premature report of
what may yet come to pass. I do not believe it. Should
it fall into the enemys hands it will be a heavy blow
to our cause. We have immense stores there of all kinds
I sometimes feel as if it was all over & that we [?]
be overrun if foreign aid be longer denied--then again
I remember our [?] and the spirit of our people and
I disdain[?] the [?] of the possibility of subjugating our us.
We are destined to see a dreadful time. I doubt not as Wm
did not go yesterday in consequence of the rain and it
was with great difficulty Ive got room for this party in
the forward car. I shall feel very anxious until I hear
of their arrival in safety.
This is the third anniversary of the death of my
own dear daughter--How the present state of the coun
try & the dangers to which her brothers are exposed would
distress her were she now living!

MSS 4763