1862 February 19

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

Wednesdy 19 repaired this morning to the Rail Road to enquire
about the train of last evening--learned that it had been
stopped at Dublin depot by a slide ten miles further
on. Passengers were carried round the slide and took
the train on the other end of the road. I hope Wm &
his family got home safely--they must have suffered
much whether they spent the night in the cars or
in the way side inn--It rained hard all day. News
very depressing, but towards night dispatches an
nounced that our losses had been greatly exaggerated
Nashville certainly not taken--and Johnson Pillow
& Floyd there--There is something very exhausting
in these conflicting & existing rumors--Letter from
Euene, complaining that his leave of absence is de
nied. Letter also from Lewis, very interesting &
well written. He was at the great ridge erecting
fortification. I always am glad when I hear of
his being engaged in the other duties of his pro
fession--What he does there can be appreciated
more than his labors in the office--He thinks poorly
of the courage of the coast North Carolinians--In the
afternoon with Lanty's & Mary J's assistance
got much of the books arranged in the library
Had to place the folios on the top of the cases--The
heavy volumes thus, in [?] of the [?] of gravity
moving to the top. Every available space on the wall
is brought into requisition: what is to become of the
papers I dont know. It was 10 at night before i
quit work.

MSS 4763