1862 March 24 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, of Lynchburg, Va., former diplomat, newspaper editor and bank officer, with 5 sons in the Confederate Army]
Monday 24Fair and cool--Large correspondence
at Bank. Very busy during office hours
Letters from Charles & Eugene. That of the
former short,but expressive of despair & mourning.
at its date, he had heard of the death of his
little boy only. He was at Warrenton. Eugene
describes himself as being destitute of all
comforts being separated from his baggage.
He blames the colonel for want of care &
interest in the Regt. He writes for things
that I must send him at once. They have
not been in a tent in all this bad weather.
Eugene has really had a seasoning[?]. He says he
rather enjoys the hard life--I believe he does.
He has a spirit which only lacks the oppor
tunity to distinguish its possessor--The Enemy
seem confounded by Johnsons retreat--They have
fallen back & then have had large masses of
their troops sent from Potomac to Fortress Monroe
If Richd be their attempt[?] they will make their
attack from that direction--Attended a meeting
of the Committee appointed by the meeting of citi
zens Tuesday last. It was as fruitless as I knew
it would be--adjourned to Thursday night
Went with Mary R. & Mary J. to call upon
Mrs C[?] and her daughter, refugees
from Fairfax. William & Charles knew them
last summer and were indebted to them for
hospitality & kindness--Wm gave them a letter
to me. Called on Mrs Erwin & daughter also
at Cabell[?] House--Recd dispatch from Smith
at Charlottesville, declining to take John' house.
Mary R's silver arrived from Abing-
-don today, she deeming it safer here than
there. My eyes very sore.

MSS 4763