1862 March 26 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]

Wednesday 26 Cold rain--much indisposed
scarcely able to drag myself about. No
mail from Richmond. Came home and resolved
to take to bed--but compromised by taking rest
on the sofa, while there situated and in
the midst of a hard rain heard a carriage
come to the door. I went to receive the visi
tors and was accosted by a gentleman
who said he was Dr. Green & that he and his
companion Dr. Houston, both of the army[?] had
tried in vain to get in at the hotels &
that he was under the necessity of throw
ing himself upon my hospitality, in
virtue of old acquaintance. I asked if
he were Dr. Daniel Green. He answered
he was. I assured him of the most [?]
welcome & of my admiration of his spirit
& courage in taking the course he did. I
found him quite unwell. We had sup
-per prepared. I was much gratified
at meeting him again. It is perhaps
more than 20 years since I saw him.
He came over with Dr. Wiliams, medical
Director & Dr. Ben Blackford--their ob-
ject being to rent some of our factories
to establish hospitals here for some
800 men sick & wounded--Ben with Dr
Williams & his wife 7 his father--Dr. Green
gave us the first intelligence we had of
a severe fight Jackson had with the ene-
my, on the farm of Rich. Barton five
miles from Winchester last Sunday. The
enemy had begun to fall back from
Strasburg--Jackson advanced and over
took them--Ashby's cavalry brought on
the action & Jackson supported him with
infantry & artillery--The enemys forces
were brought out of Winchester and out
numbered ours three or four times--our
loss was heavy--some valuable officers killed.
As I am confident Lanty was in the battle
we of course feel deep anxiety to learn his
fate--Sally Minor came down in the
packet this morning--[?] went home
at 12 in spite of the rain & snow. I dis
like to see any one leave my house [in] such weather.

MSS 4763