1862 March 28 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]

February 28 Drs. Green & Houston and Sally Minor
left us early this morning--the first for
Charlottesville--the two last for the packet
suffering much from head ache and general
apprehension--Recd letter from Lewis, stating
he has been sick. He was taken in Richd
when there early last week--went to Norfolk
and took to his bed. The Dr did not know
what to think of the attack, especially of
a red eruption all over the body. He was
well enough to be out of bed when he wrote.
He and three others have rented a ready furnished
house, with servants &c at 50$ a month and
are keeping house- at a cheaper rate than they
could board--He writes for some butter--that
article there was going from 75c to a dollar.
Have of various movements of troops--large
reinforcements have been sent to the Valley from
Gordonsville--Large quantity of troops [?]
[?] to North Carolina & the Peninsula
It is evident the fear of an advance on the
Richmond line has subsided--I never believed
the enemy would come that way. We may
expect every da to hear of the Merrimac
doing something. The President & the officials
in Richd are entirely confident of her ability
to [?] the Monitor. I believe upon this
will depend the safety of Norfolk, if not of
Virginia. Tatnall is to command her--I feel
sure he will never strike her flag.

Josiah Tatnall, 1794-1871, previously an officer in the U. S. Navy in the War of 1812, the 2nd Barbary War, and the Mexican American War

MSS 4763