1862 March 31 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]

Tuesday 31

Quarter day and of course the
usual count. Most of my specie being in
sailor bags the task of counting was light.
We got through in a couple of hours in the
morning--various rumors of movements
of troops, and advances of the enemy. Large
reinforecements have gone from Orange to the
Valley, N. Carolina & Peninsula--Troops have
gone also south from Frdbg. This indicates
that no serious attack is threatened from the
Potomack unless Banks advances in the Valley
I have necessarily become very incredulous
as to rumors. I expect every moment
news of great events in the west, where
it is said Albert Johnson has laid his plans
with great skill, and that Buell may be
entrapped--We wait for the news exploits
of the Merrimac--never before did so much
depend upon the success of a single vessel
Recd dispatch from R. Saunders to have a
hack ready at the boat Wednesday morg to
take Miss Smith & party to his house & to
send Mr Granger to Carrysford [?] to request their
young Fairfax shd come in to meet them.
The lowest price demanded for a hack was
12$ for the task As they asked 5$ for a
passenger I did not send one but wrote
to Mrs. S. by mail--Went to the depot
at qr past 8 and staid until 10 when
hearing the cars would not be in until
12 came home much exhausted.

MSS 4763