1862 April 12 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Saturday 12 clear & cool. went with
Mary R. to the Island to take the
cars for Richd at 8. She carried the
baby only with her--Put her under
the care of Dr. Warren, of Edenton, very
small offering at the board. The
Telegraph brings bad news--Fort
Pulaski surrendered yesterday. the balls
from the enemys 12 & 13 in. guns went
clear through the walls. All the bar
bette guns were dismounted and many
of the casemates. Only four men wounded.
Nothing can prevent the capture of Savan-
nah. This is a heavy blow to us and
will fill the enemy with delight
It is a small result, however, to be accom
plished in six mos. by an expedition
so large as that of Shermans. We
hear also that a party of the enemys
cavalry took possession of Huntsville
Ala. capturing 15 engines. If this is
so the rail road connexion between
this & the South & west is broken
which will be a fatal thing to us.
We may expect daily an attack of the
enemy upon Magruders lines. They
outnumber him greatly, but I believe
he will drive them back. Eugene I
think is there. I have not had any
intelligence from him since his note 28
ult. We hear the 11th Regt. has gone
to Richd. New Orleans is expecting an
attack every day and our forces there
are very sanguine of driving them back.
Big guns & rifled have rendered useless
all the forts on the coast. Frigates
like the French Glorie of the English
Black Warrior would demolish all
the works in N.Y. harbour in half a day
I believe the Merrimac could have
take Fortress Monroe. I have been
musing over, for the first time for
may years Colmans "broad grins" Their
grossness & obscenity are shocking. There
is some art and he has marvelous
powers of verification. The necessity[?] of
rhyme seems to impose no restraint upon
the flow of his thoughts. The work has
fallen into oblivion which is a fate
it deserves from its vulgarity.


George Colman "the younger," 1762-1836, an English dramatist also know for his humorous, coarse and popular poetry .


MSS 4763