1862 April 16 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Wednesday 16 No rain--but sky over
cast and weather warm--Telegram
announces that the enemy acknowledge
a loss at Shiloh of 23,000 and yet
claim a great victory. Went to
church and found Mrs. Stuart, who
with her children went home with
May & spent the day at our house-
-much pleasure with her. She was
born in a Barracks and has been
all her life nearly in the army
-She is the daughter of Gen Phillip
St Geo. Cooke, who adheres to
the old government, whilst her
husband & brother are in our
army--wrote to Lanty.

MSS 4763