1862 April 18 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Friday 18 April day.--Thermometer 82°
at 4 P.M. I suffered much from
the heat--Wrote to Eugene--This
being Good Friday, attended church
--large congregation and good sermon
It is a curious circumstance that
nearly every family which it has sought
refuge here or that has come here in
consequence of its being being engaged
in the Rail Road office or in the Hos-
-pital is Episcopal--I know but two
exceptions--Easter Sunday, some 25
strangers will commune with us.
At 1/2 past 4 afternoon the Funeral
of Col. R. M. McKinney, whose remains
reached here in the S. S. train--He was
shot through the head while waving
his crop and encouraging his Regt to
charge.--He was a truly pious and
amiable young man, and esteemed
& respected by all who knew him. I
really dont know what the family
will now do.

MSS 4763