1862 April 21 Lynchburg, Va.

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

<u>Monday 21</u>  It rained violently nearly
all the day--cold & stormy--as incl
-ment weather as can be imagined
How dreadful must be the suffering
of troops exposed to its fury.  We have
various rumors of the movements of Jack
son but none that can be relied upon
--I do not believe he will leave the
valley, nor that he can be driving out
Ewell it is said a falling back
to Gordonsville Letter from Eugene
who writes on 18 that he is in com
mand of a redoubt a pistol shot
in advance of the lines at York Town

exposed night & day to the shells
of the inemy[sic]  Letter also from Chas
Minor from Rapidan Station--Charles
had not then reached the company

quite busily engaged at Bank with
a large correspondence.  Meeting of [share?]
holders prevented by rain--Eight
hundred sick & wounded have ar
-rived here within the last two or
three days whilst preparations for
not half that number had been made



MSS 4763