1862 April 28 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]

Monday  28 Bright day--scarcely genial as
temperature, but it is delightful to
see the sun for the whole time--very
hard at work most of the day. Mr Lee
not so well--I find in the morning
Virginian an announcement by Button
that Mr. L. is at my house--This is an
-noying and puts one in an awkward
position towards Dr. Berkley--What
possible use was there in mentioning
the fact--My incredulity as to the
capture of N. Orleans was not without
foundation.  There seems no doubt the
two gun-Boats at least passed the
forts & had come up to the city, threat
-ening to shell it.  There had been no
surrender at latest dates--but I
take it for granted it must fall
--It is a most serious blow to the cause
-I will not say a fatal one.  There must
have been great mismanagement. These
southern papers are great braggards
but when the comes they cannot
be relied on.  I was surprized[sic] at the
number of strange forces on the streets.
Letter from Lanty--also one from
Eugene--same date 24th Inst--both
will and both enduring hardships
like true soldiers.  Eugene in a dan-
gerous & honorable post commanding
a batallion in an advanced redoubt.
He has a shell 22 in long & 7 in dia
meter which was thrown from a
gun boat 4 miles off--Attended a
meeting of vestry. Went to Sues in
the evening--on return found Mrs
Richd Davis had arrived.  She
says the enemy 's cavalry were with
in 5 miles Orange C.H. and that
Ewells division had certainly gone
to Jacksons and would join him to
night--Letter from Charles announcing
his election by a unanimous vote--War
wick also re-elected--Horner & Alexander
made 2 & 3 L.

MSS 4763