1862 April 3 Valley Turnpike

Thursday April 3, 1862
Bivouack of the Rockbridge Artillery 1st Brigade
on the Valley Turnpike 3 miles from M. Jackson- 4 from New Market
Shenandoah County, Va.

Mrs. Wm. M. Blackford--Lynchburg

My Dear Mother
I dispatched to you on
Saturday a very long letter containing some account of
the late Battle near Winchester between this army and that
of the invader under Banks. I trust it came to hand.
I shall make it my aim, as far as circumstances permit
to write to you all at home twice a week, though often
this is impossible. We are in daily expectation of a fight
and even when spending a whole day inactive this expecting
frame of mind is not favorable to letter-writing. We rarely
spend three days in the same place, and sometimes go a week
without spending two nights consecutively in the same spot.
We may have no fight here for a good while, and yet
we may have one any day. The latter is now probable
and to it we would all look with cheerfulness if we had
even one man to the enemy’s two. On the other hand we
have good reason to believe they have at least 4 to 1 of us
I shall endeavour to continue my consecutive personal
narrative of events, as you request. I commence with this
letter--or rather from the first of April, this being my first letter
home this month--to number my letters in this course.
Whether written to you or father, unless partaking in no
measure of the narrative, I shall number them so that
whenever the war is over, if I survive it, I may collect
and preserve them for my own pleasure, instead of a Diary
of events during this interesting period of my life. I write the
long letters I do, you know, instead of keeping a Diary

[page 2]
Your late letter --or rather the first part of it I observe
was written on the 23rd ult, the very day of the Battle,
probably at the very time we were in the heat of the conflict
I read the whole of it with peculiar pleasure. It contained
many things that interested me I had heard of the death
of little Lucy Landon before your letter came and was deeply
concerned to hear it. I have written to bro. Charles once I
heard of it, you know I did too after little Willy’s death
I want to write to Sister Sue when I can find the time
I have been frequently at Mr. Wrenman’s in Edinburg since
I wrote before of the family there and have received a good
deal of kindness at their hands. My intercourse there, for
a time at least is now interrupted, as the enemy took pos-
session of the town day before yesterday I do not know that
they have yet come any further. Their progress is much re-
tarded by the burning of bridges, and many other more active
annoyances to which Ashby’s Cavalry subjects them. The
Shenandoah River and large creeks frequently intersect the
turnpike in this quarter of the Valley. Ashby burns all the
bridges on both Rail Road and Turnpike as he falls back
Edinburg is about then miles below this point. Jno. Wrenman
and his family remained in the town & are of course now
cut off from their friends outside of the Enemy’s lines.
I doubt whether they will be subjected to much annoy-
ance. except pilfering and the ordinary danger to a coun-
try of any army occupying it we are not informed
that the invading army very much annoy the people.
The scoundrels will steal, that’s natural to the Yankee,
--”it’s the nature of t he beast” and must be pardoned,

[page 3]
but I do not think that they injure the country
much more than a friendly army. Such at least I
infer from all accounts that have reached us. It is
certain that there was no truth in the rumours of
the arrest of Messrs. Barbour and Williams, or of the burning
of Mr. Mason’s or any other house. Mr. M’s house is said
to be the HdQrs of Gen. Banks--The family have all departed.
The enemy have--at least at last accounts a few days since--
arrested no one and destroyed no property. They have tried
elsewhere the other course, and are now trying to charm
the people into submission: rattle-snake fashion. I believe
this course will be equally unavailing with the great
bulk of the people of this Valley, particularly of Shenandoah,
which strikes me as particularly loyal to our Government & cause.
We have had many and trustworthy accounts from Winchester
since the Hessians occupied it, and certainly it seems the
people there had been suspected most unjustly I cannot
learn that more than 2 or 3 “Union” flags have ever been ex-
habited by the citizens, though the enemy have hung out
plenty, one or two across the street, Etc. One Sunday they
had service in the Episcopal church by one of their parsons
-an Episcopal minister of course. Not a member of the congregation
usually worshipping there would attend. The Rector, Rev. Mr
Meredith has long since left Winchester and I am told has
entered the service. The people of the town generally are said
to refuse to consort with the federal officers or soldiers. I’ll be answered
for it none of the young ladies I know there ---& most of them remained-
with[sic] condescend to allow, if she can help it one of these mur-
derous dogs to pollute her presence.


[page 4]
Cousin Bill Thurman has two children. The elder Mary
Caroline, I suppose about 5 or 6 years old & the younger
Charles Blackford, a little fellow of 2 or 3, I suppose.
I was glad to hear from my brothers and hope you will
always mention them when you write mentioning their
address though I have but small opportunity to write
to them. I always think of them much & often &[sic] pray for them constantly
Remember that my address is now New Market, Shenandoah
as the office at Mt. Jackson has been broken up. Letters
that have been addressed to the latter place will reach me, because
they will be stopped at the army P.O., whatever that is.
It is pleasant however that soldiers generally get their
letters even if not quite properly directed. They find
us out wherever we are, because every body knows where
that is. always address letters at the last office mentioned
in my letters and you need have no fear of them not reaching me.
You speak of refugees in Lynchburg. This is a class
of people we see here a great deal. Indeed a large
part of the Infantry of this Brigade are such--e.g. the en
tire 2d Va. Regt. The Colonel of this Regt. Col. J.W. Allen, whose
conduct in the battle of Manassas excited much animadversion
and whose courage since has hitherto been openly disputed, I was
glad to say fully and by universal admission vindicated
himself in the Battle of Winchester. He behaved with
great gallantry, at one time leaping from his horse and
seizing the flag to lead his men on anew to the contest
Our officers generally behaved well--field & company. The
wound of Col. Echols in the arm was the only loss in or
injury sustained by any field officers in our army. It was
untrue that Col. Moore of the 4th Va. was killed. He is safe.
The officers of our Battery all deported themselves in a
highly satisfactory manner. Brig. Gen. Garnett’s conduct
enjoys the universal commendation of our Infantry
--we saw but little of him, he being chiefly with them;
the most dangerous place by the way. Gen. Jackson’s conduct
was of course was fully worthy of his reputation.

[page 5]

You express regret that you cannot be more useful when
your husband and sons are exerting themselves for the country
Does it never occur to you that an influence may eman-
ate from a sick room which may do more to advance the
cause than the most constant and efficient efforts in a
Soldiers’ Aid Society, or the most earnest exertions in the way
of Gun Boats, that are constantly heralded in the papers?
Or does it never occur to you that a long course of careful
home education, instilling of sound principles, on your
past, has given you sons that sense of honour, and love
of liberty and justice that prompted them to enter at a
early day in this glorious struggle. In his we certainly
did nothing more than our duty. I have many a time
regretted that I did not enter the army earlier though
the delay at the time seemed wise: I certainly intended
from the very first to be a soldier in the cause, which
had my perfect confidence always, and my enthusiastic support.
I am glad to know sister Mary and her little ones are
still with you. Please give my love to you her and kiss
the little folks who I am anxious should not forget me.
I saw Col. Botts yesterday and delivered him your kind
message. He asked me to give his love to you; and seems
always gratified to hear from all ours after whom he
constantly inquires: he treats me with much consideration
and courtesy. At our present bivouack the 2d Va. is very near
us, and its Hed Qrs not more than 50 yrds. from our mess
I skipped over last evening and staid an hour or two there with
Col. Botts & the other field officers, all of whom I know.

[page 6]
Whom does Miss Bev Rudd marry and when is it to be?
I had not even heard she was engaged. Will Mary ac-
cept her invitation to be one of her bridesmaids?
I was glad to hear of Robin Berkeley’s being in Lynchburg
I hope he has a good furlough: Is it a sick leave or a
re-enlistment furlough? Tell him we shall in all prob-
ability have such a company in our reorganization as I
can comfortably recommend to him, both as to officers
and men If he designs coming to us let him write
to me immediately to secure him a place in it, as they
will be somewhat at a premium. I read his letter stating
his design of joining Otey’s Battery if the Home Guard shd
be thus converted: otherwise I suppose he will come to us.
Berkeley is well and acknowledges your remembrance
of him always with gratitude. He has been a little
ailing lately but the beautiful spring weather to day
seems to have completed his restoration to usual health.
Charles Minor did not prosecute his application for
a discharge, at any rate he is still with us. He has
not reenlisted and will not enter the service again
without at least going home for a time. He will enter
it again however & hereafter probably in cavalry.
He and Charles Trueheart are very much pleased al-
ways at your remembrance of them and ask me to return
you their love. Cousin Ann’s P.O. address is Galveston, Tex
Brooke acknowledges your kind messages with many thanks.
He has not reenlisted and will probably change his service.
The great bulk of our fellows however will reenter the
Artillery service; generally remaining here.

[page 7]
I must now resume the thread of my narrative abandoned
in my last letter on Monday 245h ult., the day after the Battle
After camping bivouacking within 5 miles of the battle field Sunday
night, we started out about 10 o’ck Sunday[sic] morning and
came on, to Cedar Creek. Here we fed horses and men. While
eating my dinner I heard cannonading across the creek
in the direction of Winchester (where we were distant 16 miles)
and rather nearer than seemed prudent to allow without
moving our baggage train, as the opposite hills comman-
ded those on this side and the country for a mile or two
from the creek. All of a sudden an order came for the
wagons to be repacked, and sent ahead, and then for the
artillery and infantry in succession to withdraw and make
the best of their way up the Valley--It seemed that the
Enemy had some pieces of Artillery--their powerful rifled
guns-and a large force of cavalry out pursuing us. We
had an inferior, but like force sent ahead to withstand them
two Parrott guns from this battery with others. Our
artillery however had been withdrawn to this side of the
camp before we left our first position. Before we got to any
thing like a place of security the enemy had their guns
on the opposite hills a mile or two off and were trying
to “shell us out.” They came much nearer than was
pleasant with their shells to our retreating trains, con-
sidering its defenceless[sic] character, for even artillery when
moving and not unlimbered is very helpless you know.
There was criminal neglect somewhere in not letting us know
sooner of the close advance of the enemy. We ran imminent risk
of losing all our baggage and artillery, it seemed to me, owing to nothing

[page 8]
in the world but the neglect of the proper authoritizing
to give us orders to move sooner. There was a good deal
of panic among out drivers, not of our co. wagons in particular but all, and even our men. Few things
are more painful to anticipate than being cut to pieces
by cavalry for no reason but the carelessness of one or two men
I myself saw large bodies of the enemy’s cavalry on
the commanding hills on the other side of the creek
and could distinctly see the U.S. flag floating over one of them
As it turned out we left not lost nothing, so far as I
can learn, though we decamped in rather undignified
haste and the first mile or two were constantly
stopped by interruptions to the moving of the train ahead
At one time I was almost confident we were done for
and the general feeling among officers and men about me was for
a half an hour one of calm desperation, added to
deep indignation at the folly that placed us in such a case.
Thanks to a kind Providence we at last got far enough
off to be relieved of apprehension. The chief ground of it
you understand was the advantage of position for
their guns had by the enemy. The bridge over Cedar Creek
had been burnt and there was but an indifferent ford
but under cover of their guns the enemys cavalry might
have come over in large force and cut us to pieces. As
soon as we got out of the range, or rather command
of their guns we could trust to our own cavalry to
protect our rear. Our Parrott guns were among the
last to retire. They were on the hill just this side of
the creek and supported by a body of our brigade Infantry.
The enemy threw one shell into the 27th. Va. and killed & wounded
some 5 or 6 men; our artillerymen saw the poor fellows
lying dead and mangled near the very place where half
an hour before this co. had been cooking and eating.
My friend Macon of Albemarle, a non-commissioned officer was
in charge of one of our guns. He had his horse killed just leaving the place by a shell under
him. The horse did not fall immediately, so Macon dismounted & took off
bridle and saddle & shouldering them marched off after his gun. The enemy allows a loss of 10 men in the skirmish of Monday
I saw it in the Phila Inquirer

[page 9]
Monday afternoon and night we returned from Cedar Creek
to a place about 2 miles this side of Woodstock, a journey
of 14 miles which we made with much expedition.
We remained that night there, bivouacking as we had
done ever since the preceding Friday, and on Tuesday
came up to Cap Buchanan 3 miles this side of Edinburg
Here on Wednesday morning we received orders to lessen
our baggage and blankets to a minimum, and send back
the supplies, and our tents to Harrison burg. this we did
of course with much reluctance but there was no help
for it. That afternoon we were ordered back to the
ground we occupied last, 2 miles this side of Woodstock
where remained until Friday when we returned to Camp
Buchanan. all the week until Saturday the weather was
very fine and we enjoyed it exceedingly. So good was it
we did not miss our tents, except that when we rose
of mornings our blankets were generally pretty frosty & damp.
On Saturday and Sunday the weather was wretched, a cold
rainy mist etc. and we suffered much for the want of
tents, without which we have now been for nearly two weeks
The men construct temporary shelters out of rails, covered
with canvass, (caisson covers generally) or straw and branches.
these are very poor protection against a driving cold rain
--one of those that “rains up“ that an umbrella wont keep off
Saturday night Berkeley and I slept partly in a puddle of
water but this is no rarity. The canvass above us leaks
Our tents will be brought back to us in time, I suppose at[?]
present it is necessary to have as light baggage as possible.

[page 10]
On Friday when we were bivouacking near Woodstock I went up
there and found out my kinsman there Mr. Wm. S. Arthur. I had
heard through several sources of his residence there, and indeed
several of my friends in this co. shared his hospitality the night
we passed through, Monday. He and his wife treated me with every
hospitality and kindness and urged me to come again. I dined
with them that day and destroyed a true soldier’s portion
of good cheer. Mrs. Arthur was particularly kind. She mended
my gloves; gave me some “preparation” for my shoes, insisted
upon having them treated with it by her servant first,
and such like thoughtful attention. Cousin Mary Caroline
had evidently sounded my good name before hand, as she
and Connie Ware bot seemed to have heard of me. They
have one son, that I saw, about 10 yrs. old, probably an only child.
I shall send to Rev. Mr. Phillips in Staunton thirty
dollars with the request that he will forward it
by cheque to Father Please acknowledge it when recd
It will reach you some day next week. I have
had but one letter from home since I got back to
the army. Was 3 weeks to day since I left home.
I have plenty more to write but must close now to save
the mail: will write again as soon as I can. I am
in the enjoyment of buoyant health: the health of
the co. generally is excellent. I send enclosed the white
cotton band we were made to wear round our hats in
the battle of Winchester as a badge. It is the one I wore
I intend it for Mary and hope she may value it
My love to her, & father and kindest regards to Peggy
Your affectionate son L. M. Blackford.

Lancelot Minor Blackford



Colonel John Echols, 1823-1896, a V.M.I. graduate was colonel of the 27th Virginia, and after the war a lawyer and businessman in Staunton, Va.

Colonel Lawson Botts, of the 2nd Virginia, also a V.M.I. graduate, mortally wounded in action at 2nd Manassas on 28 August 1862