1862 April 7 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Monday 7 Morning cloudy, cold & damp
much rain during the day. About
10 o'clock vague rumors began to
spread that our army at Corinth
Miss. had gained a great victory--
I listened with distrust-warned
by experience-gradually the reports
assumed more & more consistence &
the fact of a victory was announced
on the bulletin board. Six thousand
prisoners & eight batteries of guns
were said to be taken. The telegraph
operators, who are bound I suppose
not to reveal what is passing through
tantalised us by giving out that
the victory was complete--far grea-
ter than manassas--that a hundred
guns were taken, but that we
had lost a great man. About
12 Gen Beauregards official dis-
patch was given to the public
It stated in substance that after
ten hours hard fighting we had
yesterday driven the enemy from
all his positions[?] and by the bles
sing of almighty God had gained
a complete victory--that our
loss was large included the
commander in chief, Gen A. S. John
son who had fallen when lead
ing his men into the thickest of
the bttle. The public mind
being thus assured that a great
victory had been gained rebounded.
The exultation and joy exceeded
that which the battle of manassas
elicited --owing to the depression caused
by the disasters of the winter--There
was no extravagance of feeling man
-fested,but I never witnessed a more
heartful pleasure on every side.
If properly improved this victory might
arrest the progress of the federal
armies in the west. The recapture
of Nashville will be a consequence.
In my entry of Sunday last I say
"There is too much reason to fear
that this beautiful and holy day
will be desecrated by God's creatures
kiling each other." I contempla
ted the possibility of a fight at or
near Corinth, but had given imme
diate reference to the Peninsula where
they had been skirmishing Saturday.
It is said the enemy retired from
our lines--There is no doubt Rodes
brigade has gone to York Town, so
that Eugene will be in any fight
that may take place. Lanty's let
ter appeared in the Republican this
morning--Wrote to Dimmock about
a[r]m[y]? bill. By the way, the Governor
has made him a Brigadier General
by Brevet. He well deserves the honor
empty though it be. His labours
in the Ordnance Department have
really been Herculean. Charles
came home with me in the evening.
The narrative of his adventures when
on reconnoitering duty was very interesting.
The service must be excessively exciting.
He has seen hard service--as indeed
all my boys, Lewis excepted--have
done.

MSS 4763