1862 April 17 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Spring weather--At six
this morning a young gentleman
called with a letter of introduction
from Dr. Claggett. He was named Harri
-son & with his brother had been since
June last in Fredk Co Md. at school, where
they came from Kenyon College where
they had been for two years. They got
over to Leesburg and then on foot
until they got to Barbour X roads
where they were taken by our pickets
and carried to Ewells Hd Qrs. they
were sent on horseback to Culpeper
CH where they took the cars. They
are now on their way to their fathers
in northern Louisiana. They are manly
and intelligent young men and intend to
enter the army. They are grandsons
of Dr. Grafton Duval, whom I used to
know in Frederick some 40 yrs ago--strange
what one encounters. They had 100 and odd
dollars in gold, which I exchanged [?]
rather for 57 1/2 percent. They spent the
evening with us. I in common with
all who knew him; was shocked by
a telegram announcing the death of Col
Rob McKenney, of this place, commanding
15 N.C. regt. He was killed in a skirmish
below York Town yesterday. He was a
fine young man & the only support
of a helpless family--Our loss was 20
killed & 75 wounded--Letter from
Eugene 10th Inst. He is at or was then at
the junction of the Warwick & James R
He describes his sufferings and privations
as very great, but writes with great
enthusiasm and is anxious for the great
battle--and anticipates victory. It has
been 18ds since we heard from him.
Mary R. returned in the cars. She was
three days in company with William
-She saw him with some 3000 cavalry
leave Richd yesterday for the Peninsula
and describes it as the grandest sight
she ever witnessed. Six thousand infantry
who passed through and an immense
train of artillery--Letter from Lanty
dated 14: got board for Mrs. Stuart
at Meriwethers & for Dr. Green at
Mrs Christians. Young Rutledge came
to stay with us--Charles left home
this morng. I went to the cars to see him.
He did not arrive until the train was
in motion & the boys had to run hard
to throw his baggage on board.

MSS 4763