1862 May 13 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, editor and banker in Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]
 Tuesday 13  Mr. Howell, who has been at
tending to Mr Lee since his arrival
here, returned to his company this mor
-ning.  He is of Quaker descent and
a very genteel young man--He has
been a most faithful nurse We part
from him with regret--A very dull
day in Bank--little to do.  Rumour
of Jackson having cut off Millroys
retreat--and likely to take the whole
army of the enemy--the Burning
of the Merrimac confirmed--It
seems to me thus, as Talleyrand
says, is worse than a crime-- it is a
fault--But here may be circum-
stances we do not now know which
rendered it advisable.  Most  [?]
[?] times--Every hour big with
the fate of [?] In the afternoon
went with Mary to visit Mrs Barbour
Dr Waller & Dr Mercers family and
Jane Kean--I went also to Mrs. Stuarts
who read me a letter from the General
giving an account of the Battle of
Williamsburg--Came home by the [?]
and accompanied to the  house Dr. John
-son wife & son, & Billy, who spent
the evening with us--Mrs J. a very
interesting & intelligent woman.

MSS 4763