1862 May 26 Lynchburg, Va.

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



Monday 26 Laid in bed until after break-
fast & then rose very uncertain whe
ther I could keep up all day--Let
ter from Lanty dated Thursday night
sent 3 miles below Luray. Jackson
& Ewells forces had formed a junction
and were going down towards Front Royal
at 25.000 strong.   In the past 23
days Jackson had marched 20--and his
men were completely knocked up--In the
morning we had a dispatch  that he
captured two regiments of the enemy
at Front Royal and took much bag-
gage--later in the day received official
information  that he took possession of
Winchester yesterday capturing 2000 prison
ers and an immense amount of ordnance
& commissary stores, and that the enemy
were closely pursued.  This indeed is glo
rious & important news. It cannot fail
to operate a diversion in favor of Rich
mond.  The troops at Fredg will be
recalled to defend Washington for
Jackson will threaten it.  The news
had a most refreshing influence upon
the [?] of our people.  It cured me
and I kept all day.   Mary R.
and her little ones came from Mt.
Athos today--to go on Wednesday with
her father to Abingdon Went in the
evening to Charles' with Mary R & did
not get  home until 10.  There has
been a battle at Lewisburg, in which
Gen Stuart was defeated with small
loss of men and two cannon--owing to
a panic which seized the 45 Va Regt
which ran shamefully--Capt Gayton
Otey was wounded in the shoul
der and reached here last night


MSS 4763