1862 May 30 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Friday 30 Went at an early hour to the
Orange Depot to deliver letters to Jack
Seddon for Lanty--Jack commands the
Irish Battalion and is on his way to join
it  Met at Depot, Rev. Mr. Meade, who
was waiting for Luch Minor (Ridgway)
the cars started before she arrived--Saw
her a few minutes after with Charles
in his carriage.  Charles, Sue & Lucy &
Dr. Houston & Kemper went up in
the packet on a fishing excursion --a
frolic jaunt under present circum
stances--During the day Andrew Grin
-nan called upon me--an interesting
looking young man, who has prospered in
the world.  The mails in the evening
strange to say brought letters from all
my sons, except Charles who is here
William's first work, as Captain of
Engineers, was to build a floating bridge
across the James at Warwick--This
he did in less than a week from
the time he recd the order.  Gen Johnston
addressed a letter of thanks and com-
mendation to him, and Gen Huger &
Secretary Randolph visited the work
and expressed their admiration--He
has recd his commission.  Lewis has
charge of the topography between the
James & Appomattox and divides
his time between the saddle & [?]
[?] [?] He has had several narrow
row[sic] escapes from the enemy. He is
animated b a furious hate of the
Yankees--Gen Armistead is very
attentive to him---All of Hugers di
vision has  [?] to join Johnston
Lanty's letter is dated 25th.  Sunday
in the evg 4 miles beyond Win-
chester---that morning in a fight
with the enemy, his company lost
25 killed & wounded--He says the
danger they were in was tenfold
greater than at Kernstown--Robt
McKim of Bath (Ran's cousin) and
young Gregory an Allen[?] of [?]
[?] were killed--Berkeley Minor
recd a contusion on the shoulder
from a piece of shell.  Eugenes
letter is long & interesting--written
on picket--he says he has more
confidence in McClellans doing us
good than in our own Generals
& is persuaded there is intelligence
between the Head Qr. of the two
armies.  The Yankees will think so
too,if as the papers say, McClellan
is recoiling.  His fate is sealed if he
fails, and fail he must--Jackson
has crossed the Potomac at Williams
port. Every additional particular
enhances the value of his achieve
-ments--The medical stores alone
captured at Winchester are worth
$2000 00--Eight thousand stand of
arms, quite new, and great quanti
ty of ammunition, & nearly all the guns
are among the spoils--If he can
he can take it. To threaten  at [?]
will bring back half McClellans
army--Mr. Lee & his brother came
in the packet--homeward bound--He
has not improved much.  Thunder
shower between 3 & 4.

MSS 4763