Saturday, May 5, 2012

1862 May 6 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Tuesday 6  clear and cool.  Jackson crossed
the Ridge to Meachums River and then
took the Rail Road to Staunton where
his army arrived Sunday & Monday and
effected a Junction with Johnson (2d) Ewell
crossed too & occupies the old position
of Jackson. Altogether they have 23,000
men and can sweep Banks out of the
Valley--all reports [agree?] that he is fal
-ling back--Our forces reoccupy Harris
-sonburg--Norfolk is yet safe--Our army
witht the loss of some such & their
heavy guns have taken up their new
position--Much sickness said to be in
McClellans army.  Mrs. Robertson
and the girls dines with us--also Mrs
Mary Berkeley (widow of Dr. Edmund Berke
-ley of Staunton)  They came last night to
see Averett--A young Dr Rogers of
the Maryland Regt. called with a letter
of introduction to Mary Isabella from a
University friend of his.

MSS 4763


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