1862 June 10 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Tuesday 10.  I was wakened about 3 by
a step on the porch which proved
to be Charles.  He was with some
30 more cavalry cut off at Harper's
Ferry last Saturday week, since when
he has been withing the enemys lines
and had a series of the most roman-
tic adventures and endured many
perils & privations--He lost every thing
including his own horse and one
which he captured--I have not heard
a more romantic story for a long
time---Sure enough the telegram
brought us news of the complete rout
of Shields by Jackson & Ewell yes-
-terday with the loss of his artillery
and many prisoners--Truly Jackson
is becoming the hero of the war.
Reinforcements to the amt of 14 or 15
hundred men passed through to day
for his army.  They are Georgia
Regiments just from the sea coast
of S. Carolina--more are coming on
Would that he had 10,000 more men

in addition to his force.  He would
sweep the enemy out of the Valley
--cold rain storm all day--most
unseasonable weather.  Lambert
Minor came in the course of the
day and spent the night with
us.  I had expected to go to Richmd
but think it best to defer the
trip and see if correspondence can
-not affect the object.

MSS 4763