1862 June 24 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  24  Here is a long interval during
which I have not made an entry
For several days of the last week I
was much engaged about various
matters and on Thursday 19 I went
to Richmond on business of the Bank
that is to buy bonds--I had tele-
graphed to Gwathen that I should be
there and his son had taken the
trouble to notify them so that on my
arrival I found William, Lewis,&
Eugene at the house.  It is the first
time for some years I have had them to
-gether--they are all well--remarka
bly so--Mary Gwathen is very kind
to them & they, or rather Lewis & Eugene
made her house their head quar
ters--Friday morning, I transacted
business with the Treasury Depart
-ment--and at 12 went with Wm
to see his Pontoon Bridge--He had
a steam tug at  his disposal, & we
steamed down in a few minutes.  The
bridge is very simple in its construction
some 20 or 30 boats--schooners & canal
boats are anchored head to stern at
the distance of 25 feet, bow, of course, [up?]
[stream?]  --across these are laid four
rows of sill 16 in by 4--and then
plank put on in the usual way.  There
is in the middle a large lighter
which serves as a draw bridge.  Wm
says when ordered to do the work
he had no book to refer to and had
to depend on his own resources--He
spend three days in getting the
materials, vessels &c and commenced
building Saturday at 10 AM & had the
work finished  6 P.M. Monday,--After
examining the Bridge we proceeded to
Drewrys bluff and went over the
batteries which are certainly very for
-midable as are the obstructions in
the river--I feel  [?] the enemy
will never pass there--but they
may be carried by an attack on the
land side.  The batteries are all
casemated--the guns of tremendous cali
-ber and manned by sailors--spent the
evening with Rob Maury whom I met
[?] & his son Dick, Major 24
th- wounded in Btl at Seven Pines
Saturday I devoted to business pretty
much, and did all I could accomplish
at present getting about 107 [?] of bonds
Saw Lewis in his way to Petersburg
on duty--Took tea at Robt. Maurys
Sunday; Wm sent his horse on for me
and I rode out to his quarters. Eugene
came just before I started.  I regretted
being thus cut off  from for the day
William & I called on Gen Huger At
his Hd Qrs.--then at the camp of the
Beauregard Artillery --then at the
camp of the 11 Regt and then rode
on to Gen Gardlands [sic] Hd. Qrs. where
we were expected to dine.  We had
a very good dinner.  At 3 witnessed
a Brigade Inspection.  His Brigade
a[l]together of N.C. regiments--I never
saw a larger[?] or finer looking set of men
than those of 20: N.C. which was drawn
up in front of Hd.Qrs.  After dinner
rode with Garland & William through
our lines which I though very
strong--saw many parties at work
went within a mile of the pickets
but had to return on account of the
lateness of the hours--Found  Eugene
at Marys--but he would not stay
all night--Lewis, who returned in
the evening train from Petersburg, remained
all night. Monday eveng--got to
te cars in time & met Martha Mau
ry & dick who accompanied me
home.  shortly after our arrival
tee came  Willy Davis & his cousin
Ann on their way to Careyswood where
they are to remain a while--Found Ran-
dolph McKim at our house. He
is no aid to Gen Stuart, who
is wounded at the house of Dr. Davis
Mary has been very sick during
my absence--and has not yet re-
covered

Tuesday 24--very early breakfast for
Mathew Dick & Randolph McKim
The two former took the Charlottes
ville train--the latter the Richd
Found arrrearages of work which
kept me very busy all day.--much
worried by not being able to lay
my hands upon these mptes pf tje
Mobile & Ohio R R Co which
a telegram informed me would
now be paid.  I have satisfied myself
they were not forwarded for collection.
Heard that Launcelot had been left
in Staunton sick & disable.  I
hope he may be able to come home
after night Mr Old, wounded at
7 Pines, called upon us. He was at
the University with Lanty & was his
pupil at Stranges--a very inteli
gent young man.

MSS 4763