1862 June 28 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Satufeay 28  The board ordered me to invest
$200,000 more in bonds--very vague
accounts of the battle yesterday--all
favorable however.  Some of the casualties
reach us Dick Phelps killed--Col Wi-
thers of the 18 wounded--Nothing to
assure me of the safety of my boys
-but I take no news to be favorable
and should hope for the best.  Eugene
I know has been engaged
Later in the day telegrams
came announcing that the enemy
were driven back several miles, that
the battle was still going on-6000
prisoners already taken--including three
Generals--90 or 100 guns & that our
forces were surrounding McClellan
and that a hope was entertained that
he would have to capitulate--If he
is cut off from the gun boats.  I think
this probable enough.  Lee in com-
mand and exciting admiration
by the manner in which his plans
are carried out--I always predicted
he would be the man--I  did not
regret that the wound of Johnson
was not healed.--I wanted Lee to have
a fair chance.--News also that France
& England had determined to interfere
The N.Y. Herald admits it to be no longer
doubtful--Butlers "order" is denounced
in parliament in the most violent
manner. The vaporing of the Herald
on the occasion is truly characteristic
Coming home in the evening found
Mathew Maury & his daugher Ma
ry and Richard Davis--Mathews [wife?]
had reached Fredg and was to return
Monday--She wished to be back
with her Mary and home  [?]her spee-
-dy return & the necessity of her
going to Richd tomoerow--Richd is on
his way to Flat Creek, summoned 
by his wife to help nurse the ser
vants.  The old fever has broken out
there--nineteen cases--Most high
-ly delighted with the intervention[?]

MSS 4763