1862 June 8 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Sunday 8  Very large congregation -and
excellent sermon--nothing of any
interest in the way of news---wrote
to May Jane--Capt Wm Nelson, of
Clarke County took tea with us
a brother in  law of Mr Lee.  He was
shot through the lungs at Manassas
and was an excellent officer, but
in the re-election of officers was
beaten--I have rarely seen a more
elegant gentleman.  He is the son of
the late Col. Thos. Nelson of Mecklen
-burg who was an officer in the war
of 1812 and represented his district
in Congress & afterwards removed to
Georgia.--Service at night instead
of 5 oclock as heretofore.  In the
afternoon there was a  p baptismal
service at and at Jno. Miller's request
I acted as sponsor with him for
his boy.  Charles stood in like man
-ner for Kean's son.

MSS 4763