1862 July 13 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Sunday 13  Took an anodyne last night
which as usual produced watch
-fulness - felt very disagreeable--Went
to the P.O. at 8 am. and on my re-
turn stopped at the hospital
while there talking with Dr
Mercer began to feel sick& dizzy
and was prevented from fainting
with great difficulty--lost my [?]
[?] almost [?] --but by
resolute will recovered.  I was much
alarmed--Laid on the bed most
of the day.  Charles & Fannie
came over to stay all night.

MSS  4763