1862 July 20 1 mile from Gordonsville

                       Sunday--July 20 1862
Camp of the Rockbridge Artillery 1st Brigade
1 mile from Gordonsville, Orange co. Va.
Mr. Wm. M. Blackford, Lynchburg

                   My Dear Father
                                   I commenced on
Monday last in our camp near Richmond
a long letter home in continuation of the
one dispatched on Sunday.  I was interrupted
by an order to be in readiness to march.
The order actually to march did not come
until Tuesday morning but still I could
write no more letter that day.  I retain
it however unfinished to write up as
soon as I can get a chance, and now
only write a few lines to give you my
reckoning since last accounts, and to
assure you of my continued good health
and safety.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs-
day we marched, in common with the
rest of the Artillery of Jacksons command
on the third day reaching Louisa C.H.
The Infantry came up by Rail Road.

[page 2]
We remained at Louisa C.H. one day
and yesterday came to this place.
We are now under marching orders
for to morrow morning, whether we
do not know of course.  You may
rely upon my writing to you at
length as soon as I can get time
which I hoped to have to day
and have not.  I have had a
laborious time since I got back
to the company; have been acting
ostler all the time, our numbers
being so much reduced as to make
it necessary for cannoneers to be
drivers.  This will not be a perma-
nent arrangement however.  If another
offer like that of Dr. Williams' comes for
me be sure to let me know of it.  I
have been thinking it would have been
notably unwise in me to decline that
if it had reached me-- My best love to
all. In great haste
                       Your affectionate son
                                L. M. Blackford

[cross hatched on left side of page 2]

Write to me addressing in full
                        Gordonsville


MSS 5088