1862 July 23 Lynchburg

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

Wednesday 23   Had a full nights rest
not an "arrival" during yesterday
Walked over to Charles after break
fast.  [Wm?] writes that he and
his men quartered one night in
the barn at Mt Airy-- that he
went to the house and saw on the
trees the initials of his name, his
sister, Lanty Keans and others--
with dates running from '35 to
to '53--What a  world of recollection
must have been awakening.  He
had been much with General Jackson
riding over the country and was
much pleased with him as a man
His troops was still attached to him
as an escort--which is a more pleasant
service than with the regiment He
says nothing about his health
Nothing of interest during the
day.  At 4 went to attend the funeral
of Capt Hobbes--but the heavy
rain induced them to postpone
it until tomorrow at qr past 8
--Shocking accident on the S.S.R.R.
yesterday by which four soldiers
were killed and some 30 or 40
more or less wounded--Some very
severely.  Morgan still spreading
terror in Kentucky.  He had taken
Cynthiana--Halleck has resigned.



MSS 4763