1862 July 24 Lynchburg

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

Thursday 24  Bought a charger for
Eugene--Of course I did not re
ly upon my own judgment- a
council composed of Dr. Wickham
Medical Director, my brother, &
Geo. M B[ruce?] of the livery stable
united in saying she was [undoubtedly?]
suited for his purposes, and at
the current prices very cheap
at 225$--She is a beautiful black
mare not too large, full of action
and spirit.  This is the first time
in my life I have bought a horse
--very much worried on packing a
box for Eugene containing among other
things a pair of boots at $25 I was
worried at the first thing he ordered
being Boots & spurs--this before
he said a word about the horse.
About sundown went to Dranes
to tea or rather coffee, called at
Mrs. Barbours to see her son James
who is quite sick.  Before supper
Edmund came to announce to me
that Richd Davis & Willie, had come
in from Flat Creek - &that Mr. William
son one of the young [?] [?]
who who [sic] cam here with Lanty
on 27 June had also arrived.
Mary I was at Charles' & her mother
I know was very much exhausted
--so I hastened home, I found William
-son quite sick in bed. He had had
measles in Richd & was knocked
up the ride to day.  Sent for
Dr. Minor. He has been made A A Gen
to Gen Steuart, now at the University
Mary & I had been remarking this
morning that there had been no ar
-rival for several days & that we
were enjoying being alone and
this with our inhospitable sentiment
Peggy's indisposition renders the rest
quite acceptable

MSS 4763