1862 July 5 Richmond (Blackford)

Uncle Lewis' lodgings--On Main bet. 6th & 7th
            2 doors above 7th
              Richmond
        Saturday night--July 5 1862

Mrs Wm M Blackford Lynchburg
My Dear Mother


On Friday we had a R.R. accident 1 1/2 miles below
Amelia C. H. resulting in the death of 4 or 5 persons and wounding of
several others.  This detained us a day indeed we did not reach Richmond
until 9 o'ck last night. We i.e. about 20 ladies & gentlemen of our crew--were
most hospitably entertained during our delay by Dr. Cheatham whose house
was very near the scene of the accident.  Personally I had no cause to regret
and had a good time during the stoppage.  Last night I was very kindly entertained
by Mr & Mrs Alex Rutherfoord, where I left Mrs Leftwich this morning after
breakfast.  Today I got a pass but was unable to get proper information
of the whereabouts f Jackson's Div in time enough to start out for it to
day. My brigade I lean is 25 to 30 miles below town; exactly where, nobody knows
I expect to start out on foot for it tomorrow in company with a friend &
messmate of mine here who is just returned from sick-leave.  It will be a tedious journey.


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I have been with Uncle Lewis a good deal to day and stay with him to
night.  I have enjoyed his company much & he has been very kind & attentive
I have also met crowds of friends and acquaintances--Our battery
was engaged on Tuesday and lost 2 or 3 men killed and several wounded.
No one in whom I felt any interest whatever save as members of the co. & fellow
soldiers was injured, thank God, nor any one you know or know of.  several
of my friends were bruised, but none worth mentioning scarcely by shell fragments I think
All of my brothers are safe, so far as I can make out.  Holmes Boyd has seen
Eugene since Tuesday's fight.  Holmes was in town to day.  I was at Mr G watkins
this morning--Col Withers is there doing well, but desperately wounded, I shd think.
There are also one sick soldier (of 5 weeks standing) and two wounded brothers named
Marshall from La.  Besides Col Watkins has some of his friends with him.
The most general impression here seems to be that McClellan will save most
of his army under cover of his gunboats.  I was at Gen. Lee's this evening
Mrs. Lee told me she had a note from her husband to day dated Westover.
She says he has not been home since the fighting began last week.
The president too is said to be very fond of the field and goes out frequently
I will write again as soon as possible.  Uncle Lewis sends you & all ours his love.
Please tell Robin of my excessive regret that being hurried
off without bidding him farewell as I intended. The same to Mary Jane
                                                                     Your affec Son
                                                                      L. M. Blackford.


Lancelot Minor Blackford of the Rockbridge Artillery


MSS 5088