1862 July 7 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Monday 7.  Another exceedingly hot day
Had to turn out & hunt an assistant
in the bank--found him in young
[?] Jennings of the Home Guard--on
sick furlough.  got through with his
help very well--In the eveng went
to see Mr Jellin who is quite sick
Letter from Lanty in Richd McClel
land has saved himself by getting
to the point on the Jas River under co
-ver of his gun-boats, where he is
fighting and where he has recd
reinforcements--It is said our failure
to capture a greater part of the army
was owing to the drunkenness of Magruder
and the imbecility of Huger--La was
much incensed against both.  rumors
of notification by two European powers
that the war must cease had been
recd by the U. S. Govt.--upon which Lin-
-coln issued a proclamation calling for
300,000 men--I hope our people
will not be lulled into any security by
this story of foreign intervention.  it
has been our bane.   We must look
to ourselves and no one else.

MSS 4763