1862 August 19 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Tuesday 19  My Birthday! Three score
and one!  It finds me today much
indisposed--I forgot to mention un
-der yesterday's entry that Sue &
Fanny minor dined here yesterday
and that it was intend[ed] it should
be considered an anticipated celebra
tion of my birthday.  I have a good
many things pressing upon my mind
--the dreadful state of the country
--the danger to which my boys
are exposed--and particularly the
illness of Eugene, my own state
of health, and the increasing demands
upon a stationary income--still I
have many blessings to acknowledge
and to be grateful for--Had a good
deal to do in Bank--but rested three
hours after dinner and this and
abstinence checked my di[?] The
party got off this morning. at a little
after 5--Scarcely had they gone
when Richd Davis arrived in a
troop train from Orange C.H.--He re-
ports the army advancing and re
-ceiving reinforcements daily--Richd
is going into service as chaplain to
the 6th Cavalry Col. Flournoy & will
return from Flat Creek Wednesday
Letter at night from Mary--Eugene
had little or no fever but the pain
in his leg continues--Letter also from
Lanty--dated Friday--long but less
interesting than his letters usually
are.

MSS  4763