1862 August 19 Orange Court House

[from diary entries made by Lancelot Minor Blackford]

Thursday--Aug. 19, 1862  Though there had been every indication
that we should march to day from the camp 8 miles below
Orange C.H. to the surprise of all we did not.  It is under
stood the delay is due to some difficulty in the commissary
in Longstreet's Corps, and it is much regretted. The weather
is as fine as can be, and not a little disposing to inactiv
ity by its very beauty.  I spent the morning lazily enough.
Orders were read to us from Gen. Jackson's Hd. Qrs. announ
cing the result of Courts Martial in the case of six
deserters in his Corps, condemned to be "shot to death
with musketry."  The cases were all aggravated ones and
doubtless properly approved by Gen. Jackson, grieved as he
was I am sure at the necessity laid upon him of thus
signing the death-warrant of his fellow creatures.   One
of the men condemned escaped from the guard last night

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and has not since been heard of the others were execu-
ted this evening at 5 o'clock: 3 men from this Division
and 2 from Ewell's.  I believe, one of our three from this
Brigade, the 5th Va Inf. The Brigades to which the men
respectively belonged were under orders from Jackson all
marshalled to witness the execution.  this company as
part of the brigade was marched out like the others.
I was on guard and so happily not obliged to go, though
I might have escaped the disagreeable necessity easily e-
nough as many other of our fellows did, without this.
Gen Lee's and Gen. Jackson's Hd. Qrs., each near the other are
in sight of our camp here, though 1/2 mile distant perhaps.
I went this evening over to see bro. Charles at Gen. Jackson's
and had the pleasure of meeting there with bro. Wm.
We three supped together very comfortably.  Major Gen Stuart

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with the bulk of the cavalry, his staff etc., reached this army
district some days ago and this brings bro. Wm. from Richd.
We have orders to night be ready to march in the morning
at moon-rise, which in this case is between 1 & 2 o'clock P.M.
It is supposed now we shall certainly be off.

Lancelot Minor Blackford of the Rockbridge Artillery

MSS 5088