1862 September 24 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Wednesday 24  Still in a fog about the
battles, but the weight of evidence
is that we have been in the main
victorious in the campaign in the
Potomac--the enemy as usual
claim victory and publish lying
[rellations?] as they did in the fight
before Richd.--One accounts admits
however that their loss in general
& staff officers is unaccountably large
Among the Generals is Mansfield
son of my old friend Mrs. Mansfield
of Cincinnati--The rumor first re-
ceived through northern papers is
confirmed that we have taken
Munfordville in Kentucky with
5000 prisoners & arms & munitions
The Examiner received by the evenings
mail asserts confidently that Jackson
after the fight of Saturday recrossed
into Maryland & whipped the Yankees
again -- Made a visit to Mrs Gar
land who received me, though
in bed.  She is much crushed but
is able to speak freely about her son.
She is much gratified with the
Obituary notice of Sam written by
Charles which appeared in the Re
public of this morning. i think
it an eloquent & affectionate tri
bute to his memory written in good
taste.  About qr past 7 we were
agreeably surprised by the entrance
of Dr. Davis & Mary Jane.  He is
enroute for Cleveland, Tenn. near
which is a copper mine in which
he is interested.


MSS 4763