862 September 19 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Friday 19  Dr. Minor called after break
fast and brought the news  of
the morning derived chiefly
from the young officer who accom
panied the remains of Gen Garland
It was calculated to create great
anxiety & alarm--McClellan has
forced Lee from the Monocacy &
Frederick.  the fighting was on
the mountains near Boonsboro
and the most dreadful and
the result doubtful and
rather inclining against us.My
heart was sad all day, but the
news in the evening, brought by [?]
from Richd and corroborated by
the Orange train was of a differ
-ent complexion--this struggle
of three days, it is alleged, resulted
in a victory--a great, glorious
and decisive victor of our army
--the victory of the war, and the other
utter route of the enemy--loss on
both sides very great--Jackson--
after capturing Harper's Ferry
with 10,000 prisoners and all
their stores, [trotted?] his corps
down the Potomack, turned round
the Point of rocks, and fell on
McClellans rear and thus achieved
the victory--Such is the tale-I
devoutly hope it may prove true
     Recd a letter from Lanty, dated
last Sunday at Martinsburg, where
he was stationed.  He had heard
from Wm the Friday before at
Frederick or in the vicinity--Lanty
has accepted the [detail?] & will be
here in a few days--
  The funeral for Gen Garland
took place at our Church at  qr [past?]
3. The attendance was immense--There
was a firing party of some 20 odd
members of his late Regt. Mr. K's
discourse was a very fine one--a
little too private in the personal
part of it and wanting in tact in
some parts.  The procession was a very
long one--Most of the business houses
were closed.  Went in the evening
to Charles where Eugene and L
Tilghman staid all night

MSS 4763