1862 October 12 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Sunday 12.  This is the anniversary of
our marriage. the 37th!  We have
lived longer together --far longer than
the usual average of marriages. I
believed I have enjoyed as much hap
piness during the many years which
have flown round since 12 Oct '25, as
falls to the lot of most men. No one

was ever more fortunate in every respect
than I was in the match I made.
The ill health of my wife is the sole
drawback.  Pride is not the feeling
which ought to be indulged, but we
have great reason to be thankful for
the comfort we have had in our children
I think both of us strive to keep off
the induration of sensibility which
is too often the concomitant of age. I
believe we both have preserved in a
remarkable degree the  freshness of youth
ful feeling.  God grant that we
may be yet further spared to each
other and that our union may be
one of  holier  & happier as its increases
in duration.
    Large congregation considering
the gad weather--rain nearly all
day.  Walked over in the evening
to Charles--Sue unwell.


MSS 4763