1862 October 22-23 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Wednesday [22]
Thursday [23]
Weather continues very
fine.  Nothing of any great
interest.  the evacuation of Bragg
of Kentucky is un fait accompli
He brought impossible immense
quantities of "plunder" of every
kind.--Still the result has been
disastrous, if not disgraceful
to our army--I have confidence in
Bragg, but he is severely denounced
by many--Young Mackal[?] called
to see us Thursday night.  He is just
from Lees army and is going to
the west to join his unit. Gen [Mackalls?]
staff. to which he belonged when
taken prisoner at Island No 10. He
gives glowing accounts of the man-
-ner in which the prisoners were
treated at Fort Warren. I fear we
would be put to it, to find a
parallel in the treatment of Yan
kee prisoners.  From late dispatches
the enemy are preparing to attack
Charleston & Savannah and perhaps
other Southern ports.  I dread their
naval power.  They must naturally
have a spite against Charleston &
they will do their utmost to take
it.  What charming manners young
Mackal has--I think most of
the young men I have seen from
Balt. excel in manners [?] young
men.  I scarcely know one of them
who fails in point of manners.

MSS 4763