Tuesday, November 13, 2012

1862 November 14 Lynchburg, Va.



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

Friday 14  Partly cloudy  engaged- wea-
ther continues fine --Reports from
the army say that the enemy are
retiring--McClellan seems to have
been relieved from all command & has
returned to New Jersey.  He may
rise again by being taken up as
the Democratic candidate for
the Presidency--but by giving up
the command he has lost his hold
on the army & cannot now play
Military dictator.  It was a bold
game, his removal--& seems to have
been boldly played by Lincoln
Burnside is under every obligation
to make an active winter campaign
and we shall have a hard time in
Virginia. Richd will be again assailed
by a more numerous army & a more
formidable fleet.  If we defeat
them again I think panic will
ensure --I fear most their incur
-sion into N.C. cutting off our com-
munication with the South
  Went over in the evening to see
sue who has had another one of
her violent attacks--Nothing
can exceed the violence of her suf
fering.  Returning, found Mrs. Rich
Davis who is en route to
join her husband in Orange who
has obtained a twenty days leave
-Betty B. called and later the
three Todds & Mr. Goodwin, in
charge of the salt peter refining
-a very pleasant young man

MSS 4763

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.