1862 January 11

[from the diary of William M. Blackford of Lynchburg, Va., father of five sons in Confederate service]

We had a letter last night from
William, in which he says not a word as to
the result of his Court Martial--though I infer
he is in command of his company a Letter from
Mrs Mary Stewart Morris dated 20th. It came
by way of Norfolk under a flag. Letter at
night from Eugene. He has been on picket and
on his return on Wednesday Evg recd the three Boxes
He describes the joy of his messmates at the
opening. He says they think there never were
such parents, an opinion he says in which
he heartily concurs. He says the consideration &
affection implied by sending three boxes ranks
him socially in the opinion of those around him.
He says he has tasted the fallacy of the idea
that snow is a warm covering, that he
slept miserably Tuesday night, on picket[?] under
a blanket of snow & sleet. He enjoyed the
comfort of his hut on his return. How rela
tive are all comforts & enjoyments--Charles
Sue & family dined with us--C is harsh
upon his Uncle James for remaining in NY
and thinks he ought to have come south
and abandoned his large fortune. It was
a deplorable choice presented to him. His hap
piness in future will be much affected.

MSS 4736