1862 February 25

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

Friday 25 A bright mild day. The sight of the
sun is invigorating. Very closely engaged in Bank--Wrote
to Charles. Met Wm McGuire, a school mate, whom I have
not seen for more than 40 years--He came here on his
way to the West to look after two sons in McCausland's Regt
Floyd's Brigade. The Regt was at Fort Donelson and of
course he feels deep solicitude--He has determined to
return to the Valley seeing no chance of getting on in con-
sequence of the delay[?] on the Va & Tenn RRd He has lived
for 30 yrs in Wood County--No news from any quarter
On consultation with the carpenters have come to the de
cision to remove the pinnacles and finish the turrets with
battlements--Letter from Eugene--very interesting--one
from Cousin Betty also--had another conversation with
Rodes. At night Mary J read in D'Israeli's Mis-
cellanies of Literature--Suffered last night much
from a sore throat.

[no more entries in diary until March 4]

MSS 4763