1862 April 27 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford of Lynchburg, Va, former diplomat, bank officer and editor, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Sunday 27  a Bright clear day but cool
The sick all better Went early to Mr
Kerns to get Maria to take Peggys
place--found she was afraid to go on the
street, but she might be impressed
to go into the hospitals--Brought her
home.  Dr.Green came to see Mr. Lee
In the coming the day he had a
good deal--perhaps too  much--com
pany--He is a very interesting man in
conversation.  Large congregation the
half it appeared to me, were stran-
gers--all the refugees here are Episco-
palians--Nothing further about
New Orleans--Passengers in the train
from Richd say the rumor  is not be
-lieved at the War office--the suspense
is dreadful.  I went to church
in a thinner coat than I usually
wear, & without cloak.  It brought
on a fiat of coughing which racked
me very much, and left a head ache
which distressed me greatly the rest of
the day.

MSS 4763