[from the diary of William M. Blackford, of Lynchburg, Va., former diplomat, newspaper editor and bank officer, with 5 sons in the Confederate Army]

February 28 Drs. Green & Houston and Sally Minor
left us early this morning–the first for
Charlottesville–the two last for the packet
suffering much from head ache and general
apprehension–Recd letter from Lewis, stating
he has been sick. He was taken in Richd
when there early last week–went to Norfolk
and took to his bed. The Dr did not know
what to think of the attack, especially of
a red eruption all over the body. He was
well enough to be out of bed when he wrote.
He and three others have rented a ready furnished
house, with servants &c at 50$ a month and
are keeping house- at a cheaper rate than they
could board–He writes for some butter–that
article there was going from 75c to a dollar.
Have of various movements of troops–large
reinforcements have been sent to the Valley from
Gordonsville–Large quantity of troops [?]
[?] to North Carolina & the Peninsula
It is evident the fear of an advance on the
Richmond line has subsided–I never believed
the enemy would come that way. We may
expect every da to hear of the Merrimac
doing something. The President & the officials
in Richd are entirely confident of her ability
to [?] the Monitor. I believe upon this
will depend the safety of Norfolk, if not of
Virginia. Tatnall is to command her–I feel
sure he will never strike her flag.

Josiah Tatnall, 1794-1871, previously an officer in the U. S. Navy in the War of 1812, the 2nd Barbary War, and the Mexican American War

MSS 4763