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

Wednesday 19 My old friend Sherr[?] cash
-ier of F.B. Winchester & Mr. Carson Teller
Valley Bank Va and several of their officers
with the funds of their respective banks, reached
town this morning in the canal packet from
below. They are bound for Farmville, where
they will open their banks. they were detain
-ed in Charlottesville near a week & then took
the Scottsville route, which the day the came
left C. a train passed which brought ma
-ny passengers here. We have sad accounts
of the distress of the people in Loudoun
Fauquier, Culpeper, Prince William etc flying
from the enemy. The loss of negroes will
be very great in that region–most of them
have fled to the enemy, who will soon free
& embarras [?] [?] What they are
to do with them is the question–We have
news that Phil Williams, David Barton &
R.Y. Conrad of Winchester, all old friends
of mine, have been arrested and sent to Fort War
-ren–That Brent, cash. of Valley Bank, has
been arrested by Gen Jackson, before he left
W. and was in custody–that Jackson had
fallen back to Mt. Jackson on the north branch
Shenandoah giving up all the valley below
–am from this side of the mountain are
massing at Gordonsville. a letter came from
Charles to Sue, postmarked 12′ at Boston, a
post office in the county Rappahannock [?]
the [?] from which it would seem they
were not to take Culpeper CH on their way
but to march through Madison to Gordonsville
–Having learned that She had some [?]
letter of introduction to me, as an [?] would
say, I called in the afternoon upon a Mrs
[?] of Alex, whose husband is Qr. Msr.
at Culpeper, and who has sent her here as to
a place of refuge. She has a striking face &
pleasing manners. She has with her six daugh-
-ters–two of whom grown, and very pretty &
pleasing girls. She wants a house and I must
try to assist her inn getting one–Recd. a tele
-gram from Jane saying she wanted her own
house herself–The drama is hastening
to the 5′ act. The denouement will not
be delayed beyond 1′ May–See it stated
that the Minnesota had been relieved of her
armament and towed to the River Shore
when she sank–Much indisposed. However
Mary J. read at night in D’Israeli the
quarrel of Boyle and “Slashing Bentley.”

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and a Sergeant, Co. B 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), Louisiana Infantry]

Camp Rightor March 19th 1862 – Wednesday
Up & around early this morning – finding that the
battalion are marching today, have concluded to
put off my visit to them. Got a fine horse
from the Qrmaster & went with Geo Tabb to Wms
-burg – got orders to get 3 waggons & 30 men to
meet up at College Creek Ldg to get 3 launches
on the wagons – Tabb went to Groves Whf after
the boats & I came to Camp – find Fry, Burton
Fairchild & Norcum in Camp – After spending
the Evening with old No 3 – Met Tabb at the mouth
of Goose Creek – after a vain attempt to find
the channel we returned to camp – the
rain & darkness preventing us from Keeping off
the shoals – The wind & rain is howling &
we are all comfortably housed in Camp
Rightor – A splendid night for our Enterprise!
I regret we are not ready – dined in Wmsburg –
Sent Father a sketch of the Merrimac today & Maggie
a letter from Mrs Roy – who also wrote me one 15th Inst.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

Mount Jackson March 19 1862
My Darling Wife –
We left our encampment near
Strasburg last Saturday and reached this place
on Monday, where appearances indicate that
we are settled in peace and quiet for awhile.
There is some skirmishing between our pickets
and those of the enemy about 20 miles from
here, but I believe the enemy have not left
Winchester in any force, and I imagine will
not until the roads and weather will ad-
mit of any advance on the other side of the
mountain against Johnston.
The time passes very dull with me as I have
nothing to do, the Colonel and Lieut Col of the
regiment both being here and doing
what little there is to be done.
Some days ago I met with your sister Mar-
tha who had come down to the Camp
to see Mr Williamson. She was much
alarmed at the expected approach of
the enemy & in doubt what to do. My
advice to her was to remain at home
if they came, letting every thing there go on
as usual. They would take such of her
property as they needed but I believe would
do no further injury. Their policy so far
as I can learn has been in Winchester
and the counties which they occupy to
conciliate the people. I doubt not it will

[page 2]
be their policy everywhere. I am glad they
indicate their purpose to carry on the War
upon the principles of civilized warfare, as it
exempts the women and children left at home
by our soldiers from the savage barbarities of their
vengeances. If the fate of war brings my own
home within their lines, it will be some consol-
ation to know that you my darling wife and
dear dear little children are not subject
to insult and injury at the hands of the invaders.
Whilst their occupancy of the country may
exclude from the the [sic] fond letters of a loving
wife giving the glad news that all are well
at home, which is now my greatest source
of happiness, I shall be comforted by the hope
and belief that they are left to enjoy uninter-
rupted the necessary comforts of life.
Whilst it is a sad thought to give up ones
home to the enemy, with many of us it is
destined to be a necessity, which will con-
tribute more than all other causes to the
ultimate achievement of our independence.
It is utterly impossible to defend every section
Just here Love, I will change the subject to say that
whilst writing I have received your letter of the 15th
inst. I am sorry to hear you have been unwell, but
hope you many soon recover. We may never meet again
as you say Love. We know nothing of the future but I
trust the day of our final separation is far distant. The
obituaries which I find in the paper from home
reminds me that those die who remain at home

[page 3]
as well as those who have joined the army. Of the
1000 who have left our county for the army I suppose
not more than fifty have died from disease or battle
Nearly as large a proportion of those at home I expect
have died . Life is uncertain everywhere, Love, and
you should not infer from my being in the army
that you and I may not see much of life together
yet. I am glad I cant turn aside the dark vail [veil]
which covers the future and look at the good and
evil in store for me.
I am sorry that Gala had the luck to break the likeness
but glad that I have a place in the dear little fellows
memory and that he wanted to see his papa
I am glad too to learn that you have found in little
Mary Fitzgerald a Post Office messenger and that you
can get the papers and my letters without sending
one of the hands and stopping work on the farm for
the purpose. I have written heretofore so that my
letters would reach you on Sunday when you went
in to church, but now I can write at any time
I felt gratified to learn that Fitz was exempt
from the militia draft although it was selfish
and unpatriotic as he would make a good sol-
dier. I am very anxious that you should be com-
fortable and contented, at home, and as he is
so faithful and industrious I am sure he
will be of great service to you, and that you
will feel much safer from his being there.
It is very important you should have your
corn ground ready for planting by the middle
of April, which I suppose you will not be able
to do unless you hire more then one horse

[page 4]
I enclose a note to S. F. Jordan requesting him
to let you have three mules, which make a plough
team. If you think there will be any difficulty
about getting the ground ploughed in time
you can send to him for them. If you concluded
to get them you should do so at once as he
will probably be unable to spare them in
a few weeks. The sooner the corn is planted
the better you will be able to get it worked
with your small force.
And now as I have some matters requi-
ring my attention this evening I will bid you
good-bye and bring my letter to a close
Give a kiss to dear little boys for me
& for yourself accept m best love
Ever Yours
E F Paxton

Elisha Frank “Bull” Paxton, was a University of Virginia alumnus and Confederate general; commanded the 27th Virginia Infantry and later the 1st “Stonewall” Brigade at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 2165

[from a broadside entitled:]

APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE

FELLOW-CITIZENS: Tennessee assumed the
form of a body politic, as one of the United
States of America, in the year seventeen hun-
dred and ninety-six, at once entitled to all the
privileges of the Federal Constitution, and
bound by all its obligations. For nearly sixty-
five years she continued in the enjoyment of
all her rights, and in the performance of all
her duties, one of the most loyal and devoted
of the sisterhood of States….

Such was our enviable condition until within
the year just past, when, under what baneful
influences it is not my purpose now to inquire,
the authority of the Government was set at
defiance, and the Constitution and Laws con-
temned, by a rebellious, armed force. Men
who…had enjoyed largely the
bounty and official patronage of the Govern-
ment, and had, by repeated oaths, obligated
themselves to its support, with sudden ingrati-
tude for the bounty and disregard of their sol-
emn obligation, engaged, deliberately and
ostentatiously, in the accomplishment of its
overthrow…organizing a treason-
able power, which, for the time being, stifled
and suppressed the authority of the Federal
Government.

…the State govern-
ment has disappeared. the Executive has ab-
dicated; the Legislature has dissolved; the Ju-
diciary is in abeyance. the great ship of state,
freighted with its precious cargo of human in-
terests and human hopes, its sails all set, and its
glorious old flag unfurled, has been suddenly
abandoned by its officers, and mutinous crew,
and left to float at the mercy of the winds, and to
be plundered by every rover upon the deep…..
The archives have been desecrated;
the public property stolen and destroyed; the
vaults of the State Bank violated, and its treas-
ures robbed, including the funds carefully
gathered and consecrated for all time to the
instruction of our children….
I have been a-
pointed, in the absence of the regular and es-
tablished State authorities, as Military Gov-
ernor for the time being, to preserve the public
property of the State, to give the protection
of law actively enforced to her citizens, and,
as speedily as may be, to restore her govern-
ment to the same condition as before the
existing rebellion.
In this grateful but arduous undertaking, I
shall avail myself of all the aid that may be af-
forded by my fellow-citizens. And for this pur-
pose, I respectfully, but earnestly invite all the
people of Tennessee, desirous or wiling to see a
restoration of her ancient government, without
distinction of party-affiliations or past poli-
tical opinions or action to unite with me—to accomplish
this great end.
To the people themselves, the protection of
the Government is extended. All their fights
will be duly respected, and their wrongs re-
dressed when made known. those who
through the dark and weary night of the re=
bellion have maintained their allegiance to the
Federal Government will be honored. The
erring and misguided will be welcomed on
their return. And while it may become ne-
cessary, in vindicating the violated majesty of
the law, and in re-asserting its imperial sway,
to punish intelligent and conscious treason in
high places, no merely retaliatory or vindictive
policy will be adopted. To those, especially,
who in a private, unofficial capacity have as-
sumed an attitude of hostility to the Govern-
ment, a full and complete amnesty for all past
acts and declarations is offered, upon the one
condition of their again yielding themselves
peaceful citizens to the just supremacy of the
laws. This I advise them to do for their own
good, and for the peace and welfare of our
beloved State, endeared to me by the associa-
tions of long and active years, and by the en-
joyment of her highest honors.

And appealing to my fellow-citizens of Ten-
nessee, I point you to my long public life, as
a pledge for the sincerity of my motives, and
an earnest for the performance of my present
and future duties.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Nashville, March 18th 1862

A 1862
.J64

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former owner of the Staunton Spectator]

Tuesday night, March 18, 1862.

The cars just came in — half past ten o’clock. There
were reports this evening by telegraph and the freight train
that the result of the recent battle in Arkansas was favor
able to us — that we lost 2000 men, killed 3000 of the ene-
my and captured 2000, with quantities of arms &c. All
this may be contradicted to- morrow. Jas. L. Ranson, of
Jefferson, whose home and family are in possession
of the enemy, told me this evening that the Federalists
had not yet come this side of Winchester, except their
pickets; that they would not, probably, at least for some
time; that our generals were only anxious for them to
come, as our army is so located as to catch them if they do.
The Appomattox company of the 44th Va. Reg. came in
from Highland to-day, on their way to Richmond. The
men look remarkably hearty. A number of them
were patients in the hospital last summer, among
them Cralle, whom I scarcely recognized. I called to see
Judge Thompson to-night — found him very hopeless
as to the prospect before us. Tried to to comfort him— told
him about the sufferings and defeats of our people in
the Revolution of ’76. He would admit no analogy, but
I think I got the better of him.

About one o’clock to-day I was aroused from my table
by a noise in the street, and upon going to the door
discovered a man bending over the gutter on the oppo-
site side, and another on the pavement with several
persons struggling over him. A voice said “He killed him” —
Some cried, “Take the knife from him!” The prostrate
man was “Alf Shiflet,” of a notorious family, and the
other man, said to have been killed, was named Patter-
son. Fisher, Provost Marshal, secured Shiflet and led
him off — Patterson was struck by a stone thrown by
Shiflet. Presently the cry arose that Shiflet had broken
loose and was escaping. He ran down the Railroad – – I
joined in the hue-and-cry, but soon gave it up. Taking
refuge under Art’s slaughter-house, he was soon cap-
tured and brought up to town. It turned out that Pat-
terson was only stunned.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

[letter of P. Edloe Jones of the 13th Virginia, begun on the 16th continues]

M Tuesday morning.-
As I’ve not had an opportunity of sending
my letter off, I will add a little more to it, though nothing of inter-
est has transpired since yesterday.. We are get[t]ing very tired of this
place & do n’t care how soon we leave… I believe all of the Troops
have left this neighborhood but our Division. I do n’t believe ^‘now’ our
Army is going to make a stand here…Jim Daniel’s Regt. is on
[The rest of the stationery is cut off. It appears that it was cut off on the original.]

[page 4]
the other side of Culpepper now… Brother John got back yester-
day evening – we heard of our defeat in North Carolina..
Bro. John expects to be with you in a few days.. If Pen is
still sick, he had better have his furlough extended.. We are
well – direct your letters to Culpepper CH. until you hear from
us again – Best love to all – Yr devoted son
Edloe Jones

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13407

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and Sgt., Co. B. 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), Louisiana Infantry]

Tuesday – March 18th 1862
Rose & breakfasted at 7 o’c today. Took
a walk round the fortifications – Spent
the morning in drawing some few
sketches of the Str Merrimac – Sent me to
Uncle Dan with a short note – Rec’d a
letter from Lizzie today informing me
that Bro Sam thinks he can get
me a commission in the so ca [South Carolina] vols
if I send on letters of recommendation –
Also recd a long letter from Mrs Roy
by Mrs Mason. Aby arrived today
from Camp. he’s detailed for the A A
Genls office – Got my papers from
A.A. to get volunteers from 1st La
Battalion for “special secret service”.
Will go to camp & get the names of one hundred men
tomorrow & have them ready – Had a
fine lot of soup tonight – They are des-
troying all frame buildings in town today
Bed at 11 ½ o’c

Lizzie: [Elizabeth Yonge Logan,1834-1910, sister
Sam: Samuel Logan, MD,1831-1893.]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

Thursday 18. Fine day–very mild. No answer yet
from Herndon about the house. As another
person wants it, agreed if no dispatch came
by 12, he should have it–None came and
at that hour I telegraphed Herndon [?]
Mrs Kean telegraphed that she wanted the
house herself. I mean her own house–I presume
tho falling back of the army has induced
her fathers family to think of coming here.
Letter from Garlick–he had not got his box of
clothes. Mr. Lamar[?] writes that the order from
James Moncure for the dividends was not paid
-the stock having been sequestered. He advi
-ses rent to be brought by next of kin= –Letter
from Lanty. He reached Staunton Friday night
and would go on next day to join his company
at Strasburg. Much relieved about him.
Letter also from Cousin Betty–written the day
little Lucy L. died. Every thing in the aspect
of ours appears dark & gloomy–Heard that
Benjamin had been made Secty State–and
Gen. Geo. W. Randolph Secy War and Watts
of Alabama of whom I never heard before, Secy
Attorney Gen.–the rest of the cabinet the
same. Randolph is a man of good sense
and talents, but of no experience in poli
tical life–qu? is not this an advantage.
The cabinet has no claims on the confidence
of the country. It is the emblem of medio
-crity. Davis seems determined to have no man
of talents about him. I almost despair of the
cause.
MSS 4763

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]

Tuesday
March 18

Took breakfast with a family where I
was posted. Wrote to Mary this afternoon
Had my hair cut. Played backgammon with
Walker and Fenno. Went down to the wharf
after wounded and then came back without
them. A beautiful day to day

MSS 11293

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 1862

Played for Guard mounting
and evening Parade
Practiced as usual
Went out this afternoon
to see Gen Beckley who
has returned played some
Co G returned this evening
with one prisoner say
they have walked
about sixty miles
Have written a letter
to Mrs Campbell
mostly Clear

General Alfred Beckley, 1802-1888, commanded a militia unit which was disbanded by General John B. Floyd. Beckley resigned his commission,returned to his home in Raleigh and surrendered to Col. Rutherford B. Hayes of the 23rd Ohio

MSS 10317