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

Tuesday  29  clear and pleasant and
most genial.  very busy in Bank, and
much engaged otherwise–news from
N.O. better  city not surrendered
altogether the affair is painfully
[?] and very disgraceful–
Fort Mason has also surrendered. This
will cut off our communication with
the south on the Atlantic line
disasters crowd upon us–but
we must take courage.  Went in
the afternoon to see Jane Kean who
came last night.  I could scarcely
believe it possible that she had
been gone a whole year.  She
looks well & her children have
grown much.  Called on Mrs Stuart
who is now boarding at Mr Merri
-weather’s–Her little boy is quite sick
She had heard nothing lately from
the general.  Hugh McGuire, a son
of my old school mate, Dr. H H
McGuire, of Winchester, and a
member of the Stockbridge Artil
-lery called to see me–and after
wards spent the evening with
us.  Sent by him an Indian Rub
-ber blanket to Laney.  Little Landon
continues very poorly–the Doctor
does not know what is the matter.
Peggy is improving–We have quite
a hospital.  Got Dr. Green to call
and see Dr. Berkeley at the Wash-
-ington.  He thinks him in a bad way
and prescribed for him.

MSS 38-258

MSS 4763