Lynchburg, April 18th 1862
We received our precious letter my beloved boy yes-
terday on [?] last night–As usual it was a subject
of rejoicing Mr Rutledge is staying here but in touch
going tomorrow.. He came last night, he has been on a visit
to his friends in the Country–he stayed one night with
us when he first arrived. He has only a knapsack with
him and I cannot send much. I hope the pants suit
you, and [?]. I fear he has not room for the salt but
I know he cannot take it, and hate to ask him.
I pray God you may not have to fight with such odds against
you, it would be a very shameful sacrifice of our brave soldiers
to day is Good Friday, I wrote a note to Mr Kinckle beg-
-ging him particularly to pray for the army in the peninsula
who are about engaging in such a tremendous battle, where
three of my sons will probably be. Charles has returned to the
army a few days ago, but has not been removed to the lower
part of the State as so many others have. I heard it was
supposed that Genl Jackson would retreat to Staunton. surely
it is not right to sacrifice so fine an army as that he has
command of. Mary R. has returned from Richmond where
she has been to meet William. she saw nearly three regiments
of cavalry William was among them, she said it was a splen
-did sight, though the men looked rough. Col Robert McKenney
was killed in a skirmish with the enemy not far from
Yorktown the family received a telegraph to that affect
yesterdayl I asked Mr. Rutledge since writing the above whe
ther he could tak some salt for you and himself, and some
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cakes. He said he could as far as Staunton, and if the stage
ran from there further on to you. So I went directly and gave
Elvira material to make some cakes and your Mammy Peg
-gy has gone to get a bag to put salt in. We have very little
but expect to get some soon that is coming from the Salt
works. To day is very warm and bright, May God’s blessing rest
upon my Boy wherever he is. Do not indulge in abusive
languages against our enemies. Remember you are the dis
-ciple of Him who prays for those who were murdering
“His innocent body-and who has commanded us to “Love our
“enemies, to bless them who curse us, and to pray for them
“who despitefully use us and persecute us.”
I will send you (in a paper or cut it out and enclose it) an
account of James Langhorne’s capture, and also a letter
from Eugene received yesterday or the day before, send
this last back. your Papa has just come in; he says Ro
bert MacKenny’s remains will be here this evening the fu-
neral is at half past 4. Mr Kinckle’s sermon was a fine
one this morning and he prayed for the soldiers.
When your stamps are out your Pap sent you I will send
you some more. Write me how Berkeley is now. your Papa
and Mary have come now to Col McKenney’s funeral.
The undertaker has gone to the University to bring home the
remains of Willie and Lucy Landon. Charles has bought a
large lot at Springhill Cemetery and put up a monument
to their memory it is an obelisk with the inscription
“plucked on Earth to bloom in Heaven.” He looks very un
-happy, poor fellow but nor resigned.
Fanny Cazenove will not come now nor Jenny, I am obliged
for the present to keep my home open for refugees.
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Mary R and her children are still here.
I am so tired I must conclude though I have much
still to say. Your old friend Uncle Davy is at
work here he looks very infirm and as if he would
not hold out much longer. He sends you “a thousand
” howdys, and wishes for every blessing upon you.
The servants are much gratified at your kind re-
membrance of them. We pray for you together
everyday. your ever devoted Mother M.B. B.
Mary Berkeley (Minor) Blackford, 1802-1896, had a long history of anti-slavery sentiment, and for years kept a diary of “notes illustrative of the wrongs of slavery.” Her grandson, the second Lancelot Minor Blackford, published her biography “Mine eyes have seen the glory; the story of a Virginia lady, Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford, 1802-1896, who taught her sons to hate slavery and to love the Union.” Despite her teachings all five sons joined the Confederate Army after Virginia seceded from the Union.
Attached to Mrs. Blackford’s letter is this edition by her daughter Mary.
My dear brother Lanty
It has been my intention to write
to you for some time-and as mother has left me
this half sheet to fill up–though I cant say all
I want to say in so short a space-as I will write
again soon a longer letter–I went this evening
to the funeral of Col McKinnie–he was shot
while gallantly leading his men into
action–poor Miss sue and Ellen–were so
dreadfully distressed I feel truly sorry for them
I fear they will be left very dependent, as their
brother gave a great deal of his income to their
support. Sister Mary returned from Richmond
yesterday–she left her children principally
to my care during her absence, and I was quite
relieved when she came and found them
all perfectly well–she took Lucy with her
I became very much attached to them, having
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them under my care–Lizzie certainly is next
to Mary Jane, the smartest little creature I
ever saw–she has learnt several hymns
out of the little Hymn book you gave her–
she has covered it with white paper –so it
is not the least injured. I suppose you have
heard of Bev Rudd’s sudden enagagement
and approaching marriage. it is to a Capt
Sitgreaves from South Carolina, who is a Capt
of Artillery at Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island
where she will spend the summer–she only knew
him a few days when she engaged herself to him
And from all accounts she will do very well–
she is to have twenty two bridesmaids–and no
groomsmen and she has asked me to be one
of the unfortunate twenty two. It makes very
little difference though as she is to be married
early in the morning and go off in the cars
at 8 oclock–I saw Mrs Claytor this evening she
asked after you most affectionately– as she
most always does–Mr Rutledge has been staying
with us since he came to town–he has kindly
offered to take your bundle-
Mammy Peggy sends her love to you and
says you are almost constantly in her thoughts
sister Mary is sitting by me she sends her best
love to you. Pa sends you a letter of bro; Lewis
to read-which you must return–
Ever your aff’ sister Mary
Julius A. Sitgreaves was credited with firing the first shot in the Civil War at the relief ship “Star of the West” at the onset of the battle for Fort Sumter. He was later an editorial writer for American Art News in New York. The oldest child of Julius and Bev was the actress and philanthropist Beverley Sitgreaves, 1863-1943.
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