Tag Archives: Benjamin Lewis Blackford

17 December 1863: “I can tie my mustache in a bow-knot under my chin and am very handsome generally (see enclosed carte-de-visite).”

Posted on 17 Dec ’13 by

Item description: Letter, dated 17 December 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother, Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford.  The letter is written from his camp on Topsail Sound, and it is he expresses his disgust with Wilmington residents, who have … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 17 December 1863: “I can tie my mustache in a bow-knot under my chin and am very handsome generally (see enclosed carte-de-visite).”

18 October 1863: “the Virginians seem to be utterly indifferent, and continue to monopolize the foremost places & the pretty girls of this command with quiet and aggravating assurance.”

Posted on 18 Oct ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, 18 October 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his father, William Matthews Blackford, describing life at his camp near Wilmington, NC. Benjamin Lewis Blackford was born 5 August 1835, and as a child, was called “Benny.” At some point, … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

11 October 1863: “Cape Fear or “Bald Head” 30 miles south of this is the most desolate point I suppose on the Atlantic Coast”

Posted on 11 Oct ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, 11 October 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his father, William Matthews Blackford, describing his life and developments at his camp near Wilmington, NC. Benjamin Lewis Blackford was born 5 August 1835, and as a child, was called “Benny.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 11 October 1863: “Cape Fear or “Bald Head” 30 miles south of this is the most desolate point I suppose on the Atlantic Coast”

5 October 1863: “I am outdone with these people, the soldiers are spiritless & cowed, ready to revolt at hardships which our troops laugh at, and looking forward to the time when they can be taken prisoners.”

Posted on 5 Oct ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, 5 October 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother Mary, discussing his transfer from Virginia to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, his opinions of North Carolina and its citizens, his living conditions in Wilmington, a young girl he … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 October 1863: “I am outdone with these people, the soldiers are spiritless & cowed, ready to revolt at hardships which our troops laugh at, and looking forward to the time when they can be taken prisoners.”

9 February 1863: “I was particularly edified by a Pocahontas in a low necked white mans lin saving the life of Captain Smith, (C.S. Uniform) from Powhatan gorgeously arrayed in Masonic regalia and feathers”

Posted on 9 Feb ’13 by

Item Description: Letter, 9 February 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother, Mary B. Blackford, discussing events in Richmond. The Blackford family was a prominent, although not wealthy, Virginia family. Item Citation: From folder 84 of the Blackford Family Papers … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 9 February 1863: “I was particularly edified by a Pocahontas in a low necked white mans lin saving the life of Captain Smith, (C.S. Uniform) from Powhatan gorgeously arrayed in Masonic regalia and feathers”

24 January 1863: “I have been very badly hurt, but am all right now. My horse ran away (she always does)…”

Posted on 24 Jan ’13 by

Item description: Letter, 24 January 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother, Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford (1802-1896). [Item transcription available below images.] Item citation: From folder 84 in the Blackford Family Papers #1912, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 24 January 1863: “I have been very badly hurt, but am all right now. My horse ran away (she always does)…”

12 July 1862: “I myself found a Yankee in a thicket on Friday who had been shot through the lungs the previous Monday & was still alive.”

Posted on 12 Jul ’12 by

Item description: Letter, 12 July 1862, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford, in camp near Chesterfield, Va., to his mother Mary B. Blackford. Blackford, an accomplished draftsman, was at this time employed as a topographical engineer in the Confederate army. This letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 12 July 1862: “I myself found a Yankee in a thicket on Friday who had been shot through the lungs the previous Monday & was still alive.”