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“At Middletown, halted an hour at noon. Here the churches and all other available buildings were filled with the wounded from South Mountain. The battle had been fought on the 14th.”

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“Another indication of the reasonableness of our men is seen in the fact that last Sunday in Hagerstown the Rector of the Episcopal Church (a Yankee) with commendable independence said the usual prayer for the President of the U. S., though the house was full of C. S. soldiers. The only notice taken of it; one who was present tells me, was one officer leaving the Church. I learn that the same course was followed in Hagestown last fall. Last Sunday Gen. Ewell & other officers of rank attended the Roman Catholic Church by invitation of the priest. I think I should have done likewise, without an invitation, had I been there, though like Gen. Ewell, and Episcopalian. I do not think I could stand the ministrations of St. Paul himself, if a Black Repub'n."

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“Saturday morning - (yesterday) we resumed our march and advanced via Greencastle and Chambersburg, about 15 miles to this point, where we laid over to day. In the village of Greencastle the people swarmed about doors and windows and sullenly gazed on our troops passing by. Several women wore the U. S. flag on their bosoms, where it was seen by our men. Such natural and innocent indications of loyalty to their government, our soldiers would of course scorn to object to. It would be a matter of indifference to me if every woman in Pa. had one on her person, and every house one floating from its roof.”

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“We received a most hearty welcome from Mr.& Mrs. G. and the young ladies, all of whom seem in high spirits at seeing us back again and at the prospect of an invasion of the enemy's country; which will we hope guaranty them immunity for a longer time than usual from their hated presence… Miss Nannie appear in the best spirits and full of enthusiasm for the cause. They are all pretty warm against Maryland, who, they say, has been trimming in such a way as to escape the hardships of war from either party, at the expense of her honour. They think the State very questionably on our side; I think her undeniably in sympathy with us, but completely cowed by the Yankees.”

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“In Hagerstown I met wih a very pleasant bevy of Southern sympathizers, including 4 or 5 of the prettiest girls in the place. At one house I was hospitably entertained both at breakfast & dinner and had various other kindnesses extended to me. These good people I shall always remember with especial gratitude. I would fain mention their names, and those of other nice people I met, thinking you might know of some of them, but the remote chance of this letter's falling into the hands of the enemy prevents me from doing so. I cannot run even the smallest risk of criminating them with the Yankees, whose well known valour in oppressing and tormenting women and other obnoxious non-combatants, I can never be unmindful of…. Though it rained almost continually the ladies stood thus for hours, bestowing welcome & encouragement on our veterans, as, drenched wiht rain though they were, they marched with firm elastic step and true soldierly bearing along the streets, all the time in good spirits, and whenever they passed the ladies, shouting lustily at their presence and encouragement.”

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“We made Chambersburg by noon…The country passed through is interesting enough. It is fertile and highly cultivated… the fields are much smaller, the houses more frequent & handsomer… Many are of stone and brick, and have glass window sashes. An indifferent building of this sort is hard to find, and the average of the most inferior is better than that of the best in Eastern Virginia. One I saw, on the premises of a Mr., or Judge McClure, this side of Chambersburg, which was not only of very large size, but really elegant: painted snow-white, with ornamented eaves, pendants. The house and whole property of this individual however are beautiful and complete beyond description. I spent some hours in Chambersburg, which is a pretty town of 5600 inhabitants.”

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"The stores were all closed when we entered the place, but many of them were opened by threats of violent entrance by armed force if it was not done quickly. When opened, guards in most instances--not all--were posted at the door and but a limited number allowed to enter at a time. When we did get in we bought what few things we could find that we wanted with C. S. money. Their prices varied in an advance of from 10 to 50 per cent on old figures, but at this no one complained. At some of the stores the soldiers got in, and not being restrained by a guard, took a good many things without pay. There was, in short a good deal of lawlessness, but not as much as might have been expected under the circumstances. I did not know of more than 6 or 8 stores in all being opened. I secured some needed things, for our messmenage, and for myself a handsome black felt hat, and material for military shirts. To send home I could only get a few dozen spools sewing cotton, superior quality, No's. 16,40, & 24. and some buttons. These are for home and Sister Sue. The stock of dry goods I got at was very meagre. Shoes, gloves, pins, etc. unattainable. I shall keep the interests of the "home department" constantly before me, however. Our whole party re-hatted themselves. We have held court to-day, though Sunday, and I have been very busy: therefore am very tired now. The army is in splendid condition: marches almost wholly without straggling, and is in the highest spirits. Lee is making a bold stroke for peace. Pray that it may succeed.

Your affectionate son
L. M. Blackford.

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“But Harper’s Ferry - the Mecca of the south - what can be said of it? Alas! It will never regain its pristine splendor. Like a diamond in a beautiful setting, it sat among the hills which clustered around it, the loveliest among thousands. Now ruins greet the eye, whichever way it turns; and but for the soldiers which dot the place, and the rumble of government teams, the place would seem more like a graveyard than of so much importance as the "Key of Washington" should be. When we marched up this road last May, we passed a graveyard, around which was a tasty railing. What a change has come over the scene! Every picket has disappeared, and on one of the gateposts, which still remain, some sacreligious [sic] officer has tacked an advertisement of horses for sale. Still it is used as a graveyard – not by the inhabitants of this vicinity – for there are none left – but by the army. Here lies all that is mortal of many a brave soldier, who left his home to give his life in defence [sic] of his country’s flag - not, perhaps, on the battle field, for diseases of the camp are more fatal than the shot or shell.”

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“Last week a number of rebels were sent away from the hospital to Baltimore, having been paroled. They had been wounded and captured at South Mountain and Antietam. They came ragged and dirty - but they left [Frederick City] in new uniforms, furnished by their friends and sympathizers in the city. I have myself seen finely dressed ladies with their arms full of clothing for the wounded rebels.”

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“[Frederick] city, which contains about 8,000 inhabitants, was the great hospital for the wounded of Antietam. The United States Hotel, and the principal churches and public buildings, were turned into hospitals… When we first came here the streets, on a pleasant afternoon, were filled with convalescent wounded soldiers.”

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