Thomas Wright's Diary

December 1860

1, December, 1860

Dear me, the war of words continues. Poppy is worried, thinks this may go towards a fight. Myself I am hopin this just dies down, Lincoln ain't in Office yet. Who knows what this a bring. What ever may come, let's hope it's not a fight. Wrights have family up in Connecticut, could be family against family. They is no need in that.

Been cold, little snow type cold ya feel fer a few minutes, after gettin inside. That type hard ta shake off. Me an Betsy took ta playin checkers ta pass the time, of the evenin or read. Betsy can read an write, much better than myself. Mister Bowman wants 2,000 dollars fer Tuey and his wife. Can't afford that. Theo, say give him time, may work out the money.

Betsy reads the Bible, couple verses every night, before bed. Thinks she be a thinkin, I need religion, done told her don't need ta talk ta God. Took our child away, best I not think on it. I listen just don't need it. Betsy a fine woman, loves her deeply. Late best get some sleep.

                           4, December 1860

Sunday, Betsy say it's cold, won't be goin ta Church. Good thin not in the mood, ta face the cold but ta feed and check water fer the animals. That convention South Carolina havin in about twelve days, tell us how we gonna fair. Lan sakes hope they don't gets foolish an all. Like most think they will. They wanted ta do this once before can't remember when. Poppy would know that keeps track thins like that.

Me an Betsy played checkers most the day. She read some from the Bible also. Between doin odd jobs around the place. We stayed busy, had rice an some rabbit I shot few days back, fer supper. Haven't been ta Joe's in a while, not since that run with that feller talkin about Betsy. Need ta get over an see him. Day felt might long, late though sky is cloudy can't see the stars. Hope it don't snow.

           
                            22, December 1860

Finally made it ta Joe's, got word they succeeded South Carolina left the Union! Dear me, what has just happened? They are claiming any Federal land and forts as they own. Do know troops at Charleston the harbor, Fort Moultrie. Only know that by the paper, out of Wheeling, Virginia say so.

What be next? Betsy ask what I think, told her I hope it all just settles out, they persuaded ta come back. Have ta wait an see. Poppy is worried he say the wind has come alive! They be blood shed soon.
They will go like Runner after his chase. On December 20th they went an left the Union. Lor help us all through this. I stood outside looking up clear night, thinkin ifin I could count the stars. Maybe it make us alright. Just a thought was all, Betsy brought me back in, told me I catch a death out in that cold night air.

                          23, December 1860

So upset about the South Carolina news, forgot according to the Cincinnati Gazette, fellow Kentuckian Senator John Crittenden proposed what is called the Crittenden compromise. Which allowed new states South of the old Missouri compromise line, ta decide for themselves whether they be free or slave state.

That was back on the 18th, lan sakes livin ta far from a real city.

Takes a bit ta know what is going on. Of course it was spring or summer. Know right fast get news from Ripley lot easier. Not havin ta fight the snow or cold ya could freeze up.

Also according ta the Gazette, Georgia calls for a Convention of Southern States ta form an independent Nation. That was on the 14th. On the 12th Secretary of State, Lewis Cass resigns, over President Buchanan's refusal to reinforce troops at Charleston. Should have started with the older papers. Well think we in trouble no way out. Poppy could be right.

Betsy worried, think I be a runnin off ta fight some War. Don't rightfully know, what is we gonna fight over? Keep the Union tagether or is it about the Constitution an all. Think we best wait Buchanan ain't doin a thin. What will Lincoln do, I wait an see?

   
Short part, next Chapter deals with Lincoln's inaugural address, Fort Sumter the leading edge of the Sword of War. Have a few Tidbits for you. Thanks for your support and voting always like the comments.

Tidbits

29th December, first British sea going iron-clad war ship, HMS Warrior was launched.

April 3, 1860, the Pony Express began between Saint Joseph Missouri and Sacramento California.

October 13, 1860 first aerial photo taken in the United States, from a balloon in Boston.

July 19, 1860 first railroad reaches Kansas.

July 9, 1860 temperatures reach 115degrees in Fort Scott and 112 degrees Topeka, Kansas.

Thanks for reading comment vote if you please.