Thomas Wright's Diary

August 1861

                              10, August 1861

Poppy brought Ma, an most her thins ta the Old Place. He leaves fer Tennessee in the mornin. They are forming Kentucky Regiments down that way.
Poppy has made his decision. He say Uncle Thom was headed that away. Guess Poppy and Uncle Thom chose they side.

Betsy an Ma workin on Poppys favorite supper. Deer stew, an biscuits. My the house has smelled good most the day. Think Poppy enjoyed supper. 
After we sat outside had a coffee and whisky.

Told me that him an Uncle Thom, are nough Wright's in this fight. Need not get in this, don't need the family taken out. I say wasn't sure I wanted ta get into this fight. Poppy say hope ya don't have ta, money is put away in that black chest, should be plenty ta help out around here.
Spend it wisely Thomas. Then he say it's late, best go be with yar Ma a spell. Poppy looked like he was gonna cry an all, ta be honest I felt like it.

                           11, August 1861

Poppy left before we all woke, think maybe he left after we all fell asleep. Guess he wanted ta be alone when he left. Ma been been fidgety most the day. Think she is worried about Poppy, I knows I am worried sick. Hope this gets settled before he has ta fight. Mister Bowman stopped by, say he be sending slaves in couple days ta tend the crops. Say ya Poppy doin a good thin ta go fight. Then I would go, ta old. Thought ta blame old, ain't much older than Poppy. Asked me ifin I would find two runaways fer him. Tuey has run off so has his wife.

Asks how long ago. He say not more than three maybe four hours. I say 1,000 dollars up front another 600 when I gets them. He say what! What that's a lot money Thomas! I say ya want thum back it costs ya. He say 800 up front 600 when ya bring thum back. I say nope gets what I want. He say fine, this time. When ya get back we work out a solid agreement. I say up front money is mine, I keep it. Every time I go out I get that keeps me on hold fer ya. That he say we talk on later, fer now go get my runaways.

Tell Ma an Betsy I have ta leave, Tuey done runoff.
Put my shotgun at the front door, Poppys in the kitchen. Say ta Ma here is Gramps pistol it is loaded, shoot any body come through those doors.
Have one of the overseers get Ben Grunnley. Ta stop in an check in on ya. Betsy say Thom why ya goin? I has ta do this, Tuey is special. Gets my up front money, gives it ta Joe ta hold all but 200 dollars. Needs that.

First stop is Theo know he is headed ta Georgetown ta enlist as a officer. He sent word on that.

                            12, August 1861

Made Georgetown late, slept just out of town. Woke early stopped at the Inn had Breakfast, Theo an Tuey his wife were eating. Theo say Thom ya not takin thum back! Theo I say, not here ta take them back. Ya can't get thum far nough north ta be safe. Besides ya enlistin, don't have time ta see them safely north. I'll not have Tuey die like his Ma an Pa!

Tell Theo I'll get thum least ta Chillicothe, find a train or somethin ta get thum ta Canada. Theo say I have a friend in Buffalo, New York. Get them headed that way. Get thum just north of Chillicothe place called, Tarlton man named Robert Winston, find him he will get thum ta Buffalo. I ask do ya Da know ya here. He say no didn't tell him only people that know are you, Tuey just met me in Ripley. Well I say this has ta look good, I'll stay the night, then we go ta Tarlton. Theo say I won't forget this. Say no worry go enlist an try not kill my Poppy an Uncle Thom.

                          13, August 1861

Tied my horse off ta the wagon, we rode all day ta Chillicothe. Spend the night in Chillicothe. Place called Parsons Inn. Day was long darn hot. Not much happened, two riders stopped us wantin ta know if they was slaves. Tuey spoke up said they was headed to Tarlton ta catch a ride further north. I was just helpin ta get thum ta Tarlton.

Long day, wagon ride a tucker ya out. Good thin only about four hours ta Tarlton from here. Have breakfast head out early, take about two days ta get back. Least ways make it look like I tried ta find them. Old Bowman won't know any different. Thinkin it works out just fine this away. Theo should be gone, know way ta track down thum. Late best get some sleep.

                            14, August 1861

Found that Winston feller, Tuey and his wife heading ta Buffalo. Seems this Winston is a Stationmaster, his brother a be taken Tuey and couple other runaways on north ta Buffalo. Gave Tuey hundred dollars startin money. So they not in any need, ta rush an find a job. Wished them the best. That Winston fella right nice man about the same age as Theo. Told him, might send more his way. Thinkin on helping out some, when I can.

Had supper then spent the night in Tarlton. Head home tomorrow. Might tired fer doin nothin all day. Guess best get some sleep. Want ta get about halfway home tomorrow.