Thomas Wright's Diary

August-September

                                 17, August 1861

Rained most the day taday and yesterday. A Freeman let me spend the night and part the day in his stable. Wet lan sakes, don't think I've felt so wet. Fed me and we talked a spell, Blacksmith is his trade. Asked what I was doin up north here. Tell ya from the south.

Just said I was returnin from Clarksburg, said nothin more. Man don't need ta know where I been. Freeman or not, gots ta cover my tracks. I have broke the Law. End up in jail, fined don't need that. Ifin I get ta trial. Mister Bowman might just have me shot. Best keep this diary hid good.

Least I gots out the rain, leave in the morin offered the man ten cents fer the food and dry place. He refused the money. Told him be gone just past sunup.  Figured best head back different route, just north an east of Batavia. Cross near New Richmond. Don't like it, but better than crossin at Ripley. Looks like I was trackin thum comin back a different way. Best get some sleep.

                               18, August 1861

Left well before sunup, about Keg Town past that Church an cemetery, where I found Tully an Grace.  Put a chill up my back. I did not stop, my back side was sore. Kept goin stop fer food in New Richmond. Stopped in New Richmond, be home about dark. Poppy told me about Montes Saloon, not as much money as the Inn or the motel. Ta eat so I had dinner in New Richmond.

Lan sakes what a long day, made it home about seven. Ma an Betsy, we're might happy ta see me.
Must say, more than happy ta see them. Hold off on goin ta Rivers Edge till the mornin. Ma just smiled said, didn't find thum? She don't need ta know. Told Betsy later, what I did tell her Ma don't need the worry. Poppy givin her nough worry. Betsy say our secret, she didn't need ta know. We held each other fer a good minute. Told her Tuey should be almost ta Buffalo. Then said hope I made thins right with him. Overtired best stop here.

                             19, August 1861

Up before Ma an Betsy, fixed coffee went outside ta think. Has ta tell Mister Bowman I couldn't find Tuey an his wife. This is be hard tellin you. Think I best run by Joe's pick up rest of my money. Trust Joe an all, just want it close. First off tell Mister Bowman, then do that. Why worry he don't know anything. I gots the upper hand here. Well Monday an daylight is burnin. Best get the animals fed an watered. Got that done and had breakfast.

Mister Bowman might upset, didn't get his slaves back. Told him couldn't find thum, no trail ta follow. My lead with Theo, well he was gone. He enlisted out of town. Went as far north as Columbus down ta New Richmond. Nothin could not find thum. Felt bad about it, I did. We still worked out, retainer type thing. I go out gets 600 ta even start, then the bounty. So he stepped right inta what I wanted. Got my money from Joe.

Ma still looks worried, Betsy say been acting lost like she don't know what she is doing. Hope she gets over it soon. Well it's late.

                            1, September 1861

Don't look good fer the Union right now, maybe Poppy be home soon. Ma and Betsy took God in while got some fishin in before it ta cold ta enjoy.
Sunday's in the summer are one good day ta just fish an relax. Besides catch some ya have supper.
Ma seems ta be doing better. Not near as lost, think she just let be as it is, Poppy is gone last letter say they still waiting fer them ta organize a regiment.
Ma say she pray it just over before then. Betsy say she is prayin also. Far as I know she still ain't with child.

Union ain't won a fight since Philippi. That battle at Bull Run back in July, 481 killed fer the Union, 387 fer the Confederacy. Wounded both sides over two thousand five hundred, one thousand two hundred sixteen missin Union. Thirteen Confederacy. The Union didn't retreat they ran like hell.

                             First Battle Manassas

35,000 Union troops and 20,000 Confederate troops along the Bull Run river. The Confederate forces were on the defensive most of the battle. They rallied and broke through on the Union right flank. The Union Army broke for a retreat.

The Union Army slow March starting on the 16th of July. Gave P.T. Beauregard time to set up for an attack. He also got warning from a spy network in Washington, D.C.   The slow unwilling to fight movement by McDowell. Set the Union up to lose.
Although early on the Union did seem to have the upper hand. When reinforcements arrived, they managed to route the Union. The Union Army retreated running scared, a none covered retreat, not like an Army but a rabble of thugs running away.

                       Troop movements Union is Blue
                               Confederate red.

The Union named Battles after Rivers or Creeks
Confederate after the Town or City. Hence most Battles have two names. Also can be referred to the first or second battle. Beauregard order a full attack along the whole line, as they attacked they yelled.
From that time on it was known as The Rebel Yell. They yelled at every attack. Some Union Soldiers said sounded like death coming others called it the Banshee. The scream of forth coming death.

Thanks for reading, look up the battle, think you'll find it interesting. How The Union seemed afraid to fight, and The Confederacy was ready to fight, even at a disadvantage.

So will Thomas join in on the fight?
Will he continue to help slaves run?
Was Tuey and his wife the only ones he helps? 
What about Theo, where does he end up?
Questions more than you know.
Thanks for your support.
Dram12