Thomas Wright's Diary

1934 & The Battle of Mills Spring

William Wright's home old place January 1934. Letters from Poppy, William Wright to Ma, Kate Wright. Correspondence from William to Grace and Thom.

Dear Grace and Thom
Well it's a start of a new year, I wish you both a great year.

I have finished the first diary of Pop's, it goes up to 1862 January. The second one I haven't started, it's more tattered and abused than the first. It has several rawhide strings holding it closed. I just hope it doesn't fall apart in my hands. I have two letters from Poppy to Granma Wright. That I will include with this letter. These letters are bundled in groups.

Momma left notes as to which ones are to be read. Only two from Poppy looks like three bundles from uncle Thom or Pop, not certain on that. I'll do as the note from Momma says, she and Pop had a reason for it.
I found another small diary believe it was Pop's it is locked with a key tied to it. Rather new in appearance from the other two. So the Letters from Poppy.

Love you both
Will, Wright

     13, September, 1861,

My dearest Kate,

Me and Thom enlisted taday. They wanted ta give us old flintlock muskets, most of use Kentuckians refused thum. We kept our long rifles least they have caps. How they expect us ta fight in the damp an rain, with unreliable flintlocks. Just makes no sense.

They kept houndin us ta take thum, because of the bayonet on the end. Hell, I just beat thum with the rifle. Don't worry about me, Kate me an Thom a do just fine, one year is all we did. Hell, this war should be over by then.

We are near Clarksville, they been saying ta keep it secret. Hell, honey the Union knows theys an Army here. They fools they don't know. Thom is goin ta sneak this inta Kentucky, ta mail it off. Seem me an Thom be in the mounted infantry, so gets ta keep our horses. Rather like not walkin every where. Kate I do love you, more than Ya know. Tell Thomas I am thinkin of him.

Love your Husband
Will

The second letter, you two was much later. I looked into why he only sent two. The Kentucky Brigades were trapped in Tennessee and moved with that Army. So very little if any mail went out. Even if it did go out, would it of made it? That and did he live past that second letter.  They became known as the orphan Brigades. So second letter from Poppy.

      23, January 1862

My Dearest Kate

We withdrew from Bowling Green, because our boys were a gettin beat at Mill Springs. We've moved almost ta Murfreesboro Tennessee. Before stopping, we left well before the Battle, even started. Heard some are boys, started breaking those Flintlocks against trees. Because the damp fog and rain, got the powder to wet ta fire.

Why we ran from a fight, is not my doin. Damn fool Command. Makes me an Thom wait, then proceed ta run. Heard it was the Ohio boys that broke our lines enough fer a win. Hope this letter makes it, got a feller headed north say he would mail it once inta Kentucky. Kate do not worry, ain't seen a Blue Belly at all. Hell, haven't fired this rifle but fer some food.

I do love ya more taday than yesterday, my lovely wife. Hope you are fine, tell Thom ta stay out this run the farm. Be home soon as I can. Kate just wish I could hold ya a few precious minutes. Best seal this up. That feller needs ta go.