Thomas Wright's Diary

1862

                 29, January 1862

Wednesday, went ta Dover pick up the mail. Ma was happy, Poppy wrote ta her. Seems they retreated ta Murfreesboro, think he said Tennessee. Battle of Fishing Creek was few weeks back. Either in the West the Union Army is touch better, or Kentuckians and Tennesseans can't fight fer a damn. Union whupped thum but good.

Sent thum running, lan sacks Poppy an uncle Thom might just be in might a trouble. Ma went from happy ta worry. Hell, I worry a touch myself.
Betsy she is fine, her an Ma take turns reading from the Bible and the papers after supper. Makes the evenin much more pleasant. Unlessin it has War news, Betsy she try an skip around it. Ma she don't think she is hopin ta find Poppy and his Regiment. Been cold as of late. My makes ya want ta crawl up and stay inside. Work needs done, feed the animals check they water, make sure fence is still good.

Make repairs of the the tools fer this spring. Lan sakes I try an stay busy. We three try I'll say that.
Well it's late Betsy is callin Ma she done asleep.

             3, February 1862

Ma wanted ta go home fer a few days, her an Betsy went ta the new place. Betsy been leadin the runways across the river, lately she as taken on a bigger role than before. Not just feedin an mendin clothes now she helpin thum cross. Don't much like it, she is doin what is right. She get caught most certainly be killed.

Guess Ma just lonely wanted ta be near Poppy and his thins. She also say less danger ta Betsy crossin that blame river. Ma she is worried we gets caught. Thins look bad, I a figure somethin out.
Got a letter from Theo, tellin me Tuey made it ta Buffalo just fine. The letter came from Paducah, Theo in Kentucky. Guess he is part of Grants Army of Tennessee.

            4, February 1862

Tuesday, fed the animals watered thum, weather little warmer. Went Ta Ripley taday, picked up some news papers from Joe. Visited a spell Saloon wasn't much busy. Joe say unlessin troops from counties west a here are moving by riverboat an stop fer coal or cargo. Business been slow even fer winter. Think this here War be the first Armies don't have ta march every where, been usin trains and riverboats ta move thum. Plus the telegraph gettin word on thins a lot faster.

They is boys in blue, on both sides the river makin patrols. Guess they fear an attack or spies be crossin. I got back ta the old place, got the animals in an went ta the new place ta stay the night. Ben Greyson say he stop by an feed let the animals out told him he could have half the milk from the cow just put the rest in the cellar. With Family an all, he was happy ta do it.

            26, February 1862

Lan sakes somethin has ta give here, Ma don't want ta leave the new place. I am tired of wakin an havin ta ride out ta the old place an do the work an come back. No time ta even add ta the diary. Think I best let Ma live the new place give Betsy travel papers ta go stay with Ma some durin the day.

Think that be best Ma can make it on her own, she don't need ta be alone all the time. Betsy or I can visit on occasion. Worried if Ma gets bad news her bein alone might break her. Stay one more night head home.

      27, February 1862

Done found two runaways of Mister Bowman's last night, near the old place. This I hated doin no time ta get them across before daylight. Can't have myself or Betsy seen with thum. Can't hide thum here at the new place. I am stuck, what ta do. Think on this some, after I get back from checkin the old place. Decide then, told Ma an Betsy keep thum inside till I gets back.

27, February 1862
12:00 pm

Took a chance decided to get with Joe, see if he can help. Get those two across the river. He said he would get thum about midnight, his wife would watch the Saloon.  Told Ma ta hide thum till dark in the loft behind my old bed. Mister Bowman wants me out ta look fer thum. Told him I would.
Had Betsy stay with Ma, I'll just take a little ride over in Ohio fer a day or two. Hope this don't turn bad while I is gone.