Thomas Wright's Diary

The Letter

Old Place 1934, William Wright's Diary. The Battle of Shiloh. Communication to His brother Thomas and sister Grace.

Hi both of you, I've gotten to the point Momma said, I should read the letter from uncle Thom.
I have read it. I don't know yet how Pop reacted to the letter. I felt it important to copy this letter and send it first. I'll add what he felt later. Thom I see you found out, uncle Thom did enlist with Picket later after, his Kentucky 4th term. So our info isn't wrong on him. Well, the letter you two, as uncle Thom wrote it. The first part of the letter is before the Battle of Shiloh.

   3, April 1862
My sister Kate,

Hope you and Thom are doing well. Seems we are done runnin. Talk of taking on the Union, with force are spreadin about the camp. Will is fine, working on a letter now. Not sure how we will get thum up to ya, as of yet. Not to worry I'll do my best ta protect Will, think ya know that Kate.

Tell Thom me an his Poppy are doin fine. Like chasin those fugitive slaves, is all. Mostly ridin and walking yar horse. Sleepin on the ground, eatin what ya got or forage fer. Haven't seen a yank as of yet. Wonder ifin they just ain't lookin or we ain't findin thum.

Talked ta some of the boys that's been in a fight. Most say the fear, leaves after ya fire the first shot. The fear don't much bother me, Kate the part that I fear. I am not like you or Will even Thom. I may like this War thing, take to the killin. I enjoyed takin the lives of those that killed my family in Georgia.

Kate I fear, I won't want ta stop after it's over. We can't tell ya where we are. Just say not Kentucky is all. We has ta move out! Thinkin we are goin to go after, those Yanks but good!

9, April 1862

My Dearest Sister,

Kate, I can not come up with the right words, to say this other than my Brother your Husband. Has died of wounds from battle. At a place called Shiloh, he lived but a day after, while we retreated from the Battle. I feel if we could have stopped and tended to his wounds proper. He may have survived, I am not a Surgeon. That and bein his brother may, impede my thinkin.

Will, loved you till the end never once did he falter from his love. Kate you an Thomas kept him going those precious hours he lived. I cut a lock of his hair, placed it with yours that he carried. The last we spoke, he said, tell Kate an Thomas I love them. For Thomas ta stay home, away from this War. Tend ta the family an farm.

Kate, he didn't die in vane, he tried ta save our drummer, very young lad not yet 13. The boys in Blue sent the young one back after stoppin, they charge and regroupin. Bandage wrapped around his head, could not carry both. Will yelled the way back I should have left him. Will was Brave, in our first charge inta, what's called War. Why the Yell we all made, as we charged thum. Had ta scared those Blue Bellies ta death just before sunrise.

Me an Will, were sweatin an out a breath time it was over. Will smiled said, we caught thum sleepin! Some were found dead in they tents. They ran off left they camp not even a mornin fire was lit. Kate if only  I done as I said, kept Will close I would of went after the lad. Sent Will on. Fergive me, Kate, please do that so I can go ta my grave. Happy an filled with love like Will. I made sure he was buried proper.

Your loving Brother,
Thomas Wright
Ps, I could not find Will's letter ta ya Kate, that deeply sorrows me.

I have a small part of some writing done by a Confederate soldier at the Battle of Shiloh. That later became famous, his name is Henry Morton Stanley, think most everyone will recognize the name. If not I'll have a little refresher course later.