Thomas Wright's Diary

April-May 1862

25, April 1862

My what news, we been getting from the west. Union is rollin in victory after victory. Just hope Poppy is doin fine. Ma been worrin a lot lately knowing Poppy is near all the fightin. No word from him or uncle Thom as of late. Fields are done ready fer seed. Be a doin that soon. Betsy an Ma been makin soap and butter ta sell. Thinkin maybe clear some more land have a small plot of hemp next season. Think on that more this summer.

Ma been workin a few days at the Inn over in Ripley. Only three keeps her busy not as lonely. She still stayin at the new place. Out east seems the Confederacy is doin better at this war. Figured once the killin started, few families lost some loved ones and damage to they farms. They would stop this, an try an live together. Guess I was wrong, it won't end till one side is whupped but good.

26, April 1862

Dear me, a fella showed up today, looking fer Ma. He had a message an letter fer her. Told him I would take it, I am her son. Man said promised I would hand deliver it ta Kate Wright. I told Betsy we best head over see Ma. This feller won't give me the message fer Ma. I stopped writin.

26, April 1862 late evening.

Lan sakes, Poppy is dead. Ma won't speak she is silent won't eat nor sleep. Don't even know if she has cried. She just stands lookin across the River.
Betsy has held my hand and hugged me. I have cried to where I can not think straight. This War! Has done took, my Poppy! Fer what? Not freein the slaves, to hold the Union!

I say let it fall apart! Man told Ma, uncle Thom say he was fine. Tell Kate, he hopes ta be home soon. Think maybe this war be over soon, least out west.
My thinkin is, never end till one side quits. That a be quite sometime. Told Betsy ta watch over Ma, had some thinkin ta do. More reasons not ta talk ta God. When I do! Tellin you, best plug ya ears. It won't be pretty. Ma sat on the porch lookin across the river. Till past dark, she was sleepin last I checked. Betsy threw a quilt over her, we will sleep my old room. Late I am so tuckered, hope I can sleep.

27, April 1862

Sunday, Ma finally cried took her ta church. After she went ta Rivers Edge ta tell the Bowman's about Poppy, she sat through another sermon with Betsy.
I fished, was not worth my time. Didn't catch one fish or even see one slave. Mister Bowman tried ta buy the old place. Ma told him ta come see me, I was the man ta see. He didn't even offer a fair price. Wasn't lookin ta sell any ways. Flat told him, I would have ta die, then maybe Ma would sell.

He smiled at me, say ya sure? Lot a work fer a young man like you. Ya should go off an fight in ya Poppy's place young Thom. Tell him won't be sellin any time soon. Truth be known, that man won't get even an acre of Wright land out a me. He blocks the access ta the new place why they, will be war.

2, May 1862

Mister Bowman changed his terms on the use of slaves. Say it was not cost effective ta work thum fer an eighth he needed a fourth, or he would not send more out through the season. Can't own the place so ya just, try an make it where I can't keep it. To late to negotiate with another Planter. He wouldn't budge from his price. Did what I had ta, agreed ta his price. Poppy say don't trust him, I didn't an still got beat.

Got word from Theo, he is a Captain with the 59th Ohio, hope his men didn't face Poppy. Hate ta have a friend caught up in his death. No need ta dwell on that. He is doing good, only thin that matters, he still alive. Been thinkin on what Mister Bowman say, should go fight ta replace my Poppy.
Think on that some more, reckon it can't hurt none ta think.

5, May 1862
Went ta Ripley ta see Joe, let him know about Poppy. Wanted ta talk ta him about few thins. Joe was hurt hearin about Poppy, they got along well.
Joe didn't agree with chasin slaves, he didn't hold that against me or Poppy. Joe is fair man, told him thought about joinin the fight. Joe he told me this fight ain't about freeing slaves. Just putting back the Union. Did I think that was worth a fight.

Ya know Joe was right in aways not sure? Guess I think on it some more.

11, May 1862

I have thought and struggled, with this gettin in the fight. Poppy fought, because he thought all should have the right ta choose. The people of that new state. Should choose ifin they want slavery. Not told by the government what they can do.

Hell, Poppy freed his Pops slaves, in Georgia Poppy went out rescued freeman. Guess Poppy figured what the Law say is right. My thinkin is the War ends, the Union wins slavery be over. Victors gets ta write the law. Surely those Abolitionists get they way, end slavery but good. I guess I am one those Abolitionists, help free slaves.

What am I? Use slaves ta help out on the farm. Then turn around free thum if I can. Try ta make thins better for them, while they works the place. Those few days they here. I could try an pay Mister Bowman off, then harvest what survives without help. I'll have no set back money. Bowman a get the old place, probably the new.

I'll not lose the farm, I want the rest of the Wright land back from Rivers Edge. Time ta take Betsy ta church, Ma just got back, she moved back ta the old place.

12, May 1862

Monday mornin hopin fer rain, crops need some water. Betsy an Ma, are both fit ta be tied. Mentioned not payin Mister Bowman harvest what we can. Maybe lose the farm, ifin we not careful. That I was thinkin of goin off an fightin in this here War. Ma she shouted the Wright's gave up nough ta the cause! We weren't goin ta lose the farm over it also. Betsy walked away didn't speak ta me, rest of the day.

12, May 1862

Rest of the day, I worked the small garden planted few rows of corn beans an potatoes. Betsy finally spoke ta me, she say we doin are part. Helpin free those that need it. No need ta go off fight over it.
Besides, she say slaves workin the land. Why they won't think we a helpin get thum ta freedom.

Ma she say she stuck in the middle, best try an help. Ifin I want ta go fight, she couldn't stop me, no words could stop Poppy. They both right, still feel the need, ta be more a part of this.

28, May 1862

Rained most the day light one, still able ta get out do a few thins. Can not get this goin off ta fight out my head. Feel I needs ta do more, loves Betsy should I leave her an Ma. They is no one ta look after thum, what if slave traders take Betsy again.
Ifin I don't come back, what a happen?

Think I was part a some joke, Betsy an Ma were gigglin when I cane in. Didn't ask why they was, figured best I didn't know. Think I made my decision. Think on it, do what's needed in the mornin. Best get some sleep, Betsy been lookin at me, that away.

TID BITS

May 9, 1862
United States Naval Academy relocated from Annapolis Maryland to Newport Rhode Island.

May 15 1862

United States Department of Agriculture created.

May 15, 1862

First baseball enclosure opens at Union Grounds Brooklyn, NY.

May 16, 1862

Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir builds the first automobile.

May 20, 1862

U.S. Homestead Act becomes law, which provides cheap land for the settlement of the west.

May 24, 1862

Westminster Bridge across the Thames opens in London.

July 29, 1862

Confederate commerce raider
CSS Alabama is launched clandestinely at Birkenhead, by John Laird Sons and Company.

Thanks all for reading.

So what does Thomas do?

Thanks for waiting on the updates. Past few weeks have been crazy. I'll get back on some kind of schedule soon, at least I hope too.
Comment, vote. Do you want more history not just the diary. What do you think of Diary, is it working, far as the entertainment part of the story? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to comment in the open.

Again thank you all, for coming back for each update. Dram12-Tim