Thomas Wright's Diary

Letters, Home

The old place, 1934. William Wright son of Thomas and Beth Wright. Communication to Grace and Thom.

Grace, Thom hope you two are fine. Pops' reaction was far greater than even I expected. He said something like, him an God would have a long talk.
When he died, he felt no need to pray or talk to God. He was thinking on enlisting to make up for Poppy's death. Bowman the Planter that owns Rivers Edge. Is trying to force Pop off the old place.

From what I have read, this Bowman was a shrewd businessman, always getting what he wanted. Even Poppy warned Pop that he would take everything you had. Pop said one-eighth of Rivers Edge was Wright's land. This Bowman would get no more Wright land. Bowman, is Theo's grandfather, my partner at Bowman and Wright. Not all the Bowman were power-hungry. We have two letters this time. One from Theo senior and uncle Thom. The first letter is from Theo to Pop, second from uncle Thom.

My dear Friend,
Thom

I am proud to say my Company, letter K performed well at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, the southern papers refer to it as Shiloh. The 59th is a fine group, most signed on for only a year. I hope they all reenlist they are a great bunch of fellas.

Thom, I won't get into the horrific details. Only that battle and it's aftermath is mind-numbing and altering, to say the least. The musketry and cannon fire is loud after your ears ring for several minutes. The smoke from powder can fill the air like fog. Making it hard to see friend or foe, at times I lost sight of our Guide-on in that haze of smoke.

The musket rounds crack as they pass around you. Drum and bugle calls fill the air. Shouts are just heard between the chaos of noises. Battle Thom is just on the edge of uncontrolled chaos. Never has fear gripped me so, before it all began, after the first fix bayonet order on the double quick. The fear left or was controlled. Only thing left was the thought of staying alive. Thom I see no glory in this or why men choose to fight. I truly hope one day we all stand together as one wounds healed. Be the Great Country we should be.

Thom, I hope your family is well. I know I shouldn't say this, how is my Slave owning father? I just hope this war ends that institution for the good of all. Don't worry about your friend here, I feel I will survive this altercation. If only to see my father lose his slaves. I truly feel when the Union wins, and we most certainly will, that will be gone.

Thom I know, you are a good man of heart and soul, hope to see you soon. Make sure to get some fishing in.

Respectfully
Captain
Theo Bowman

Grace Thom, it seems my benefactor Theo, was a very close friend of Pop. More so than we really knew. The letter from uncle Thom, just after Shiloh. Near as I can tell.

My dearest sister Kate,

I have seen a few mild skirmishes nothin like my first battle. Just run-ins with those Blue Bellies. Scoutin parties and small patrols. We been eatin a lot beans and rice. Salt pork only fresh meat, we get is maybe a rabbit or squirrel ifin we can shoot it. I miss a good stew or gravy an biscuits. Hope you an Thom are doin fine. Tell him ta stay out this! Kate I have grown quite fond of war. I believe maybe I should not survive this. I have what I call a blood lust.

I do not hate those Yanks! Just wish they go home, leave us be. They stay home, why they would not be a fight. Kate I have been wounded, they managed ta shoot two of my fingers off, I got just a nub of my second finger most my third one is gone. They have discharged me, Surgeon say can not hold a rifle ta shoot it proper. I am right handed it is my left hand.
I can still load an fire a damn rifle.

The Surgeon smiled at me say go home, while ya have a chance at livin. I made it ta Kentucky Kate, not sure I want ta come home, an stay. I will try an stop in before I decide what I want ta do. May just try an reenlist in Virginia, I am comin home through the Gap, hope ta see you an Thom soon.

Your brother
Thom.

Grace, Thom, as you can see we now know how uncle Thom ended up in Pickets regiment. Pop said he had made decision on what he would do fight or not, the last part of his diary I have read. I haven't read any further. Maysville Historical Society, has no info on Pop far as Military duty.
If he enlisted it wasn't local. Theo gave me some of the documents from Pops' and his fathers efforts.

I have been looking those over, I don't want to get into any detail on them. I have just started. So till next time, oh we must get together soon. Say sometime this summer maybe July. I should have a good idea what really happened by then.

Your Brother
William.

Thanks all for reading. Well is the puzzle coming together yet?

Take a guess as to what happens.
What is it that Thomas and Beth kept from the children, William Grace and Thom?

Remember Theo help pay for Williams Education, gave him his job.

I am sorry if the names, get confusing at times.
I wanted this to run true with families. Using the same name. So the next chapter is moving forward after the harvest, September 1862.

Vote make a few comments if you please.