Thomas Wright's Diary

The Letters

1934 old place, Thom's letter to Betsy and Ma, 25, December 1862. Correspondence with Thom and Grace.

Brother, Sister.

I hope all is well. I am sending this copy of Pops letter home, from the date it is right before the Battle of Stones River. My thinking is it's his letter home, before he marched into his first fight.

My Dearest Betsy an Ma,

I find myself in Nashville, I have been trainin more. Long hard days. I am part of a Brigade me an Leonard, they call it the Pioneer Brigade.  Looks like we be a building fer the Army, bridges an such. So still have ta carry a musket an such. Maybe I won't see much fightin.

I miss ya both, an the old place. Hope you are both well. Not havin any problems, money or food.
Christmas day, feel might lonely. Least they feed us better in this Pioneer Brigade, no extra duty also.
Ya have no need ta worry, think we might just be the reserves in battle.

Besides I am part of the Army of Cumberland, a western Army, hell those Rebs  they ain't found a way ta whup up on the Union yet. They ain't near as deadly as those boys are in the east.
Did hear we may be movin soon, that I take like a flash in the pan. Ya know hear thins like that all the time. Never amounts ta nothin.

Most the fellas are a nice bunch of people. Farmers and few carpenters, blacksmith, even some barrel makers. Ta pass the time, we sing tell stories about where we are from. Play cards, even learned how ta play some chess. Ain't much good at it, prefer checkers. Of course you both are always on my mind an the old place. Took ta reading dime novels what ever I can get. If ya wrote me, I ain't got a letter yet. Mail may not of found me yet.

I worry so, no letters from ya. Puts the fear in me.
Just hope it's the mail not caught me yet. Please write soon as ya can. Betsy you are my soul, the one true thin I have. Ma yar son a return, I will do my damnest ta make it home. Please write.

Love ya Both
Thomas.

Grace Thom I did find a letter from Betsy, Pops mentioned it in his dairy, he was so relieved when he got it. I will include it.

To Mister Thom

I have never written a letter before. So I truly hope you understand it. Although I can read and write. I have had no need to write a letter. Who would I write to. I miss you and love you, the farm is not the same. Without you. Thom me and Ma are gettin on just fine.

We have no worries, still plenty of cash. That's what yar Ma says. Joe stopped over and Master Bowman also. I miss the sound of yar voice and the way ya sleep nice quiet breaths and still sleep.
When ya sat at the table or on the porch writing down yar day. That smile when ya looked at me or saw some thin funny.

Thom I just miss ya. Why did ya go off an fight. We could have just sent slaves off ta freedom. Do not go an get killed on me.

Love you
Betsy

You two I think Betsy loved Pops, I am telling you she is Momma. Well you two take care, it's April I will see you in July. Till my next letter.
Your Brother
Will

I know very short chapter, think this a good lead  into the third part of the story. Hope the history in past few chapters wasn't to boring. Thanks again for reading vote comment. Let me know what you think.