Thomas Wright's Diary

My Letter

I have decided ta fill the last page this Dairy with a special letter, fer my Family an Friends.

So Betsy, never did I expect ta love ya. Thought it be lust nothin more. I am right proud, that I jumped the broom with ya. Those Slaves we sent on ta Freedom. The thins I know you endured, befere Ma got ya. How ya tended the sick an one's with child. Puttin me an others first. Knowin with me ya didn't have ta. Ifin I don't return, please move north ta Buffalo or Canada. They is freedom up that way. Tuey seems happy, heard it from Theo. You are my life, my want is fer only you ta be happy. My love will never die.

Ma, I am still yar lovin son. Thins have changed me. I want so ta hug an tell ya, I will be home. I will try my best ta do that, sometimes even a man needs a hug from his Ma. Ifin I do not return, the farm is yars ta do as fit. Ifin ya sell it, give Betsy half considerin half is mine. Help her get north ifin the War is lost ta the south. Ma I know ya love me an miss me an Poppy. I have not been near Shiloh ta try an find Poppies grave. Ifin I do I will leave behind some kind of flowers fer ya. Yar son Thom.

Fer Joe, and Theo.

My two dear friends, ya both have done thins fer me. Joe ya help Betsy get out the Saloon that day.
Gettin her across the river. Ya stop in check on her an Ma. Have the railroad check in on occasion. This is more than I could ask, take on more worry when ya have yar own ta take care of. I thank ya.

Theo, ya trusted me ta get Tuey far north. Ya took me inta yar Company, I know that was ta watch over me. Ya sent me ta the Pioneers. I know ya meant ta try an keep me safe. This I shall remember. Ifin we both make it out, I hope we remain friends after. We could do a lot thins tagether maybe a few Business deals. I have a few fer after in my head. Ifin ya make it home an I don't, please check up on Ma, ifin Betsy didn't leave, check on her. Only Bowman can own any my land is you. Make sure Ma knows that.

Well that should be what I needed said. I will try ta make it home. Betsy Ma love ya both more than ya know. Theo, Joe, ya both like brothers. Hope ta see ya all real soon.

             Color Guard 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Little History on Generals of the Civil War or War Between the States. I have a list of Generals from Ohio later in the story I'll have more on Ohio's part in the War. This isn't in any order.

Generals of Ohio,

Ulysses S. Grant

William T. Sherman

George B. McClellan

Joseph Hooker

John Pope

Don Carlos Buell

Irvine McDowell

William Rosecrans

Jacob Cox

James B. McPherson

George Armstrong Custer

Charles Griffin

Charles Clark, Confederate States

William Babcock Hazen

Emerson Opdycke

Bushrod Johnson, Confederate States

Robert H. Hatton, Confederate States

James Blair Steedman

W.H.L. Wallace

As you can see some moved south and Served with the Confederacy. Most were Union if not stated other wise, if you see one not listed Confederate and they were, let me know I will fix it.

Short part, very short I know Soldiers wrote out small letters for family, put it in pockets or possibles bags. Left it with friends before Battle. Asked for certain things to get home. Thomas stated Leonard was to make sure his Dairy got home. What better place for such a letter.

I have a question, has the last few chapters gave you insight into Thomas or any soldier? I didn't want the Battle scenes to be to graphic. I wanted you to place what he said and imagine what happened. If that idea didn't work, let me know I'll change it some.
Thanks all you are a great bunch of friends.
Comment, vote if you please.