Thomas Wright's Diary

Old Place 1934

William Wright's letter to Grace and Thom.

Dear Sister and Brother

I found an amazing letter, to Pop from Joe. Pop worked for him. Him and Poppy were good friends, he owned a Saloon in Ripley.
Seems our friend Theo, his Grandfather was playing dirty while Pop was away. Trying to get the land or put Gram and Ma, out the Old Place. Theo's Grandfather must of been one mean businessman.
Well, Pop did say he didn't trust him, he did think he would at least watch over Gram, keep her safe.

Pop broke his leg, right one while at Murfreesboro in Tennessee.
He ended up back at Camp Dennison. After recuperating at Dennison he went back to Tennessee, he went back to the Pioneers, Theo ended up transferred to the Pioneers. He helped build Fort Rosecrans, did some Railroad work. Pop just didn't fight seems these Pioneers were builders and infantry. I guess I best get to the important information. What follows is Joe's letter to Pop.

My dear friend Thom

I must convey this, to you the Planter Mister Bowman as you refer to him. Has told Kate, that he would require half of the worth of the crops this year to plant and tend them. She did not want me to pass this along. I feel I must we being such good friends and knowing Will so well. I have instructed them not to plant this year.

I am sending my two oldest sons, they will plant 20 acres of corn and ten of beans, so they will have food and feed for the animals.
They will stay and tend the fields help keep the farm up. Make sure firewood is in, for the winter and cooking this summer. Both know the use of firearms. Kate told me she wouldn't need them, I finally convinced her to let them help out. Thom I will keep checking in on them.

Far as hunting Frank is a decent at hunting, Ben he is a hard worker, willing to learn and work. They both can handle a plow tend to animals. Although we are not farmers they can still handle this job, Kate was willing to help them along. I'll see that one of the pigs is slaughtered to have some cured pork through winter. Far as Bowman, I will continue to keep an eye on him. I won't let the man take down what you have rebuilt.

Kate and Betsy are doing fine. They both are strong and hard willed ladies. You should be proud of them, I know your Poppy would be.
I am doing well as is the family, the Saloon is making money. All this travel troops and business owners moving to make deals out of the east to Cincinnati as made the Saloon prosper. One thing Thom I believe Bowman knows, a few things or maybe he thinks he does. Like you setting Tuey free maybe even the Railroad. Mind now I am not certain on this. Thom I will keep track of this and if need be move Kate and Betsy to Ohio.

They do have few Lawyers in the Railroad if they need them to stop Bowman if he tries to start a land grab, or God forbid he does something like try and steel or hurt, them my boys would do there best not to allow that. I also told Betsy and Kate not to take on more fugitive slaves. This may help keep Bowman from doing more, bringing the Sheriff out to search or something. Thom do not worry me and a few others will keep a eye out on them and farm.

Thom you take care, do nothing stupid like re-enlist. Get back home, take care of the Farm and start a family.

Your friend
Joe.

Thom Grace I know this Saloon, it is still owned by the same family. I decided to check in with the family. I found a treasure of information. They had letters from Pop to Joe, plus a cryptic note to Joe in about 1870. Not sure what that is about I won't include that till I try and figure out what it is. For now I thought I should add Pops return letter on what Joe told him.

Joe, my dear friend

Thank ya fer brinin this ta light. I know yar boys will do a fine job, helpin out. When I get back I will pay thum fer they efforts. They can stay on till I return. If Bowman tries anythin I will kill the man where he stands! Even ifin I have ta desert ta do it. Army thinks I from Circleville any ways. They come lookin they won't find me.

I am a might happy yar Saloon is prosperin and the rest of yar family is doin good. I got few plans fer after this war, ya might be interested in. Fer now I'll keep those ta myself, depends on the situation after.

Well, what I been doin. Worked on maintainin the Railroad down here. Helped build on this fort they buildin. We stay busy not much down time, regular soldiers well they just Drillin an doin fatigue work. Damn glad ain't stuck like that. To much down time.

My messmates Leonard, Pete an George are a great bunch fellas.
We share are rations an whatever else we may have got from the Sutler, or what other means, may come about. We call it requistionin, ya know I do not ask they do not talk as ta how.

My days are long like on the farm, like it that way. Stayin busy helps keep from thinkin on Betsy an Ma, an my land. Joe, I used ta love ta look up at the stars, wonder how many what they were. Why they in the sky. Now they just points of mostly useless light. Stones River has changed me so. Joe keep yar boys home, ya stay home! I do this only because it needs done. They is no glory, adventure in war! Only blood death an fear. Pull this Union back tagether maybe end slavery in the process, is all I am doin.

Your friend
Thom

Grace Thom, let me know when in July we will get together. Hope it is around the forth. Tully will be here then, he said he wanted to do a pig. Be nice if we all could get together have big meal just like on Sundays like Ma so loved. I best close up here. Best to you both
Your Brother
Will

William Wright's diary

What does, Joe I have sent the Children to New Richmond mean?
Getting the Ohio boys. Inform Theo bring a gun, old place! Me and Beth will return by tomorrow. Hurry!
Pop what is going on? Wish I could ask. The year I am not certain on, he said children I double checked that. Could it mean us three or just myself and grace? Pop could of wrote plural not knowing any better.

These other letters between Pop and Joe and Betsy an Gram probably won't tell me. Get over to Maysville maybe the News Paper has something I'll start looking around 1870 or so, see if something happened, gun see if someone went missing. Pop Momma what did you do? This has me worried what is in my family that is so bad, you can't know about?

XxxxxxcxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

So what is it, any thoughts on that?

Could it involve Mister Bowman?

Seems Joe, Theo and some Ohio boys are needed.

I know I have two plots going at once, makes for a good read.
Thanks all for the support. Vote comment I do want to know what you think the past has hidden from view.
You all take care, keep reading it will unravel when you least expect it.
Dram12 AKA Tim