Thomas Wright's Diary

May 1863

1, May 1863

Friday, lan sakes no rail duty. Carpentry duty that is fine better than movin dirt. Captain Theo stopped in after supper, seems he been called back north. Wants me ta come along, say think it a transfer. He not sure say best be ready and at his quarters by 08:00. Bring my personal gear an weapon. I am packed an ready, said my goodbyes ta Leonard George an Pete.

2, May 1863

Theo, has no idea what this is about. Say just ordered back ta Cincinnati an Camp Dennison. No other details, that fine long as we not finishin out at Camp. That I do not want could be home ifin that is what they wants. Told Theo about his Da, Theo say sounds like his Da. Then he say, ya need ta go home because he does somethin like that we both leave, even ifin we have ta desert ta do it. Told him no need in him, gettin in trouble. Long as I get home. Theo say his Da needs took down, maybe even killed. Theo looked pale after sayin that, think maybe he tore between family an his Da bein a land grabber. Glad me an Poppy gots along, Poppy tried ta be good man. Late best get some sleep.

6, May 1863

Camp Dennison, Theo in with a Colonel Wilson now, one I guess asked fer him. After what seemed two hours, only twenty minutes, Theo asked me ta come in. Theo was to be given rank of Major if he would extend his enlistment one year. Not Brevet like he is a Brevet Captain, he would be a real Major in the Ohio 60th.
(Brevet was a rank given without pay, they were given during the war instead of medals.) This Colonel was told to find good officers ta take command positions. Theo excepted the promotion, under one condition I come along as a corporal. I say keep the rank I am just a soldier. That Colonel say, why you want this troop? Theo tell him need him as an assistant, or secretary.

I say ain't no way! I want in this fight, Sir. He say I need Bowman, don't need you. I took the rank, secretary what kinda fool job is that that's an officer's job. Theo know I ain't good at stuff like that.

7, May 1863

Well I rightfully don't know, what I be doin can't let Theo go off on his own. Blame war may catch up ta him, hell it may catch up ta me. Think Theo don't have an idea, of what I be doin. Think he just want me around. Day was overlong, didn't do much. Bein around all these blame officers is a might. Let's just say not fun, till supper ate at nice Inn. Better than any Army rations, had a beer after. Guess better gets used ta bein around officers, looks like that I be doing a lot of.

10, May 1863

Gots a hundred dollar bounty, fer extendin my enlistment, think I'll buy me a Spencer repeatin rifle an some ammo. Theo tell me he not sure what I be a doin. What ever it may be, think we goin east. Fight thum boys, that knows how ta fight a war. Most these Officers come out a VMI and West Point. Least that is why this General chose Theo, seems he was some kind a teacher fer him at that School befer VMI. The 60th is formin up, started it's trainin.
Theo told me ta teach them how ta shoot. Had a few never even fired a shotgun. Lan sakes just might be in trouble here.

14, May 1863

Got that Spencer an two rapid load magazines, some ammo from the Sutler. Spent 50 dollars that hundred dollar bounty. Mailed the rest home. Betsy say in her letter, Joes boys are hard workers. Mister Bowman been ridin out ta check on thum once a week. Sometimes she say, she a sees him off in the distance watchin.
This gots me worried. She say Joe come out Sunday ta check up on them, he told her that one other person a Mister Connor be out on Wednesday ta check. Ma she been fine, she took ta havin that old pistol tucked in a belt. May only be one shot, Ma a use it need be.

Wonderin if I should take off, head back home. Best inform Theo a what is goin on. Rather late do it in the mornin.

15, May 1863

Theo, he say goin ta telegraph Joe have him, inform a Mister Wilson ta send out someone ta check up on thum. He said he would telegraph this Mister Wilson also be sure he gots the message. Theo say, ya can go home Thom. That could cause more problems also. Ifin his Da think I fightin fer the Confederacy, I probably wouldn't get home. With out bein wounded, ifin his Da was only makin sure they was alright. That could set him ta thinkin other wise. Theo say ya do what ya feel is right.

My what is right, do I go home. May be bring more trouble, like addin wood ta fire. Have a fight goin on durin a war. Betsy or Ma don't seemed worried at all. Best think on this some. Joe ifin he can help, sure that Wilson feller will also. They harm come ta Betsy or Ma, they be lot more than Hell ta pay.

18, May 1863

These Fellas they comin along fine. They can at least load an shoot good enough ta defend themselves. That Wilson say he would go out introduce himself. Send one his boys out every day ta help out.
He would go out every Thursday himself ta check up on thum. Leastways I know, they bein looked in on. Best stay put fer now.

Been workin some with the Artillery, those Gunners they have ta be pretty smart ta figure fuse and how much elevation ta use. Why after I saw what he was doin. Just math is all, hell I could do that. May just talk ta Theo about that Artillery. Late best sleep some.

Thomas made a decision looks like he isn't going home.

He does have some friends looking out for him.

Thanks for your support.