Thomas Wright a young teenager starts his Diary in July 1858 America. Northern Kentucky, Mason county near the Town of Dover and Lees Creak. across the Ohio River the town of Ripley Ohio. Hot bed of Abolitionist movement. between befriending a slave...
Short note here, sorry for the time between updates. Just haven't been able to write, haven't felt like reading. Most of you have been trapped in or around your homes. I feel for you, I really do I've been working from the time this all started here in the United States. The work doesn't bother me, it's the thought of bringing home something that has the potential of harming my wife, maybe even killing her.
She has a disease of unknown origin in her lungs. If she was to get this virus, well already having that. Things could become drastically worse. Stress lack of sleep work, living off one income. I'm not one to quit or complain. I've just been to tired to write or read. Plus Thomas just doesn't want to come out. Writers block! That ends this little note, thanks for your continued support.
12, June 1863
Finally know what I be doin, Theo tell me ta work with this Lieutenant Norris. Theo wants ta train me ta be an Officer. Truly don't know about that. He tell me I am a natural leader. I say that be a lie. Don't know a thing about leadin, best keep me a soldier fer now. Well, do as I am told even ifin I think it wrong. We be movin here in a couple days. Headed east, least that what Theo say.
That Lieutenant Norris he in charge Company I, acting Captain. Seems like a nice fella, one of them fellas went ta Military School. Think long as I listen he don't get killed, one those Platoon leaders don't get killed. I just be regular soldier way I wants ta be. Might late best get some sleep.
14, June 1863
We are near Harpers Ferry, that place Brown raided still think that man was a bit touched. We out this way to guard the railroad. My another railroad job, least ways I ain't a fixin it. We at a place called Buckeystown, in Maryland just south of Frederick. Protectin the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. My thinkin is we need this railroad ta get supplies out the Midwest Food an such from Ohio Indiana Kentucky. What we may need ta win this here war. Mail ain't caught up ta me yet. So no letters, from home. Just finished up one ta home. Best get some sleep got do a little walk northwest in the mornin, see if those Gray legs headed this away.
15, June 1863
That little walk turned inta a skirmish, lasted just a few minutes. My it was a most devastating few minutes, we lost Lieutenant Norris. He had no chance, his neck was a tore up mess. Company I well lets say did well fer it's commander killed right off. Those fellas hit us hard then run off. Must been a small raidin party or scoutin party. Ran in ta them just east a Sharpsburg. The fellas did good, most first any seen a fight. Least they first taste a small skirmish not full blown battle. Can't figure where these Rebs come from. Most raidin parties they try an put off a fight till they get ta the point they want ta raid. Mentioned that ta Theo, he just nodded on it. Think maybe we should be scoutin more, figure out what goin on. I ain't no Officer so, my opinion don't matter.
June 18, 1863
Guess my opinion may start ta matter, Second Lieutenant Wright now. My this is a big mistake. I ain't an Officer, just goin ta get a lot men killed. Least my thinkin I should be just a soldier. Theo say not ta worry, I got good judgment quick learner be just fine. Then he say Rank of Officer in most Volunteer units are bought or given, not by ability or knowledge. The need of good men ta lead falls on you Thom. I just say yes Sir, do my best. Theo say that is all I ask Thom. Dear me, I don't know how ta lead. Guess I sleep on it.
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General Lees, Army of Northern Virginia advance North into Pennsylvania.
At the same time several battles in the west were taking place. The Tullahoma campaign, June 24- July 3 1863, Army of the Cumberland, General Rosecrans commanding. Battle of Vicksburg May 18- July 4, 1863. Army of Tennessee General Grant commanding. General Lee and his Army meet the Union Army's newest Commander General Meade, Battle of Gettysburg.
If you look at the map, just how Lee managed to move his Army that far north; without the Union knowing or even seeing advanced elements moving is considered a brilliant move. Lee may not of been a Brilliant fighting General, he had a great Command structure for this, Lee was more a maneuvering Commander, moving his Army and out thinking the Union. Was his ability, keeping an Army together with little supply lines, his Armies split fighting on three fronts. How the Confederacy managed to fight as long as they did in the East is more Lees doing than anything.
Battle of Tullahoma
This Battle is considered one the most tactically sound battles of the war. Overshadowed by Vicksburg and Gettysburg. The Army of Cumberland commanded by Rosecrans, the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by Braxton Bragg. Rosecrans Feinted Bragg's left while swiftly taking key passes. Then wheeling right on Bragg. (If you care to find greater detail on the maneuvering. Look up this little known battle.) This Battle had the first major use of the Spencer repeating rifle and a scrounged together Mounted Infantry unit on horses and mules. They carried long hatchets for hand to hand combat and the Spencer repeating rifle. They got the name Hatchet Brigade. Although Rosecrans did manage to defeat Bragg, he did not pursue him. Later Rosecrans was defeated by Bragg at Chickamauga in September 1863.
Major James A. Connolly, Wilders Brigade.
Our regiment lay on a hill side in mud and water, the rain pouring down in torrents, while each shell screamed so close to us as to make it seem that the next would tear us to pieces. Presently the enemy got near us to make a charge on our Battery, and they came; our men on their feet in an instant and terrible fire from the Spencers causes the advancing regiment to reel and it's colors to fall to the ground, but in an instant their colors are up again and on they come, thinking to reach the Battery before our guns can be reloaded, but they reckoned without their host, they didn't know we had the Spencers, their charging yell was answered by another terrible volley and another and another without cessation, until the poor regiment was literally cut to pieces, and but a few men of that 20th Tennessee that attempted the charge will never charge again. The deadly repeating fire of the Union.
I hope all are doing good, dealing with what ever form social distancing you are having to deal with.
If a chapter on the Battle of Gettysburg, History and maybe Including Thom or Uncle Thom, is desired let me know. I would like to do a short Chapter on General John Hunt Morgan. His raid north ordered by Braxton Bragg, this raid took place between June, 11- July 26, 1863.
