Thomas Wright's Diary

June 1864

Thomas has just arrived at Petersburg, within a few miles off the Dimmock line. What's in store for Thomas? Again thanks for your time.

15, June 1864

We aren't much more than a day from Petersburg, why we really put it ta old Bobby Lee! Fooled him went right around him an headed straight ta Petersburg, take Petersburg they has no railroad ta supply them or Richmond they Capital. Grant, he can think, just sometimes his tactics make no sense ta me. Could be I am no VMI or West Point graduate, just a fella got promoted that shouldn't a been. Word been filterin back theys a fight ahead long line a defence works, might heavy one at that.
Philotis put some pork an hardtack over some cups steamed some  where we chew it some. We on two hour halt ta eat an rest before we finish out ta Petersburg. Think I'll try catch a nap.

16, June 1864

Dear me, such a long deep lookin defence! This scares ya nough ta  near take breathe away. My heart races, this a be like Cold Harbor; may be worse than that! Best close here, we formin up.

Dear me, heavy losses ta the Corp we did manage ta take some ground. We managed ta take the Howlet line down. Overall the platoon is in good shape. Late evenin men are at rest tryin ta eat and sleep some. Cannon are thunderin across the lines, Philotis all ways the one, ta raise spirits say boys we be fine we a beat this an move on ta Richmond whup old Bobby Lee a good one. I fear this take longer than most think. Old Bobby ain't one ta stop till he can't fight, no food or ammo only stop him.

19, June 1864

The we are mostly stuck, in breastworks, or trenches. Think this has turned inta a siege, we take pot shots an artillery fire at each other, fer now who knows. The boys are a doin good, they scared we might attack again. Must say, I have ta really think hard on that. Couldn't disobey an order, just be waste of time an men. Only thin I can think, is Grant figure he gots Bobby Lee stuck here. Why not just keep him here, a spell whittle him down some.

We close up that railroad, Confederacy be in a big hurt. Richmond run out a food an such. Starve thum out! Sharpshooter take a shot on occasion. If they a hittin anythin not sure, guess they doin what they need ta do. One less man ta fight, one less bullet or bayonet ta worry about. Thought it hot in Kentucky, my it be hot here in Virginia. Could be I just miss home, home always seems better less heat or cold. Think the mind just tellin ya ta get home is all.

Those Rebs only about 250-300 yards away, I might have ta take few shots myself ifin, I want ta chance puttin my head above this trench ta shoot. Not sure I wants ta do that, may just have a Reb doin the same. The sun done moved some, not on top us now. Finish this here coffee an check the line out. Best close up.

20, June 1864

Late evenin sun moved west, near dark. Philotis found some whisky. Where didn't ask, don't want ta know just good ta have a touch an relax. Few shots fired at us an thum taday. No real skirmish just fellas, goin fer a shot when they gots one. Some mortar an cannon fire around the lines. I Company First Platoon goin ta do a little look see at the Reb lines tanight, so men have ta be ready ta return fire ifin we have ta. Fellas started Home Sweet Home, it carried on up down the line both sides. Rebs started at the beginnin we were about forth way in. Home Sweet Home echoed round the trenches an breastworks.

Then the Rebs started Dixie. We started with our version of Dixie.
Our Band started playin when Johny comes Marchin Home Again.
Both sides joined in, bands playin fellas singin! My all the while First Platoon checkin the Reb line. Least ways they made it back with out bein heard nor seen. The Bands played till well after tattoo. ( During a siege both Bands played to keep spirits up, both sides joined playing the same song, singing along. This was done also the night before a battle, the Bands played to see who sounded the loudest, it was like a music competition. Music doesn't play a large a role now as then.)

                                         Lyrics to Dixie
                                  The Norths Version

This is one version of several that were done as Parodies.

Away Down South in the Land of Traitors, Rattlesnakes and alligators, Right away, come away.
Where Cotton's King and men are Chattels, Union boys will win the battles.
Right away, come away, right away, come away.
Then we'll all go down to Dixie away, away.
Each Dixie boy must understand. That he must mind Uncle Sam.

The term Uncle Sam has been around from about 1813 till now and still in use. This name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy New York, he supplied barrels of beef to the  United States during the War of 1812. He stamped the barrels with U.S. referring to the United States, then soldiers started calling it Uncle Sam. Hence the name stuck for Americas nick name.

Think that ends this chapter, thanks for reading vote and comment please. I look forward to each one of your comments and votes. The Battle of the Crater is next up for Thomas and his men.