Thomas Wright's Diary

Home!

I want to mention some bits of History, here Kentucky still held slaves and it was legal to own them, unlike Maryland and Missouri they abolished slavery during the War. Kentucky didn't till December 18th 1865. Although most Slave owners lost control of slaves they left for the north, the men joined the Union Army, or they just took up freedom, worked for wages on the Plantations. If they were paid. I wanted to add, this information. The main question is what did the Planter Bowman do?

30, May 1865

Me an Theo arrived home taday! We made landin at Ripley. My, as I walked down the gangway, I felt as nervous as I did at Stones River. Think Theo felt the same, as his first battle. We both stood silent lookin across that river towards home. Theo say befer home let's get some food, maybe a beer. I say want ta get home, we both have some stuff need tended ta. What few bags we have, can be sent ta Joe. Need ta find away across that blame river.

It bein after eleven, knew Joe was open. So we both knew he find us away across the river. I could tell Theo was worried, so had a sausage an a beer. My, I about cried seein Joe, think he did ta. He lent us two horses, seems a fella got my idea an put a ferry in, west side a town.

Well that one a my, after war ideas done took. When we made it ta where, we would part ways me headed towards the Old Place, Theo ta Rivers Edge. Theo looked scared, filled with fear more than I ever seen. I tell him ta come home with me, we go tagether tomorrow, an see his Da. He say no, I'll go on alone ifin Da gets his normal self come by later.

31, May 1865

Ma an Betsy, Joe's boys still sleepin. Uncle Thom out in the old cabin. Guess Theo stayed at Rivers Edge or he slept on the ground some where's. Fer what happened whens I gots home. Most thin near it would be a dream. I thought first person I'd see be Betsy or Ma, it was Uncle Thom. Of course I had ta wear my Dress Uniform home. He was ridin towards me, heard him shout Billy Blue! Then that horse went ta run! Wantin ta greet him standin not on a horse. I slid off that critter, I shouted Uncle Thom! How are ya!

He left that horse befer it even stopped, steppin along side it. Thommy boy! Damn ya sight! All cleaned up, fancy uniform an all! Why didn't ya send word? Kate a be a happy ta see ya!

Didn't think he would slow that talk down, couldn't get a word in.
None at all, my could feel the tears a wellin up. Even ifin I could a talked, I was fer a loss a what ta say. I just hugged him, all the pain an worry, ifin he hated me or felt some kinda animosity towards me; that faded a way as he wrapped his arms around me.  He say from three days, after General Lee surrendered been ridin out this way twice a day. Hopin ya be walkin or ridin towards me Thom.

Kate an Betsy, they a be real excited ta see ya! Only words I found were, Thom I didn't mean any disrespect fer ya or Poppy. Goin off ta fight fer the Union. He say Thomas weren't none taken, it near over! Ya Poppy would a loved ya no matter, just the same as I still love ya. That few minutes, it took ta ride on ta the farm were quiet.

Betsy an Ma were a doin laundry, as we a rode up think Betsy saw me first then Ma. My don't think none of us knew who ta run ta first! Nor what ta say. Just know both near knocked me down, both huggin me. No words were a spoke, just the warmth of my Betsy an Ma pouring they love ta me, an me given it back. That's when I knew I was home, both ladies I love near me holdin me.

Don't know ifin anythin was said, befer Ma say, yar a handsome fella in that uniform. Betsy smiled say, he is handsome in anythin. Betsy say, we gotta finish up this here laundry it won't do it self. Ya two men git, let us finish as she kissed me seemed like dear me twenty minutes. That gots me a bit warm, my knew I missed her lan sakes felt near over hot.

Joe's boys were out, ran ta Maysville pick up lumber. Seems Uncle Thom, replacin some board on the big barn. Don't know what's got inta him. That kinda work ain't his type. Well sounds like they wakin think maybe just step outside watch fer the sun ta come up, have a coffee take in my farm an my new start at it.