Thomas Wright's Diary

Ohio

Thomas and Betsy's time at Leonard's Farm, Clermontville Ohio, early September 1865.

7, September 1865

Been busy, much like the work a buildin that Fort durin the War.
Not much time ta write, tomorrow Leonard is havin a big get tagether. All the families around be comin over ta dance eat, maybe even play base ball. All the ladies be makin somethin ta eat, unmarried fellas will be brinin some kinda whisky or beer ta have. Leonard say he does these, about three times a summer.

This year it's the only one he had, bein behind on the plantin an the work ta get the farm caught up, just did not have the time.
I asked Leonard ifin I could invite Philotis over, he say ya do that want ta meet him. Besides he knows what kinda fool Officer ya was. Then he smiled an winked at me. Extra special evenin me an Betsy be gettin real married not legal like, but fer her in the eyes a God. The Reverend across from the Farm will do it, fer us Betsy is a might happy.

The Old Place, well met with the fellas back late July in Higginsport about half way ta Ripley. Theo an Joe, Uncle Thom an the boys stayed at the Old Place. Bowman been watchin an askin about us an the Farm. Ma told him, I was away on business fer the Farm. We weren't sellin, an he was not welcome on the land nor the Sheriff. Theo an Uncle Thom put up signs statin the fact it were private property. Uncle Thom told him any man step foot on the property that were a part of Rivers Edge they be shot! Ifin he Bowman came he best come durin the day holding a white flag.

Some of the corn a caught fire, lost maybe three acres of that. Theo an Thom both think it was Bowman, not certain though did have few lightinin strikes around with out rain. My thinkin is Bowman done it, they set fire near twenty acres tobacco. It got just a little out a hand, it jumped over ta some corn. Theo thinks his Da lost near twenty a corn. May be more, seems Bowman got hit some in the pocket. Seems Uncle Thom got a might carried away with the coal oil. Well, ya get him out ta raise hell an take on the enemy, best expect more damage than ya think.

Joe say, few from Ohio that knows me, are ready ta help it gets out a hand. Old 60th members out a Company K are willin ta come over an take on Bowman. Theo say few pot shots been fired not come close ta hits, just let us know they is a watchin us. Theo say the Union Army has stepped up patrols around the farm, they don't need a small war a breakin out. I wanted ta get home, they convinced me ta stay put till at least October. I agreed only ta stay that long, dependin on ifin Bowman got more aggressive. 

Bowman a be gettin more worried, ifin our plan works. He may come at us hard. I need ta be home fer that. Rather late, nope those stars, still have no wonder ta them.

9, September 1865

Yesterday, was grand! Betsy who now wants ta be called Beth. She say new start Thom, I just want the slave name gone from my life. So we was married right proper, by her new name. My the folks were great took ta the marriage like it weren't a thin. Beth wore a nice pale blue dress, I wore my dress uniform. I even tried that base ball out! Weren't much good at it, but lan sakes it was fun!

Leonard played his fiddle few other fellas brought they banjo's an a harmonica along. We danced just one good time fer all. Philotis came, him an Leonard hit it off just fine. Reverend say we could go ta Church wouldn't be a problem with that. Beth went I still feel no need fer it. I long fer the Old Place, bein away is like still bein at war. Guess in a way we are at war still. Like how they all pitch in ta get thins done. Not like home, guess just ta many slave owners close ta lend help ta each other. Days are long, but worth it
work does ya good, tends the mind an ya soul. One day it be normal again, may takes a while. Well I be done, my body aches a touch. Best rest some.

15, September 1865

Leonard don't really pay me, gives a dollar a week, gets food fer free an a place ta live. He gave us five dollars ta go ta town New Richmond, ta have some fun. Say that is what he an Sara wanted.
It got us a supper an we spent the day, walkin around town the town band played some durin the day. We met Philotis an his wife Mary, we played ten pins an had couple beers at Mont's Saloon.

Wagon ride back was a bit rough, decided it wanted ta rain some.
The climb up the hill ta Leonard's place was, a bit of a tight grip an fright. Wagon slid all over it's way up. Just happy we wasn't goin down hill, talk about a ride. Gots back just after dark, we sat outside a spell just relaxin. Beth wants ta head home, tell her  help get this harvest in. Leonard is up next, help him some. We a go on home. About time ta get home, face that Bowman an put him in his place. We had a little wine that we got in town, little vineyard outside town. Don't know ifin it is good or not, we liked it guess that is all that matters. Well it's time ta sleep.

28, September 1865

Managed ta help Leonard some, with his harvest. He looked at me taday say, Thom think be fine ya Beth head on home. He hugged me we shook hands. Say ya get home, an take care that farm an those people ya want ta help. Ya done nough here, ya need me no matter what it is, ta fight or help ya with somethin ya send fer me.

Strange Philotis say the same thin, did not tell Philotis why I was in Ohio. Think maybe Leonard told him what was goin on. They both know I'd do the same fer thum. Me an Beth packed what few thins we had in the wagon, we leave in the mornin.

29, September 1865

We gots ta Ripley late, the ferry stops at dark. We went a little west outside town.  Set up camp off the road, Beth fixed some salt pork an eggs, we had with us fer supper. Finished off that wine. My the wagon ride, will tucker ya out damn feel it all over. Blame Army made me old befer my time. My it take some time, I guess ta feel like my normal self. One good thin don't look like rain, we gots no way ta keep from gettin wet an muddy. Just under the wagon, rather sleep off the ground than on it. Had ta do that ta much past few years. Well best put this candle out get some sleep.

Think that ends this chapter.

You learned how Betsy became Beth. Was it the reason you thought?

Still that question as to why Thomas didn't talk of the war.
What happened that made him so secretive about his and Beth's life.

Bowman is still open as what he may have done.

I thank you for the support you have given me. The wait between updates. I am sorry for that. Life has been a bit crazy for me. Thanks again vote comment if you wish to.
Dram12 AKA Tim.