Notes:
Letter from Thomas Christmas O'Mary to his wife,
Elizabeth Arnold O'Mary of Carroll County,
Georgia. Thomas is in the Georgia 56th regiment.
Letter:
April 1864
Dear wife
I will try to rite you a few lines to let you no that I am not wel. I have been
sick 4 or 5 days. I hope these lines may find you all wel. The regt. is gone up
toward out breast works. We understand that there was a little fight above.
This morning I herd considerable firing. Fighting is expected here. We are
ordered to keep 2 days rations cooked all the time til further orders. John is gone. I don't no whether he will get to come
back to nite now or not. The regt. has worked on breastworks for the last 3
days. Times are uncertain here now. I recd your letter and was glad to hear
that you was all well as what you was. I was glad to hear that you & Tommy
was getting along so wel with your crop. You said you would be glad I could be
there to eat mustard & eggs. You don't no how glad it would be. It would be
a happy time. Tel the children I would like to see that nice dog. I want it to
get large enough to fetch in a rabbit. Tel Betty I wil take the best care of John that I can. Tel her I want to see her very bad.
We have great revivals here. There was a large number baptised last Sunday in
the army also. I think 21 is sentenced to be shot on Wednesday next.
I feel some better this morning. The regt. has gone off to work again this
morning. John is wel, but no time to rite now.
You said something about coming to see me if I did not get to come home. I
would be glad to see you but I don't no what may take place between now and
that time. I hope I may be at home before that time. Tel Babe, Tommy, Bud and
all the rest of them that I haven't forgotten them and tel Babe to be a good
girl and do rite. Tel Mother I will do the best I can. Tel Pap not to take
trouble to heart more than he can help for we won't live amongst hell always.
Death is abroad in the land. Elizabeth, I want to see you and the children and
talk with you. I could tell you a heap of things that i can't undertake to
rite. We are in a land of trouble and of sorrow. I hope we may soon meet in
peace. I wish I could be at home when I am sick. You could wait on me better
than anybody else. I love to hear from you. Rite every chance. Rite what you
have to give _________ and whether you are going to send Susan to school or
not. I want to no what the people thinks of the war there. I must close. Pray
for this _____ thy ______.
I've remain your loving and affectionate husband until death
Thos. C. Omary
Remember your friend that _____ on ______ ______ ______ is rite you a few bad
spelt lines.