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.
Letters:
Rediville, Tennessee
December 18th 1862
Dear wife
I am well as common hopeing these lines may find you all enjoying the same
blessing. I have nothing much to communicate to you. We are expecting to leave
this place in a short time. I don't no wheir we will go. There is a talk of our
going to Mississippi. I would be glad to go there - it is mighty cold here. We
can't keep warn. I have a notion of drawing a blanket. We get verry cold
standing gard these knights _____ _____ _____ _____ for duty and gard duty is
heavy as we have to stand mity often. I want to see you and the children verry
bad. I have not received a letter from you since I left home. I want to hear
how you are getting along. I want to no whether you got the $30 I sent by
Daniel Jones or not. We heard here that their was a Union flag raised in
Wedowee and a talk of one in Bowdon. I want to no if it is so. Some men here is
wanting to go home verry bad. Our regt. has not been paid off yet. We had to
give up poor Huggins. He died last Sabbath morning. He lived about 46 hours
after he was taken. We regret the loss of him. He is buried about 2 1/2 miles
from Reidiville. I hope the Lord will bring about the means to settle this war
in a short time. I hop all Christain people will pray for it. Tell your mother
and Pap and the children to rite to me. Give them all my respects. John is well. We heard the Foster did not move after
the wagon came after him. I want the court to appoint John
Richards guardian for him. I think then he will stay in Carroll and do well.
Rite all the news. I would like to eat dinner with you Christmas Day. It be a
happy time to eat with you and the children. You and them feels near to me.
Remember me in your prayers. I must close for today.
Nothing more only your nearest friend until death.
Thomas C. Omary
December 19th 1862
I think we are shore to leave here in a day or two. I hope we will get to come
home as we pass Newnan. I want to leave here. The country is so cold. The
citizens say we haven't seen anything yet to what we will see. Colonel Curtis
left here today. He has got his regt. in our division. I think his regt. leaves
tomorrow. I think we ought to gard Atlanta. Jeff Davis was Murfreesboro last
week. Curtis saw him. I hear now that we will get 4 days furlow when we get to
Atlanta. I hope I shall see you again shortly. I have some hope of getting home
to make a crop yet. The boys is in hy spirits now. I have not heard such a yell
in camp as was last knight in a long time. Tell Lenia and Babe to make me a
large cake if I come. Tell Dock and Bud to ketch me a mess of birds. I must get
wood now. It is near knight.
December 20th 1862
I read you kind letter last knight. I was glad to hear from you but sorry to
hear that Buddy was not well and that you had no
one to live with you. I am glad to hear that your stock is doing well. WE have
to leave here this morning to get to railroad at Murfreesboro to leave this
country. The cows I bought for you I think you will need them or at least I
don't and the children traids. a man can have a better chance to buy cows than
a woman. I may be at home in a few days. If I can, I will attend to it. I must
close. Times I have to prepare for marching.
Nothing more except I remain your husband until death.
T. C. Omary