The Black Thorns

Dear Family, The first year has past now, and thank God I'm no casualty to this rotten war (dang First Sergeant Cobb must be rubbing off on me). Many people have died or sent home due to injury and everyone acts like I should care, if it's not me left to the hogs in the forests and fields I'm fine. I look forward to the day I can come home and see your faces.

Diary entry, (August 31, 1864) McClellan has been nominated to run for the Democrats. He's promising to end the war and leave the Reb's alone, and hear I was thinking he was just an overly cautious general. Diary entry, (November 8, 1864) Lincoln won the election 212 electoral votes to McClellan's 21. If that's not a landslide victory I don't know what is, but it looks like I've gotta keep fighting this war.

Dear Mildred, The war is almost over. We are closing in. Rarely have the Confederates ever been on the offensive. I am joyful and hopeful, Mildred, for I know that Uncle and the others are close. Currently, I am deep down in South Carolina , yes, that is how far we have pushed them back. This conflict will not prolong. After a decisive thrashing of the rebels at Saylor's Creek, we have taken 6000 and 8 generals. Lee managed to escape with a small amount of men, maybe 30000. Our armies in total are 125 thousand strong. My division is pushing strongly into Lee's right flank, which is weakening. I hear white folk talking about taking it easy now. The war is almost over, but I will still fight my hardest until I fall by the last bullet of war. Please understand that I will do anything for uncle and the others. Meanwhile, I would like to thank Lincoln, what a great man he is! Why the rebels not given up yet, I do not know. Emancipation is at our fingertips. We all live t

Dear, Kathryn  My English has been gettin better, and so has da civil war  I’ve been feelin better, with more food. But as da war is dissolving into its ends, it feels like the tearible memorys of flashbacks take over my sleep and dreams, turning it into nightmares. But I am glad to say, the Union has prettty much won. April 2, 1865, my brothers and I taken over Richmond and made the city fallen. Later on, as what I’ve heard our final battle was at Saylor’s Creek. Da union outnumbered General Lee.  General Grant and Lee should meet up in a few days, by the time you recivee this letter, The meetin might have possibly passed.  The war is dying, but I’m glad it is. For I got no words, I’m flooded with shock but let our chained brother be free. Your husband, (Private) Wilson. 

This war began in 1861, 4 years past Now in 1865, more has come than I ever could have asked Through Bull run, antietam, gettysburg, Sherman's march, and so much more The finish has finally come for this dreadful long war I led a regiment, fought hard, and finished on a high I went beyond, I pushed myself and I dared to defy I am not perfect and yes I am somewhat flawed This victory belongs not to me, but to my brothers and to God And after all this time The bells of freedom have begun to ring and chime For it was my brothers and my people that I set out to defend And with my work, this war  will now end I am ever grateful to my regiment and my crew Now i will return to Amy and Father Alred too

To Break the South We continue on We leave behind a trail Of splintered homes The women & children hide behind the burning fires Men glare and stare at the horizon Looking for grey But they are alone, defenseless Salvation is distant We plunder through, leaving behind our wake of destruction A rift through Georgia But why do we care for they are not broken? They continue on so we shut them down Their morale will prevail  Tenacious, they are  Their boldness infuriates me Why won't they break? I feel no shame They broke my brothers Vengeance is mine I let it all out They soon want no more They will drop their last glimmer of hope