Notes:
Letter from Thomas Christmas O'Mary to his wife,
Elizabeth Arnold O'Mary and to his father-in-law
& mother-in-law, John Thomas Arnold & Elizabeth Portwoodand to his two sisters-in-law,
Virginia & Catherine Arnold all of Carroll County, Georgia. Thomas is in
the Georgia 56th regiment.
Letter:
Camp above Vicksburg
April 24th 1863
Dear wife
I seat my self to let you know that I am wel hoping those lines may find you
all enjoying the same blessing. They was a yankey fleete of about 12 some boats
went down. we crippled some of them and burnt one and sunk one. some few of our
men was killed and wounded. yesterday and day before they shelled the city from
the other side the river. our regt. has not returned yet and I dont know where
they wil. I want to see you and the children verry bad. that love that binds us
to gether never can fail in this life. I hope the time wil come when we may
meet to part nevermore until death parts us. times is hard here. every thing is
mity hy. I dont to know how long we wil have to stay here. their is some talke
of going back to Tenn. I hope it is so. I wil send susan a ring that I have
made. I wil send buddy and georgia something as soon as I can. I love them all.
they are the precious jewel of this world. I want you to instruct them all you
can I want you to rite every week nite all the news and date your letters. it
is the most pleasure I see when I get letters to read. rite how your corn and
meat is holding out. let me know how all of your stock and your farm and
everything is prospering. I know you see a heap of trouble but dont be ____
_____. take your part til I come. if you are imposed upon let me know it. I
want you to go to meeting as often as you can. I hardly ever hear a sermon
preached. remember me in your prears. tho I am in a distant land I am as near
the Lord as I would be at home. I must close. if we meets no more in this earth
I hope we may meets above where their is no troubles and no wars.
I remain your kind and affectionate husband until death.
T.C. Omary
Dear father and mother
a few words to you. I am in better health than I have enjoyed in along time. I
hope those lines may find you all wel. I have but little to rite. times are
verry hard here tho we get enough to eat to makeout on tolerable wel. I want
you all to rite to me. I want you all to do the best you can. mother I dont
want you to forget me. I want you to remember me in your prears. I hope we may
all be faithful. I have enemys but they cant hurt me. we are commanded not to
fear them that can only kill the body but can destroy both soul and boddy in
torment. I must close. rite all the news.
nothing more only I remain your soninlaw until death.
T.C. Omary
Dear sisters
I wil rite you a few lines to let you know that I am wel hoping those lines may
find you both wel. I hant much to rite. I want to see you verry bad. I hope you
will rite to me often. I cant tel you much about the boys. the most of them has
ben gon nearly 2 weeks. when the boats went down the other knight you never have
herd Cannons roar like they did here. their was a turtle caught here on the byo
last sundy that was sold for $15. tel bud and Jack I want to see them. linea I
want you and babe to do the best you can for we hant always to live.
nothing more only your brother inlaw until death
T.C. Omary
to Virginia & Catherine Arnold
