A Civil War Letter

[Fredda Davis Jones]

M.E. "Boss" Greene would eventually become a U.S. Deputy Marshall who lived in Comanche, Texas; however, when he wrote to his sister in on October 7, 1863, he was just another wounded Confederate soldier. His letter gives us another clue as to the suffering endured by so many during this crazy, crazy war.

“…But I have to state to you that I am wounded though I think I am doing tolerable well…I am wounded in both of my legs. I can’t git out of my bed. The (something ending in “itis”) is in my left leg. I suffer very much pain.

“I got to Rome GA on the 4^th of this [Oct.]. I was wounded on the 19^thof September…I lay in the woods 15 days. I never had no attention at all. When I got here I was nearly dead. I never got nothing to eat barely at all. I have suffered death a hundred times. But I hope by good attention I will get well.

“My dear sister I can’t begin to tell my suffering. I am happy to say to you that Frank come through safe. [Goes on to tell her who was killed or wounded]It was a terrible fight and it is reported that they are fighting at Chattanooga. I expect they will have a bad time yet before they stop.

“I am all the one from my company at this place and I feel very alone…We don’t get nothing hardly to eat but while I was on the battlefield I never got nothing scarcely at all and it liked to killed me coming on the train. But I thank God that it ain’t no worse with me. I think if nothing happens I will git furlough when I git able to travel. But I can’t tell when that will be for I can’t turn myself in my bed.

“But I am happy to say to you that I have got a very fine Dr. There is a heape of more wounded here. I want to see you the worst sort. It seems to me if I was with you so you could doctor my wounds. I am wounded in both legs and you know that is worse than if it was one. Don’t think both legs is broke but my right leg bone is broke and the left leg is [can’t read].

“Can’t move my legs with out help just when I can get some buddy to move them for me and if not then just have to stay that way. So I can’t tell you all my troubles & trials & sufferings. In a week no tongue can tell what I have to suffer.

“You will please answer this. Your most obedient brother M.R. Green”

Boss also enclosed a short note to his mother at the same time. And for the first time, I see a chink because I have always understood that the Greene family spelled their name such; however, Boss certainly left off the final E in both letters, simply spelling it Green.

I did not really attempt to use the exact spelling that he used, only when it was convenient. I also divided the letter into paragraphs; Boss did not. I will say that for the times, he actually did a pretty good job with spelling, etc.

And just in case you wonder who ties into the Greene family today, off-hand I can think of Bobbie and Stewart Caffey, David Goodson, and Marshall Pyburn.

 

Boss Greene chased outlaw Joe Horner in 1876 and was murdered in 1877 by the Bailey brothers. Read more: http://www.texansunited.com/blog/category/texas-heritage/latest-posts/

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Ron, that is so interesting! Because the James brothers were bigger than life in their own time, they got credit for things they just could not have done. On the link with this letter, there is an article about Boss Greene and Joe Horner. Horner robbed a bank here in town, and witnesses said he ran out of the bank claiming to be the James bunch.

I think it is in our museum that we have a letter written by Jessie stating that he was here when he was given credit for a robbery somewhere else. :)

[Fredda Davis Jones]

And yes, Ron, I agree about the war. Those men served just as surely as do our vets today, and right or wrong, I honor the service they gave when their "country" called. I can blame those that pulled the strings and pushed the buttons but not those who pulled the triggers. SO SAD!!

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

We had so many good men on both sides!  I was asked because I live in the South and was raised here what side I would have faught on! I said the Blue side because no man had a right to devide a country that was joined by GOD! We are one nation under GOD and may no man try to take us under! Honor the past so we will not make the same mistakes in the future!

 

[Fredda Davis Jones]

You know, I'd like to think I would have done the same thing, but I honestly don't know. Of course, the worst thing possible would have been to divide the country, but to actually take up arms agains friends and family would have been so horrible.

I guess I'm just very thankful that I can study it without having to have been a part of it.

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

I agree I pray we never have to make that choice!

[Terry Boniface (Malpaso)]

Great story, thank you.

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Thanks, Terry. I was very fortunate to find it!