Person:John Tidwell (8)

[Tidwell.FTW]

Confederate Veteran of Dickson Co. Tennessee

                                   John B. Tidwell 

                                Contributed by Jana Johns

John B. Tidwell writes:

    I was born the 22nd day of August in 1829, in Dickson Co., Tn. Was raised on a farm and for two or three
    years was a stock drover, driving stock down into the Mississippi before there was any railroads in that
    country. Was married on the 24th of February, 1853 to Miss Winnie Richardson who is still living. I then
    farmed until the time I went in the Confederate Army which was in the fall of 1861; was mustered into the
    service at Ft. Donaldson on the Cumberland River. I was a member of Co. D., 49th Tn. Captain Coden
    Commanding. Was taken sick before the fall of Ft. Donaldson and was in the hospital at Clarksville, Tn. and
    escaped capture. I was sent from there to Nashville, put in the hospital and from there was taken home. I
    stayed till I got well, joined Napier's Cavalry and stayed with them until my command was exchanged at
    Vicksburg. I then went back to my old command and stayed with the army till the war was closed. Was in
    the Kenesaw campaign back into Georgia to Jonesboro, was in the three days engagement around Atlanta,
    Ga., on the 20th, 22nd, and 23, of July 1864. We were then taken back to Nashville, Tn. and was in the
    fight at Franklin, Tn. I was in the engagements around Nashville. After the war I came home and was
    elected Magistrate and served eleven years. I then moved to west Tn. and from there I moved to Missouri
    and lived there one year, from there to Arkansas and lived there one year. In the fall of that year I moved to
    Bentonville, Ark. and in February following I sold out all my traveling outfit and moved to Hillsboro, Texas,
    arriving there in 1884; bought in Whitney in Hill county and lived there till the fall of 1887, moved back to
    Ark. up in the country where they did not know that the war was over. Sold out that fall, came back to
    Texas where I left, lived there two years and moved to Paluxy, rented Uncle John Meek's place, lived there
    five years. I bought out J.H. Brewington, known as the Pate place, and have been there ever since. I am still
    at said place in good health and am thankful to my Maker for it. I am a Mason, was made one in 1851 in
    Charlotte Lodge, No. 97, Tn. I am a member of the Christian Church. 

This article, from an unknown publication, was found in a trunk.

Silas Tidwell Letter

                         Written to John Benton Tidwell

                                Contributed by Jana Johns

    The following letter was written by Silas Tidwell to his son John Benton Tidwell at the close of the
    Civil War. It was in possession of a granddaughter of John Benton and Winnie (Richardson) Tidwell
    and daughter of Missour K. (Tidwell) Harlan. This granddaughter is 95 years old, still in good health
    and lives in Oklahoma in the year 1996. 

    December 3, 1865 
    Dear Son: I drop you a few linds (lines) to inform you that we are all well at present and hoping when these
    few linds (lines) comes to hand they may find you enjoying the same blessings. Your folks are all well and
    getting along very well. We received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I have not sold your mair
    (mare) yet. We kild (killed) your hogs in a few days after you started and the 6 weighed 940 lbs. We put up
    the 4 that you wanted put up and they are a mending fine. They will be ready to kill in a few days. I have
    nothing of much inportance to write to you at present more than the connection is all well. We received a
    letter from Benja (Benjamin) and he was well and well satisfyed (satisfied) also and said that they sot (sat)
    back in their houses like they was a going to stay thar (there) always and would be glad if you was thar
    (there) with him. As I wrote to you about your mair (mare) I have took your mule colt and am a taking care
    of it. You must excuse me for not writing sooner but I expected you home every day from what I heard. As
    I wrote to you that the connection was all well. What them that was sick are on the mend. I must come to a
    colose (close) by giving my respect to all of the boys and reserve a share for yourself. 

    Respecively (Respectfully), yours, Silas Tidwell 

This letter was written close to the end of the Civil War from Silas Tidwell to his son John Benton Tidwell who was serving in the Confederate Army at the time.

1. ↑ Janna Johns.
2. ↑ Tidwell.FTW.

   Date of Import: Jun 18, 1999