Submitted by Janna Harlan Johns, Great-Granddaughter

John Benton Tidwell wrote:

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 was a newspaper article I found in my parents’ trunk.

The following letter was written by Silas Tidwell to his son John Benton Tidwell, who was serving in the Confederate Army, close to the end of the Civil War. It was in the possession of Maggie Harlan Ewing, granddaughter of John Benton and Winnie (Richardson) Tidwell and daughter of Missouri K. (Tidwell) Harlan. Maggie Ewing is 95 years old, still in good health and lives in Oklahoma. - Janna Harlan Johns

December 3, 186?

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

John Benton Tidwell was born August 22, 1829 and passed away February 1, 1916. Winnie Richardson Tidwell was born December 30, 1832 and passed away April 10, 1919. They were buried next to each other in Rock Church Cemetery in Hood County, Texas.

~ Web Page by Virginia Hale ~

Submitted by Janna Harlan Johns, Great-Granddaughter

2002 HOOD COUNTY TEXAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY