The Civil War Letters of Henry A. Allen
By Keith Harris
Brought to you by The Rogue Historian.
The Civil War Letters of Henry A. Allen, Captain, Company A, 9th Virginia Regiment. Allen was captured at Gettysburg on July 3rd, 1863. These are the letters written to his wife while held in Union prisons between 1863 and 1865. Allen would survive the war and later join a group of Confederate veterans known as the Immortal 600.
Henry A. Allen's private correspondence is housed at the Albert and Shirley Small
The Civil War Letters of Henry A. AllenMar 12, 2018
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Final Thoughts on the Letters of Henry A. Allen
Allen returned home and resumed his work as a brick mason, contractor, and builder and lived out the remainder of his life in Portsmouth. He died on July 7, 1912 and is buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Apr 25, 201901:39
May 6, May 16, May 23, May 26 1865
I hope this is my last letter to you while a prisoner as the news is that the order for our release is at this post how true it is I am not able to say...
Apr 24, 201906:16
April 25, April 28, May 4 1865
...we now have no possible hope for the success of our cause.
Apr 23, 201905:39
April 13, 1865
We have indeed met with sad reverses within the last three weeks but I am not as yet hopeless and still trust something good may turn up...
Jan 26, 201902:07
April 10, 1865
Since we have been here we have heard nothing but bad news this morning it is reported that Genl Lee has surrendered with his whole army bad news for our cause if true...
Jan 25, 201902:13
April 6, 1865
No doubt you have heard ere this of the evacuation of Richmond. Rather sad news but I am willing and satisfied if our authorities think it best no doubt...
Jan 24, 201901:57
April 2, 1865
Poor little Ida I can almost see her crying now...
Jan 23, 201902:29
March 22, 1865
I was much surprised to find Ida so very different from what I expected so soft and easy in her manners when I thought she would be wild and noisy as when I left her they are both sweet children and both pretty and I trust we may both live to be proud of them at a future day...
Jan 04, 201902:18
March 14, 1865
At any rate I had the pleasure of seeing my dear wife & children and feel very thankful after being separated so long it is time I had but a short time to remain with you but it was a source of great gratification to find you and the little ones in such good health...
Jan 03, 201901:49
February 14, 1865
Since I wrote you last I have been quite sick confined to my bunk for ten or twelve days. I am now getting along pretty well my eyesight gets no better I have given up reading cannot read my bible.
Jan 02, 201902:05
December 25, 1864
I know you will think of the absent me while eating the Christmas dinner I have nothing but dry bread for mine.
Dec 31, 201802:30
November 27, 1864
Ah: how I would like to see all of you if but for a few moments 2 ½ years since we parted well do I remember that day. How much longer it will be but one knows.
Dec 30, 201801:56
November 21, 1864
A good many sick & wounded are being exchanged there is some talk of our following soon doubtful I expect...
Dec 11, 201802:39
October 25, 1864
We are in very comfortable quarters although rather cool at this time for a southern clime...
Oct 03, 201801:56
October 16, 1864
There is a rumor that we will leave here shortly our destination Savannah Georgia merely rumor but do not let it stop you from answering this.
Oct 02, 201802:16
October 12, 1864
Sarah Allen's Loyalty Oath...no kidding.
Jul 19, 201801:31
September 9, 1864
Six hundred of us left Delaware on the 20th last month and landed at this place...
Jul 18, 201802:14
August 29, 1864
I have been quite sick since being here having had another attack of rush of blood to the head but I am better at this time...
Jul 17, 201801:30
August 20, 1864
I leave immediately for South Carolina whence ‘tis thought we will be exchanged...
Jul 16, 201801:05
August 18, 1864
How are my little darlings tell them I look at them every day and wish I could see them...
Jun 29, 201801:51
August 12, 1864
Dear Sarah I expect we are again to change our prison home as we have a rumor here that some of us will leave tomorrow for Charleston SC...
Jun 28, 201802:01
August 10, 1864
Dear Sarah try and arrange it with some of my friends so as to send me something I do not care what it is...
May 01, 201801:37
August 4, 1864
None of my Portsmouth friends answer my letters regularly...
Apr 30, 201801:58
August 2, 1864
I have often thought if he has forgotten who buried his poor mother when the yellow fever was there in 55 and he, dutiful son, had left the place...
Apr 27, 201801:54
July 29, 1864
Would to the Lord it was in my power to assist you how much better could I bear my imprisonment if I could only know you and my dear children could have what you wished...
Apr 26, 201801:48
July 19, 1864
Mr. Handy is here with us and has been here for twelve months he looks quite venerable with his hair as long as a lady’s flowing down his back...
Apr 25, 201802:16
July 8, 1864
It is not pleasant to be engaged in battle but I would ten times rather take chances charging a battery of artillery than remain here...
Apr 24, 201801:55
July 6, 1864
Lucky I am not...
Apr 23, 201801:45
June 26, 1864
You will form the above see that I am again at my former prison
Apr 20, 201801:42
June 22, 1864
It is highly possible we will leave this place when I do not know but it is supposed very soon as they seem to be making preparations to take us somewhere...
Apr 19, 201802:07
June 20, 1864
If I only had the material I would have some necklaces made...
Apr 18, 201801:56
June 14, 1864
You say you are quite thin and not as large as when I left home. I should judge from the picture that you were larger by thirty pounds...
Apr 17, 201802:16
June 12, 1864
The shirts you sent me came in box also, for which I thank you kindly they fit well I have one on at this time...
Apr 16, 201802:06
June 3, 1864
It was indeed a pleasure to look upon the faces of the dear loved ones not seen for so long a time...
Apr 13, 201802:01
June 1, 1864
Dear Sarah the pleasure it gives me to hear from you all and to know you are all enjoying the blessing of health...
Apr 12, 201802:24
May 22, 1864
As you say many a loving heart has been made sad many a fond wife will wait anxiously for the dear one who will never return, many the dear little ones who will be left father[le]ss by this civil war...
Apr 11, 201802:05
May 21, 1864
Brother has been transferred to another Battery, and I am sorry to say has been badly wounded and had to have his leg taken off...
Apr 10, 201802:31
May 12, 1864
I am truly glad to hear that Aunt Mary is getting better and trust she will regain her former good health...
Apr 09, 201801:58
May 5, 1864
Do you suppose I would much rather have the pleasure of looking at the faces of my dear wife & children than to have money when so many chances are against my ever seeing their dear faces again God only knows whether I shall ever be allowed that pleasure again...
Apr 06, 201802:39
April 15, 1864
Almost every letter conveys to me the intelligence of the death of some of our Portsmouth folks. it pains me much to hear of so much sickness there.
Apr 05, 201801:35
April 10, 1864
I was again pained to learn that the hand of death had visited Mollie’s family they have indeed been sorely afflicted Mother and Brother taken from them in so short a time...
Apr 04, 201802:10
April 2, 1864
Would that I could come to you all never to be parted again, but rather than come as some have I would sooner die and I know you feel as I do on that subject.
Apr 03, 201801:44
March 29, 1864
If I should be so fortunate as to be exchanged I hardly think I would be allowed time to send for you as it is very likely I should have to go to the army although it would be a great pleasure to see you all...
Apr 02, 201801:41
March 25, 1864
We moved last Tuesday evening and had a heavy snow storm that night which was not very comfortable. it is now raining and will end with quite a storm I think...
Mar 30, 201801:30
March 19, 1864
Three lots of officers and men have left here to be exchanged the last left on Thursday. I hope to be among the next...
Mar 29, 201801:51
March 8, 1864
I was very sorry to hear of the imprisonment of Mr. Bain & Uncle Joe...
Mar 28, 201802:14
March 1, 1864
May God in his infinite mercy bless my dear ones at home and spare us all to meet again...
Mar 27, 201802:07
February 23, 1864
I have been waiting very patiently for an answer to my letter and I assure you it was a source of much pleasure to me to get a letter from you...
Mar 26, 201801:46
February 14, 1864
You will no doubt as this reaches you have heard of the removal of some officers from Johnsons Island to this place...
Mar 23, 201801:43
February 3, 1864
I am sorry to learn that the small pox is in Portsmouth you must be careful with the children and do not let them run out...
Mar 22, 201801:23