24 December 1859-26 August 1864

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Header Record

Title: [Letters, including five while on U.S. gunboats off South America] [decimalized .01-.18]

Written by the Allen brothers (Union naval officers) -- Joseph H., George D., and William B. -- to their sister Mary Mayberry with letters of William Oves and Frank McIntire. GLC02829.06 mentions the USS "Monitor." The Allen family was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mary Mayberry's name was found from various references in this collection. Her last name was made Mayberry because of a line in GLC02829.02 in reference to Mary having children: "I thought you and Brother Bill had made a whole regiment by this time..." Bill is referenced in several letters in this collection, but his full name…

GLC02829

26 April 1863

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Writing to tell her he is alright, even though it is not his turn. Says he is about 10 miles from Washington, North Carolina under batteries which have caused them a great deal of trouble for the past 3-4 weeks. It was the cause of them not going to Philadelphia. Says the rebels sneaked in and built the batteries during the night and "They built them a little back from the river so that they could not be seen when they got them finished they cut the trees down in front of them." They were also built under the ground so they could not be shelled out. Says Commodore Hull ran the gauntlet of…

GLC02829.08

31 May 1863

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

References her letter of the 25th. Is sorry to hear she is in such bad health, but sends her encouraging words. Says "If you have seen me fourteen months ago you would not have given much for me as I dont believe I weighed 80 lbs. but I never mentioned it before." Claims he lived on port wine and arrow root for 3 weeks, but thanks God he is now in good health again. Says he is now 133 lbs. Says he went to shore in Washington, North Carolina where his friend Cromwell has a cousin, a major in the 178th Pennsylvania regiment. Says it is a pretty place (in contrast to his negative opinion in…

GLC02829.09

30 December 1861

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Written by Allen aboard the USS "Delaware." Says he has written to "all hands" and has not received any response. Says he will not write again if he does not get a response from her. Reports that "We had an engagement on a small scale which gave us an appetite for our breakfast[.] the enemy throwed a few schells [sic] over our boat. Joe's [his brother Joseph H. Allen] vessel layed close by but they were not concerned in it so we had it all to ourselves." Says their captain is a fine man who served as a first lieutenant on the USS "Congress." His brother Joseph served on the "Congress," and…

GLC02829.05

20 June 1862

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Written to his sister Mary. Aboard the USS "Delaware" about 60 miles from Richmond on the James River. Says they are with the USS "Monitor." Says they have left the company of the "Mosquitoe fleet" and are now with the "ironclads." Says they are eating well: chicken, mutton, veal, cherries, strawberries, plenty of fresh milk. Reports that the enslaved people of a rebel colonel named Cass sold them a young steer they stole from him for 5 dollars. Says he is getting the gout some nights when he goes to bed. Says there are sharpshooters along the banks of the James when they travel up it, but…

GLC02829.06

20 June 1863

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Says he received her letter with his mother's letter about a week ago. Says he waited to write until he finished the clothes and had them shipped by the Express Office. They were made as close to the measurements sent to him as possible. Says she will have to turn up the pant legs as he lost that measurement. Tells her about other possible alterations. Wants her to get Willie's (who he made the clothes for) picture taken and sent to him. Sends greetings to friends and family. Writes after his signature: "Everything is lovely when the mood is slightly elevated." Written while aboard the USS…

GLC02829.11

4 August 1864

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Says he received her letter of the "28th" on 3 August. Is glad their mother's health is better, but sorry to hear that "little Mary" is ill. Sends his love to Will and tells "him to keep out of the Draft as it is bad for young men." Says "I am glad you can make my letters out. I think I can write better after a while as my hand is so heavy. I am trying to learn to read also and Jack is helping me all he can[.] I wish I had of taken it in hand when I first came out." Sends further greetings to family members and closes by saying there is "no news here at present of any account." Postscript…

GLC02829.14