21 October 1860

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Written by Allen on the USS "Congress." Says his health and spirits are well. Reports there is no news other than "the Ball[.] I expect it will be a grand afair [sic] as the men at the head of it are the most respectable in the ship." Sends regards to individual friends and family members. Says I "hope soon to get our orders for home not that I am tired of the ship but I would like to see you all again." Says he would like to hear from his friends and in "particular the young Ladies." Postscript asks her to bundle letters as the Navy charges for each individual letter brought to the ship.…

GLC02829.03

26 April 1861

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Written by Allen on the USS "Congress." References his sister's letter of 17 March. Says there is not much to write about. Says he is in good health and is comfortable. Reports that "the ships Company intend[s] giveing [sic] a grand Ball in Phila. when the ship is paid off for the purpose of taking people to enjoy themselves[.] in fact it is all the talk aboard the ship and I hope we will have a nice time of it." Heard that "by all accounts thair [sic] is pretty hard times in the states." Sends greetings to individual family members and friends and hopes they all have ample work. Says it has…

GLC02829.04

18 November 1862

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Glad to hear that her children are in good health. Says he is not well himself, having caught a heavy cold. Has a rebel prisoner under his charge. The prisoner was taken for burning the clipper ship "Alagany" in Chesapeake Bay. He did not deny it, saying his commanding officer ordered him to do it. The POW said he was worth 26,000 dollars before the war and is now penniless with a sick wife and five small children depending on him. He "wanted to know how it was with the poor people at the North for the poor people at the South were in a very bad Condition[.] he was in hopes the war would…

GLC02829.07

24 December 1859

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Allen was a sailor on the USS "Congress." Says he has sent several letters home, but wanted to write specifically to her because he does not want to her think he has forgotten her. Sends many individual greetings to friends and family. Reports that "I am truging along the same a[s,] ever plenty to eat and nothing to do but read and sleep[;] you know I always liked to sleep after eating a hearty dinner." Says Captain Hoffman came on board to see him and was sorry he had nothing to send by him. References several other naval vessels. Sends regards to his father, who he hopes is still working…

GLC02829.01

24 August 1860

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bill and Mary Mayberry

Contains 2 letters, signed twice. Page 1 and half of page 2 is to his brother-in-law Bill and half of page 2 and page 3 is to his sister (he signed the letter on page 4). Allen is aboard the USS "Congress." Is glad to hear Bill is well and has plenty of work. Says he is healthy and has gained 20 pounds. Says he is about 60 miles down river (probably the Rio de la Plata) from Buenos Aires and that his captain came down to drill the crew. Says it is a fine place and that they go over to the "Island" every day to exercise. Says they are eating well and that every man has gained 20-30 pounds.…

GLC02829.02