Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865 to Mary Mayberry
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02829.07 Author/Creator: Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865 Place Written: Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 November 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20 cm, Width: 12.9 cm Order a Copy
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 soon end as he was tired of it." Reports that a man made it to their ship who claims to have escaped from a Richmond prison. The man had cancer eating the side of his face, which had reached the bone. That man claimed he built the "Merrimac No. 2" and that it has 7 inch armor. The doctor "dressed his cancer" and let him go. Suspects the man was a spy. Sends regards to friends and family and says he saw his brother George who was well and "fat as a pig." Written while aboard the USS "New Ironsides".
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