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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02829.06 |
| From Archive Folder | Letters of the Allen Family, including five while on U.S. gunboats off South America |
| Title | George D. Allen to Mary Mayberry about their ship accompanying the Monitor, good food, sharpshooters on the river and requests photographs |
| Date | 20 June 1862 |
| Author | Allen, George D. (fl. 1859-1864) |
| Recipient | Mayberry, Mary |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | 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 slaves 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 tells her not to be afraid "for I am sharper than the shooters." Says no one has been hurt yet. Sends regards to many of his individual family and friends. Postscript says the Rebels came down to where the fleet was anchored at City Point and poured artillery into them for 15 minutes. Says the "Galena" got as close to the shore as she could, while the "Delaware" followed her. Infantry then fired on the ships from the shore, but they were scared off with grape shot. Asks for her to send their mother and father's photographs. Says he will pay for them. |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Union Forces Navy Soldier's Letter Union Soldier's Letter Ironclad Diet and Nutrition Military Provisions Confederate States of America Slavery Finance Health and Medical Artillery Infantry Weaponry Photography |
| Place written | Aboard USS Delaware 60 miles from Richmond, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Naval & Maritime; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Sister |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | USS Delaware |