Copyright 1998, Scott McKay
Camp Texas, July the 24th/62 Camp Nelson Arkansas
Dear Parents
Your kind favor of the 7th of July came to hand today. I was very glad to hear from you all. You can not imagine the pleasure it gave me although it brought me the sad news of the death of my Grand Mother for it was the fist lines that I have received since I left you on the 11th of April. I had been long looking for a letter but I looked in vain. I was certain that you had written but they was miscarried. I was very uneasy for I had been dreaming about you all and I almost knew that some one was dead I was telling some of my Mess mates about it a few days ago and you know that any one that dreams that way and believes in them can not help being troubled at times. I had heard that James Gray had joined Carters Regiment - also Edward Mullins and John Evans. I wrote to you about two weeks ago when I had the measels but the Dr wont let me go on duty. It looks disheartening to look at our Regiment now; when we first arrived here we had 384 men able for duty and now we have 200 and half of them is not able to go ten miles on a force march. Great many of our boys have died and I fear a great many more will die before we get away from here.
Two of the boys of our Company have died lately, James H. Hurst of Grimes County and William H. H. Howard of same place. Howard was one that was arrested at Virginia Point. He died last night and I fear that one of my Mess mates will never get well; it is John McFarlin; he has relapsed with the Measels and is very low. I think we will be likely to remain here until about the first of September until the boys regain their health. You will hear from my other letter that we did not get in any fight on White River. I believe I have no news of importance to write to you. We get no news only War news and that is not relyable often for it is now contradicted about McClennon and his army being taken after being Affirmed so often. I am very tired of Arkansas and want to get out of it very much for it is no place for Texians I assure you; and if could have my way a few days I would be very apt to get out of it. It is thought that we will go to Missouri from here and if so there will be our Winter quarters. Clothing is very scarce here as well as provisions and money and everything else that a soldier needs; it is true we volunteered but we are treated like regulars if not worse. We are the only troops that have not received their Pay or at least the larger portion of it at least. And we have got none since we left Camp Brazos. General Hindman says that he is going to get our money for us soon and I hope he will for we need it. Direct your letters to Little Rock Arkansas Care of Captn Kennard Col Nelsons' Regiment. Give my love to all and except a due portion for yourself so no news more at present
I remain your affectionate Son
George W. Allen
[Charlene Plumly Pollard - Southwestern Historical Quarterly - Volume 83, Number 1 - July 1979, page 48-49]
Camp Near Austin, Arkansas
August the 25th/62 Camp Nelson Arkansas
Dear Parents
Your favor of the 3d of Aug came to hand in due time but have neglected to reply until now. I would have answered it immediately but I was quite sick when it came to hand and I did not want to write until I got well. I had a severe attack of the Intermittent fever but I am some well at the time. I was left near Little Rock until yesterday I got up to the Regt. I was taken the next day after I saw Jas. Gray. I suppose he is at home before this time. There is no news of importance That I have heard only Our forces has taken St Lewis. We will start to Missouri before long but we don't know exactly what time. I was the intention to start the first of Sept but we cant get off by that time. We have lost nine of our men since we returned from White River. Two of my Mess mates the McFarlin boys are both dead. You must excuse this Paper as it is all that I could get and It at 6 cents per quire. Paper is quite scarce at any price but I will get enough of some kind to write to you occasionally. Postage Stamps is as scarce as paper. I will pay postage when I can get the stamps. I want you to write to me often and dont wait for me to write; tell Jas. Gray Aunt Marg and Claiborn to write me often. Direct to Little Rock and they will be forwarded to me. I recon I will be back some time before [between] now and next Spring if the Yankeys dont get the upper hand of us in some way. The health of the Regt is better than when I wrote to you before. General Hindman has been superseded. General Holms is our Gen now. He told Col. Nelson that he had to feed us better and that he would get us some clothing and get all the Pay that is due us. I cant think of any thing else to write. Write to me soon. Give my love to all. So no more at present.
I remain Yours truly
G. W. Allen
[Charlene Plumly Pollard - Southwestern Historical Quarterly - Volume 83, Number 1 - July 1979, page 50-51]
Camp at Arkansas Post
Nov the 30th/62 Camp Nelson Arkansas
Dear Mother
I seat myself again this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still well and hope that this may find you enjoying the same blessing. We are now at Arkansas Post on the Arkansas River about 100 miles below Little Rock. We marched from Camp Nelson to Little Rock and there got on Boats and came here. We were four days on the boats. Our boat was the first to land here; there was four or so Regt on each. Gen. McCulloch said he sent our Brigade because he had more confidence in us than any that he had under his Command and Gen [H]olms said the same. He praised our Regt very much and said we was the best drilled and best disciplined Regt in the Western Army which was saying a heap for us; he also said that if there was a fight We Should be in it first. I do not know how long we will remain here. The Yankeys are supposed to be advancing up the River but they may turn back and if so We will remove to some other Point. We are only about 20 miles from the Mississippe River. We have not got our Clothing yet we are looking for them every day; our Orderly has gone to meet the waggon to bring them to us but we dont know when we will get them. We are needing them very much. I heard from Wm Gates a few days ago; he had been quite sick with Phnemonia. Mr. Ritley is still unwell and at the Hospital. I have not received but one letter from you in three months or more. You must write often. Direct your letters to Little Rock and they will be forwarded to me; as I have no news of importance I will have to close so no more at present. Give my love to all and except a due portion for yourself
I remain your son until death
G. W. Allen
[Charlene Plumly Pollard - Southwestern Historical Quarterly - Volume 83, Number 1 - July 1979, page 51-52]
Notes
Pvt. George W. Allen - Age 19 upon enlistment with Co. A, 10th Texas Infantry, he was enlisted at Anderson County, Texas, on October 12, 1861. Born in Washington County, Texas, on May 31, 1842, the town of Washington was his home when the war broke out.
Pvt. Allen was captured at Arkansas Post, Arkansas, on January 11, 1863; he arrived at Camp Douglas Prison on January 29th. Pvt. Allen was paroled from prison for exchange on April 1, 1863; he was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, six days later.
Pvt. Allen was at home on Sick Furlough when Vicksburg fell; he was ordered to Houston, and on October 6th, 1863, Pvt. Allen "being unfit for Infy service, is hereby assigned to Capt Hartgraves Co. Browns' Battn [Ed: Co. B, 35th Texas Cavalry] and will report for duty without delay." That order was sent from Headquarters, Department of Texas at Houston. Allen claimed to have served with the 35th Texas until May 1865, but the 35th Texas Cavalry's last record of him listed him "Absent Sick" on February 1864.
Allen married his wife, Rachel C. Allen at Waller County, Texas, on January 31, 1872. At 67, he applied for a Soldier's Pension at Hempstead, Waller County, Texas, on June 25, 1909. Allen's assessed value was $320.00. His Pension was approved on August 31, 1909.
The following was provided on July 1997, by Lynwood Peterson of
the Genealogy Society of Waller County, Texas:
"George W. Allen died at Waller County, Texas, on August 13, 1911; and his wife
applied for a Widow's Pension on September 28, 1911. She was 57 at that time,
and said she was born in Heard County, Georgia. Her pension was approved on
March 7, 1912. Mrs. Allen died of "Measels" at Hempstead, Texas, on January 15,
1918. George W. Allen & Rachel C. Allen are buried in Fields Store Cemetery in
North Waller County. The cemetery is in the John Reese Survey near the junction
of F.M. 1488 and F.M. 362."
Copyright 1998, Scott McKay