June 3rd 1864

Officers Camp Point Lookout MD

June 3d 1864

Dear Sarah, I have at last received the pictures they came yesterday post marked 31^st I was not expecting them so soon. it was indeed a pleasure to look upon the faces of the dear loved ones not seen for so long a time. I think you said in your last, that Lucy’s was good but yours and Ida’s was taken badly and you would have them taken over. I think Lucy’s taken with the white dress is the best although Ida’s is very good also but yours is the best I think on the other plate did you notice Lucy’s hand and arm on that plate there is a deformity about it caused by her moving it before the impression was taken. Ida’s I think shows to a little better advantage with the dark dress she has not altered any I do not think. the same features do I recognize but something larger although I have not seen her for over two years. I must say Dear Sallie, I was surprised to see you looking so well I must say Mr. Hobday has not flattered you a bit, although I am very well satisfied and delighted to have it good or bad. I look at both and do not know which is the best if the hand was good Lucy’s I mean. I would much prefer all three on that plate. I wish you had kept one of the plates and then I could devote my time looking at one aloe I think you will soon be as large as Miss Maville. I answered your last of 28^th you spoke of sending me money do not do it, the box has not come yet it may come in tomorrow. kiss Ida & Lucy and tell them Pa has seen their sweet faces once more. my love to all, from your affectionate Harrie

June 1st 1864

Officers Camp Point Lookout MD.

June 1^st 1864

Dear Sarah,

Yesterday I received two letters from you one dated the 21^st with two -2- dollars enclosed from Mrs Anne Dougan and the other dated 28^th which was in answer to my last of the 22d. at the same time I received one from Mary enclosing two -2- dollars also which I have answered. you must imagine Dear Sarah the pleasure it gives me to hear from you all and to know you are all enjoying the blessing of health. I am well at present but was quite unwell for two or three days last week being taken with rush of blood to the head and fell, but recovered as soon as I was taken up. but as I before stated I am quite well now. you must return my kind thanks to Miss Ann for her kindness to you since I have been away also for what she sent me. the box I have not yet received but it is probable I will this week. I will write to the Captain Mr Bowers mentioned although I do not believe he sent the money, one of his name is here and I have seen him but not to speak to him. Gus and Joe I have not heard from for a long time. if when this reaches you you have not sent the pictures and you intend or have them ready to send you had better send them through the Post office if they are Photographs you can send them in letter if in a case, seal them and direct them several have come in that way. I am glad they are not sent in box. Dear Sallie you say in both your letters if you had the means you would not stay there. what is your reason for saying so I wish you to tell me in your next I judge something has transpired at home that causes you to speak thus. I shall certainly do as you desire when I see your Pa whether he wishes me to do so or not. I here enclose to gutta percha rings if they do not fit the children give them to Miss Ann’s children. as soon as I can get some needles I will have a necklace made for Ida & Lucy each. we have beautiful one made here George Smith has been kind when you see him give him my kindest regards I wrote to him the other day. I have not heard from Brother since, my love to all home also to all relatives & friends kiss my little girls trusting soon to hear from you I remain your Affectionate Husband

May 22nd 1864

Officers Camp. Point Lookout Md.

May 22d 1864

Dear Sarah

Yours of the 13^th ult. Has come to hand and gave me much pleasure to know you all were well, as you say many a loving heart has been made sad many a fond wife will wait anxiously for the dear one who will never return, many the dear little ones who will be left father[le]ss by this civil war. God grant it may soon come to a close and peace smile on us once again. I have received no letter from Bowers yet, and trust it will not turn out as the other did. The box would be very acceptable at this time and hope to see it soon, the pictures would be a delightful present to me as I would like much to look upon the dear faces of those I love best on earth once again. I do sincerely hope I will not be disappointed. you spoke of sending me money do not send it because I know it cannot be spared. I can make out very well. Gus offered to send me some but I have not heard from him for some time I wrote to him one month ago to day. he probaly did not get it. I was glad to learn Ma and Aunt Mary were improving my love to them. did Ma get my last letter. remember me to Mary H also to Louisa, Mollie, Mela, Mrs Foster, & Laura, and to all my friends. my love to your Ma and the children. Kiss Ida & Lucy for me I have not heard form Joe for some time. yours in love

H.A. Allen

from your Affectionate Husband,

I mailed a letter to you yesterday before I received yours

May 12th 1864

Officers camp Point lookout Md.

May 21^st 1864

Dear Sallie,

The last from you was dated 9^th which was answered and as I have not received one later I thought it best to pen you a few lines. I cannot imagine why it is that I have not heard from you lately. I received a letter from Geo Smith a few days ago I think I told you of having written to him to send a suit of clothes he says he has the article ready to send but having heard that I had been removed thought it best to write one first saying I must answer immediately which I did. Mary Griffith sent me a pr shoes, two shirts, two prs drawers, and several other little articles, which I received yesterday. I am sorry to say the shirts & drawers were too small but they will come in for some of my smaller comrades. she sends much love to you and all friends I wrote to her today. the box you sent to the Island has been distributed among my comrades there by my order as I might have lost it if they had sent it to me. one of the boys wore my coat here form the Island, and it reminded me of home. brother has been transferred to another Battery, and I am sorry to say has been badly wounded and had to have his leg taken off. I was told by one of the officers who has been taken prisoner lately he was doing well and is in Richmond. he is among the many who if he lives will be crippled for life. it will be sad news for his Ma, let her know it yourself. strange I do not hear from Gus. I wrote to him on the 22^nd April. give my love to your Ma, and the children, also to all relatives & friends kiss my dear little girls for me and accept the sincere love of your affectionate Husband

Henry A Allen

May 12th 1864

Officers Camp Point Lookout

Md. May 12^th 64

Dear Sarah

Yours bearing the date 9^th I received yesterday. I have been waiting anxiously for a letter having received one from you dated 1^st on the 6^th, and expected to get an answer from one written after answering those two of yours which o received together. I am truly glad to hear that Aunt Mary is getting better and trust she will regain her former good health. Joe told me he had been to see you and you were looking well and as pretty as ever. dont you feel complimented you should not have said anything to Mr Bowers about me. I shall not trouble him again. who is the Capt Reed he spoke about. I have not heard from Gus since 21^st April. I have written to Geo Smith to send me a suit of clothes he may do so if not I do not care. I accepted Mary Griffith’s offer and told her to send me some underclothing and pr shoes. she told me she had sent some things to Kit Gayle, who is here. we are not allowed to write but one side of a half sheet letter paper and cannot receive any more so any one writing to me you can tell them over that will not come, you had better send the money to your pa, if possible, give my love to your Ma, Joe, Fannie, & Ella. also to all my dear relatives & friends. remember me to Mrs Foster and Laura, kiss my dear little girls, yours affectionate Husband HAA

May 5th 1864

Officers Prison Camp, Point Lookout Md

May 5^th 1864

Dear Sarah

your letter bearing the date 1^st I received yesterday in which you say you had received mine of April 27^th I was much pleased to hear of the kind offer made you by Mr and Mrs Dungan. Ii was indeed kind and I thank them much. I do not believe that Shell will ever do better I feel sorry for Louisa Bowers no doubt looks out for No 1 I wrote to Mary G and received her reply yesterday. she wrote me a very pretty letter telling me if I needed anything to let her know. I ans her letter to day and sent your love to her. Dear Sallie the last time you spoke about sending the pictures I told you it was the last time I should speak on that subject, but thinking over the matter I will again mention it I wish to ask you one question why did you not oblige me by having them taken you have promised repeatedly but I find that it has never been done, because you have never had it taken it is no excuse at this time. if not convenient for the children you could have sent yours. you have sent me money enough to have twenty taken and I have told you not to do so . do you suppose I would much rather have the pleasure of looking at the faces of my dear wife & children than to have money when so many chances are against my ever seeing their dear faces again God only knows whether I shall ever be allowed that pleasure again. if I thought you had been so situated that you could not have done so I would have mentioned it but sending the money proves to the contrary. but I do not wish you because I have made these remarks to trouble yourself now about the matter it is too late and I would rather be deprived of them than for you to deprive yourself at this time. do not think Dear Sarah I am angry or that I wish to censure you. far from it. but I must say when I see others around me with the faces of their loved ones to look upon that I sometimes feel a little fretted and think I might have had mine also. I received a letter from Joe the other day he say he will send the Tobacco. I am glad to learn Uncle Joe is at home. my love to all at home and to all who may ask often of me. Kiss my little darlings for me yours affectionately Henry.

April 15th 1864

Officers Camp Point Lookout Md
April 15th 1864

Dear Dear Sallie,
Yours of the 12th I received yesterday in which you state that mine of the 2d has been received. almost every letter conveys to me the intelligence of the death of some of our Portsmouth folks. it pains me much to hear of so much sickness there. I am truly sorry to know the small pox is so close to you. did Aunt Mary get my last letter written when I wrote to Mary Dodd. give my love to her. Aunt Lou & Mary Ann also to Aunt Hager. I answered yours of the 3d in which I stated that I had made application for twenty (20) days parole to visit home which I trust you have gotten ere this. no news with us exchange seems to be at a stand still. it seems strange that Mr Dongan has not received either of my letters having written to him. give my regards to him & family. tell Mary I found out a Mrs Cordelia Allen at this place and wrote to her several days ago but have not received as answer. I would be pleased to pay you all a visit but I am fearful I shall be disappointed. I am expecting to hear from Genl Butler daily. give my love to all home to Ma, Mollie, and the Owens family also to Louisa. I trust those ladies will succeed in getting the remains of their Sons kiss my little girls for me yours in love
Henry