This letter was written by Maria Allen to her brother Amos Thompson Allen (1838-1864). They were the children of Chester Allen and Eliza Ingersoll. Amos enlisted on 22 June 1861 as a 1st Sergeant in Co. I, 5th Connecticut Infantry. In December 1862, he was given a commission as 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Co. F, 11th Connecticut Infantry. In April 1864 he was transferred to Co. H, 11th Connecticut where he was appointed Captain.

Unfortunately, the Captain received a severe would in the left leg during the Battle of Cold Harbor on 3 June 1864 which required amputation. He died at home on 5 July 1864.

Maria’s letter gives home front news to her brother, including details of the fuss over a State ordered draft in January 1862.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

North Cornwall
Sabbath afternoon
February 16th 1862

My Dear Brother Amos,

I was most happily disappointed last Thursday on opening the mail to find a letter directed to me from brother Amos. I did not expect it that day but it was none the less welcome. I was just going to the west district a visiting when the mail came. I took the letter with me and read it. Everyone is anxious to know what news the letter contains.

We had good news in the papers that day of the taking of Roanoke Island & Elizabeth City and 2500 prisoners and yesterday we heard that Fort Donelson was surrendered. I suppose you have heard that Gen. Stone is in Fort Lafayette where he ought to be for he is a traitor to his country, I think.

Thursday night I went from the Coles’ to meeting and a most excellent meeting we had. Mr. [Charles] Wetherly [or Wetherby] preached, Julia Reed & two of the other girls read for prayers. Last Sunday, Rev. Mr. [William C.] Clarke preached. It seemed very pleasant to hear him. He come on Saturday and went up to Miss Emily’s where he remained till Friday. He was down to the Tuesday evening meeting which was held at the school house. There were 94 persons present. It is to be held in the church this week. Mr. Wetherly preaches at West Cornwall this evening. I attended last Sabbath evening but could not go this evening. I hope he will be the means of doing much good down there. He said he felt encouraged last Thursday evening. The meeting was so solemn and still. Rully is one of the converts. The Baptists were having meeting a few weeks since and there were a number of conversions and one day there were nine immersed. I went up to see them two weeks ago. There were five that day.

In the afternoon, the funeral sermon of Henry [C.] Ford was preached—Amos Ford’s son. He died at sea. He was in [Co. D of] the 11th Regiment with the Burnside fleet. I think he had the measles. He was only 18. He has a brother with the regiment now. I read in the Litchfield paper that Charlie’s regiment were to have no more furloughs granted but they must hold themselves ready to leave as soon as called upon.

You wrote that you had heard that Niles and some others were drafted. They were. But it caused such an excitement throughout the state that the Governor has done away with it for the present. The first day they drafted here, John S. Niles, Theadore Ives, & T. Gold Burton, Chancey B., John Cotten, Edwin Bierce, & some others from this part of the town that I marked did not try to get exempt. E. B. & T. G. claimed they were not subject to duty. The others had to pay ten dollars although John C. got a certificate from a doctor that he was not able & he is not. R. Pratt made him pay but now it will be returned I expect. ¹

I was down to West Cornwall the evening after the first & called on Jennie while Edward went to mill. She said she should cut off Tom’s finger or toe if he was drawn the second time. And William Roger’s Austin went back three weeks ago next Thursday. He went by the way of New Haven. He thought of enlisting but did not. He said he could have had a lieutenancy in the 14th by enlisting 35 men. He is now in Alexandria, Virginia.

We are having splendid sleighing and I wish you could be here to enjoy some of it. I never knew better. We have had a good deal of ice. We would have a snow storm and then it would rain & melt it & then freeze. I never knew it so slippery. It has been dangerous to walk but now it is not so bad as our last snows have nearly covered the ice. Last Wednesday I had a sleigh ride after four horses. John & Sanford put their horses together and took Ada, Ellen, Harrison & [ ] Bradford in the Hollow. Kate & Minnie Sedgwick and myself to ride. Libbie would have been called after but Niles & she had gone to Norfolk…We went down to C. Bridge, then to the Olain to Johnson Hollow from Cornwall Hollow and left part of our load & one span of horses. Then we returned home. Arrived home just after sundown by moonlight.

I would love to see you come into the door and take your place on the lounge tonight just as you used to. I have a good fire and you might rest if I did not talk to you so much you could not. I know of no one I would rather see. You are remembered daily. Mother wanted me to inquire if there was anything you needed to make you more comfortable that we could send you. If there is, write and let us know. Do not be afraid to tell your wants….

from your unworthy sister, — Maria

¹ The draft to which Maria refers was instituted by Connecticut Governor Buckingham to augment the ranks of the State Militia, which had suffered depletion due to volunteers enlisting in State Regiments for U.S. service. While these individuals were not anticipated to be activated immediately, in the event of a Federal draft, they would have been among the first to be conscripted. This prospect was met with considerable discontent by those whose names were drawn, prompting them to seek declarations of exemption. Upon selection, the men were afforded five days to establish their exempt status, secure a substitute, or incur a fine of ten dollars. [Source: Litchfield Enquirer, 30 January 1862]