Letters from Robert Allen, Company A 13th Ohio

soldier in times of peace, but as my country is now in war. I would, if proper, be nothing else. So, I am content with my avocation, and I hope this may ever be my state of mind, alwas to have respect to my lot.

Now to business, mother: You are at liberty to use the money I send you, for all that I do send you is designed to meet your wants, not not mine. I shall hereafter keep ten dollars of every two months pay to meet my own wants, the rest shall be sent to you, which I wish you to appropriate to the things you think best. Do not reserve it for any need of mine, for "sufficient, unto the day is the evil thereof." You migght keep money for a certain thing, some reverse to me, for instance, and that reverse may never happen. I may never again be wounded

d; perhaps you save money for that therefore, it is rather too much uncertain to provide for such things. You need the money now: we are in debt, which is a case that requires immediate attention: therefore employ such means as you have, to halp defray the debt. Mish as to have my money saved for my special benefit; when those, who are almost as dear to me as my own life, are in want. If you do, you are utterly ignorant of my temperament. I would share my last morsel f of food with a fellow being; yes, if he needed it, I would give all.

So, do not think that I desire my money that I give you for some future purpose of self. I shall give as long as I can, an then fall , if fall I must, with the blessed consciousness of having done my duty.

You speak of having paid sums out of your own pocket. I know you have done so, but, mother, I do not think that you will have squandered it, as you seem to think. Your money shall be returned if God gives me means wherewith to do so, and that I will not be obliged to do all this myself I am sure, if Henry is prosperous, for he will not let you go unpaid. But if you need any money for your own secial use I wish you to take of what I send you. Take those thirty dollars of gold if you need them and my approval is hereby given you. I hope that I may never have occasion to speak on this subject again, as I have done it sufficient justice by this time.

Camp At McMinvi- lle, July 20th, '63

Dear Mother: Yours of the 12th inst. has been received. It found me at M cMinville, Tenn. I was glad to receive a letter from you, as I always am; but having received none for a long time from home, my interest was deeper than usual to read what you had to say.

I like this place pretty well. We are blessed with a plenty of rations, but not with our baggage, some of which would wo be qute serviceable at present. The most of the boys have no blankets here, they preferring to do without them to carrying them for their service. We have our shelter tents here, which together with our

oil-cloths protect us from the elements. Our knapsacks are expected to arrive here to-day.

I am sorry that Mary is sick, I hope she will soon recover, and, in future be more careful of her health. She should not have ventured to come home until she had fully recruited her health. Grandmother, too, is sick. Not seriously, is she I hope not. I would have you all enjoy earth's greatest blessings, health. May you all live till my return; for oh! I would have the exquisite pleasure of seeing all my remaining friends around the fire circle when once again I can return to the spot of my nativity.

As yet I have not received

a letter from Henry. I hope he will write to me, if he is not to busy. I would like to correspond with him, as I think we might consider various subjects to our advantages. Perhaps he has written, if so, his letter has miscarried. Let him write again.

Mother, I think this war is soon to close Vicksburg and Port Hudson are ours, and the rebels, of late, have been whipped at all points. Lee has been severely chastised. He has learned that it is fatal for an enemy to invade the North. I am glad that he did try the game the second time. His first lesson should have learned him that defeat was the p