This four page letter in ink was written John B. Allen Company B of the 7th South Carolina Infantry.  It comes with a manuscript “P.D.5” cover addressed to his niece in Anderson Court House, South Carolina.

The letter is headed “Stone Bridge, Va. July 28th, 1861”. 

·         “There is a great many sick men in our regiment… We are ready and waiting for another
fight if nothing else will do, since Lincoln says he will have his property back by all hazards. 
If he undertakes that there will be hotness a certain.  He has called on Pres. Davis for 30 or
40 days to study on I think his idea is to get ready for a big fight. Gen. Beauregard says he
isn’t going to give him a day and if that is so there will be some fighting in a few days.  I tell
you if there is it will be a hot time.”

·         “Your Papa can give you a description of the battle as he has the chance of talking with
you.  There was only 98 men killed and wounded and missing.  There was only 15 killed.” 

·         “Oh, it was an awful time, the booms was flying all around me, the balls whining right
and left.  I feel very thankful that I was spared.  Some went into the battle cursing and
swearing.  I didn’t go into it that way.  I went in praying to God to protect me and if it was
his will for me to fall my prayer was to get home to heaven with my good mother and
brother.” 

·         “It was an awful sight to see the poor men lying wounded and killed.  Some with their
heads shot off, some shot in too, some with their legs shot off and arms.” 

·         “We are going to move from this place tomorrow.  We are all very anxious to get away
 from here.  It is very disagreeable.  The scent is very bad at night.  I don’t know where we
 are going.  I think we will be moved near to Fairfax Court House.” 

·         “I was up last night on guard I am very drowsy, you must excuse me for writing to
hastily…. I have turned over a new leaf since the battle.  I am mighty thankful to God that 
I got through safe.  So many of the men being wounded, Oh it was a dreadful sight.”

·         “The Yankees are still dying, yet dreadful to see the house full of wounded men, wounded
and groaning.  I tell you it was a dreadful time.  They commenced firing on us at 6 o’clock am
and closed 4 o’clock pm, then the Cavalry pursued them and captured 93 pieces of artillery
near 2,000 prisoners and all their baggage.”

A fine Confederate letter on the first major battle of the Civil War by a soldier who witnessed the horrors of war and describes them excellently! 

#CG163 - Price $1,295

Transcription:

                My Dear Niece,

                    I received your kind and affectionate letter.  I was glad to hear from you.  It
was just after the battle was over.  This leaves me well and at present and hope that when
 this comes to hand that you may be enjoying the same blessing.  There is a great many
 sick men in our regiment.  I am very thankful that he has spared me so long.  I haven’t
been sick since I left home.  Jessie is here with us now, he speaks of going home in a few
days if we don’t get into another battle.  We are ready and waiting for another fight if
nothing else will do, since Lincoln says he will have his property back by all hazards.  If
he undertakes that there will be hotness a certain.  He has called on Pres. Davis for 30 or
 40 days to study on I think his idea is to get ready for a big fight. Gen. Beauregard says
he isn’t going to give him a day and if that is so there will be some fighting in a few days. 
I tell you if there is it will be a hot time.  Your Papa can give you a description of the battle
as he has the chance of talking with you.  There was only 98 men killed and wounded and
 missing.  There was only 15 killed.  Oh, it was an awful time, the booms was flying all
around me, the balls whining right and left.  I feel very thankful that I was spared.  Some
went into the battle cursing and swearing.  I didn’t go into it that way.  I went in praying
 to God to protect me and if it was his will for me to fall my prayer was to get home to
heaven with my good mother and brother.  It was an awful sight to see the poor men lying
wounded and killed.  Some with their heads shot off, some shot in too, some with their legs
 shot off and arms.  I have just received a letter from Mina.  I was glad to hear from her. 
She said she was enjoying herself very well.  Wm. Smith is sorta sick.  He is getting along
very well.  Samuel is a little fussy.  We are going to move from this place tomorrow.  We
are all very anxious to get away from here.  It is very disagreeable.  The scent is very bad
 at night.  I don’t know where we are going.  I think we will be moved near to Fairfax
Court House.  Direct your letters to Manassas Junction it will be sent to me.  No one
 knows where we go.  Sis I want you to write to me and give me the news.  I got a letter
from Hassie the other day.  Write often.  You have such a good chance & you don’t know
how glad I was to see Jessie.  He looks so well.  As ever tell your father to write & would
be glad to hear from him & Jane.  I miss him very much it seems like I would when Pappy
was gone from home. 

                  I was up last night on guard I am very drowsy, you must excuse me for writing
to hastily.  Tell the girls home for me, tell them I hope to get home again to see them all. 

                  I have turned over a new leaf since the battle.  I am mighty thankful to God that
 I got through safe.  So many of the men being wounded, Oh it was a dreadful sight.  The
Yankees are still dying, yet dreadful to see the house full of wounded men, wounded and
 groaning.  I tell you it was a dreadful time.  They commenced firing on us at 6 o’clock
am and closed 4 o’clock pm, then the Cavalry pursued them and captured 93 pieces of
artillery near 2,000 prisoners and all their baggage.  

Nothing more only remains your affectionate Uncle,

                                                                    John Allen.

                July 28, 1861