John Allen letter, April 4, 1861
Page from John Allen letter, Apr. 4, 1861
Courtesy of McLean County Museum of History
Front line of Union troops,
Battle of Nashville, Dec. 16, 1864
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
- Location
- McLean County Museum of History
- Background
- John Allen (b. 1835 in Connecticut) saw action in the Civil War with the 117th Illinois Regiment at the Battle of Nashville in 1864.
- Contents
- John Allen writes from Greensboro, Pa., to his brother regarding the inevitability of war, preparations, and beliefs regarding the North, the South, and fighting:
“It seems now as if War is inevitable already the martial sound is heard in the distance and preparations are being made in every section, men old and young are enlisting and leaving their apparently peaceful homes with the prospect of defending their country with the sword and other implements war, but it is to be hoped there will be but little fighting done but I don't see how it can well be avoided unless the southern confederacy backs out which is not very likely, they have gained one little victory and I suppose they thought there was so little opposition they have become emboldened and they think they can conquer the whole of the northern states with out any opposition I am not a believer in war but as long as we have come to the fighting point I hope the north may whip the south as soon as they undertake the Capitol so badly that they will be ready to form a treaty and cease fighting”
- Note: Forms part of the Museum's Allen-Brown collection, 1835-1909 and undated
(See the NUCMC catalog record)