Jewett, Allen Letters (1862-1863)

              [page 1]
Camp Curtin Saturday 
March 29, 1862 

Dear Mother 

I now sit down 
to write you a few lines, to 
let you know that I am 
well, and in the enjoyment 
of many comforts of life that 
many of my fellow beings are 
deprived of, for which I am 
truly thankfull. We are here 
yet but how much longer 
we shall stay here is uncertain 
as yet, but I hope not long 
for I feell that my time here 
is almost wasted getting no 
good and I am affraid 
doing but little if any good 
But I think that I am 
trying to guard the young 
against the temptation that 
beset them here 


[page 2]
You can not immagine the 
awfull amount of wickedness 
that is in Camp. Such 
as profanity, Drunkeness, and 
and Lewdness stalkes tempation 
over the young men here. 
To see young men come here into 
camp unpoluted from the evils 
of the immorality of camp 
vices, it brings rather gloomy 
thoughts to arise in my mind 
but then when I think of what 
Christ suffered for sinners, without 
complaining, I do feel that there is 
in him, a friend, that can sympathise 
with me and one that is able to 
strengthen me and does against the 
common sins of camp life. There is 
an addition for the better, to our comp- 
any of late from Brooklyn of 
good Church members which were 
received with a hearty good shake 
of the hand as was ever given 


[page 3]
they were Bro L Richards W H 
Eldridge and N [Ferguson ?] and I 
feel that I have sympathising friends 
in camp. Anson [Guernsy ?] called on 
me the other day; he says the most 
common sins of camp he thinks are 
profanity and Whoredom. But this 
has not been so mutch as a temp- 
tation to either of these sins 
But it is all "through grace free 
grace that is not of myself it is 
the gift of god." I try to seek 
an oportunity to comun with those 
that have not become contaminated 
with the vices of camp life; and I 
have gained an opertunity to 
some of them; and you may rely 
upon it that when I have done 
so I have improved it to the best 
of my ability and then I trust 
God for the result. I received 
your letter containng that 
Dollar which came very thankfully 


[page 4]
Our company have formed a con- 
solidation with Capt Mitchel's com'y 
and I think that the company 
will be soon filled up so that 
we can move South to the cene 
of conflict with rebeldom for which 
we are now longing for I saw the 
body of Col Murray which was killed 
at the battle near Winchester Va. 
I think God is preparing me for some 
dreadfull trial he is blessing me 
wonderfully "I know that my Redeemer 
liveth and interceeds for me" I do 
feell thankfull to Christ for his mercy 
unto me I feel that I am advancing 
in the road Heavenward you dont know 
how mutch good the [N C A ?] and 
the Independent does me I love to read 
them do mother write often to me. 
Direct as heretofore only in care of Capt 
Mitchel instead of Capt [illegible] Capt 
Mitchel apears to be a good officer 
a very kind hearted man. But I am 
afraid he is not Moral But 
whether he is or not I am resolved 
to try to live so that my life may 
be an example to the ungodly 
Mother 

from your 
Allen