Orrin Sweet
Allen was born in Rensseler County, New York in 1826 to William
Allen, an itinerant farmer. Orrin was educated for the ministry at a
very young age and it affected his choices and life style for the
rest of his life. He considered himself to be a Bible Scholar and
was a very voracious and eclectic reader through out his life. His
family and friends all noted that he enjoyed lecturing and speaking
on Biblical subjects, to support himself he had became a carpenter
and cabinetmaker and as he got older he turned to farming to feed
his family.
By 1856 he met and married Frances/Francis E. Wade (spelled both
ways in letters) the daughter of a cabinetmaker Garrit E. Wade, in
Chautauqua County, NY. Mr. Allen and Mr. Wade also made musical
instruments among other items for the home. Together Orrin and
Frances had three children Della C. Allen, Clarence Wade Allen and
my Grandfather E. Floyd Wade Allen (1881-1972).
In April 1860 the Democratic Party went to war for the first time
against the American People and this sovereign nation in their vain
attempt to prove their way of life and that slavery was right for
all America. Prior to the election of 1860 The Democratic Party had
warned the American voters that they would destroy this country if
it failed to vote for them and place their candidate in the White
House. As history will prove this party will continue this line of
threats for the next two centuries. Shortly after the election of
the greatest President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, on
December 20, 1860 the State of South Carolina and Democratic Party
turn their collective backs on the USA and voted to secede from the
Union. By February 4, 1861 six more states headed by the Party voted
to join South Carolina and on April 12, 1861 at 4:30 AM the first
shots were exchanged at Ft Sumter S.C.
On May 3, 1861 President Lincoln issued his first call for
volunteers to serve for three years or for the duration of "The War
of Rebellion". Everyone thought that the Dems and the break away
states would soon regain their senses and that the war would be a
short one it. It was to never happen, as the President increased his
call up for an additional 300,000 volunteers and a draft for an
additional 300,000 Militia to serve for only nine months.
The Governor of New York charged the citizens of his state to fill
his quotas and take to the field. Americans from every walk of life
joined to fight to preserve the Union and until "Party Hacks"
instigated the "Great Draft Riots of 1864, in New York City" where
party members led crowds through the streets in burning homes,
schools, factories and lynching Negroes in their homes to protest
the draft of white men. Thousands of troops were brought in from the
battlefield's to stem the violence in the once peaceful city.
Orrin S. Allen lived in the 31st, Congressional District, as the
citizens of Chautauqua County stood shoulder to shoulder to defend
their country 36 year old, father of two small children Orrin Sweet
Allen took his place in that line of defense on August 22, 1862.
The letters in this book cite about 300 letters that Orrin exchanged
with family and friends during this darkest period in American
History
Enlistment
Papers
On August 22,
1862, Orrin S. Allen enlisted to serve his country during
one of the darkest period in American History.
Discharge
Papers
On June 2,
1865, Orrin S. Allen was discharged after proudly serving
for 3 years.
Wounded
Orrin
was wounded on September 29, 1864. He suffered
injuries when a shell "bursted" over his head.
