The following pages are the reminiscences, or a brief sketch of Col. Lawrence M. Allen's campaigns in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina while on detached service under military orders. Only a few of the leading battles in which he was engaged are mentioned in this narrative, as such battles are in history.
The following true narrative, given according to official reports, will show to some extent the extreme hardships and privations encountered in these disaffected parts of the coun try, which will be given more fully at some future time, with the names of all the commissioned officers of the 64th Regiment North Carolina State Troops.
Field and Staff of the Sixty-Fourth N. C. Regiment C. S. A. in 1862,
as per roster at Raleigh, N.C.
Lawrence M. Allen, Colonel, Commissioned July 20th, 1862.
J. A. Keith, Lieut.-Colonel, Commissioned Oct. 3d, 1862.
W. N. Garrett, Major, Commissioned Oct. 3d, 1862.
L. H. Smith, Adjutant.
J.G. Hardy, Surgeon.
J.G. Anderson, Assistant Surgeon.
John B. Nelson, Assistant Quartermaster.
W. B. Smith, Acting Commissary Sergeant.
H. D. Waugh, Chaplain.
Daniel Briscoe, Sergeant Major.
J. C. Lowery, Quartermaster Sergeant.
Edward Levan, Commissary Sergeant.
J. G. Rutlege, Commissary Sergeant.
Robert Harper, Drum Major.
J. M. Fulks, Musician.
E. H. Merrimon, Quartermaster Sergeant.
J. G. Rutlege, Ordnance Sergeant.
The Young Patriot's Response to Arms; His Rapid Promotion.
[5] Col. Lawrence M. Allen, the subject of this narrative, who became so conspicuous in the late Civil War as Colonel of the 64th N. C. Volunteers, was born in Buncombe County, N. C., on the 15th of October, 1833. His father, Riley Allen. was a substantial farmer, a kind father, and controlled well his household. Col. Allen's mother was a Miss Reese, from Spartanburg, S. C., before she married Riley Allen, and on both sides of the house their ancestors were of Revolutionary extract. Lawrence M. Allen was an energetic boy, always at the head of his class at school, strictly obedient, never giving his teachers trouble, and never known to have any difficult with his schoolmates or associates. He obtained a fair English education. In 1853 he married a Miss Mary M. Peek, of excellent standing, and settled on a farm, and by industry, enterprise and integrity acquired valuable property at Marshall, N. C.
About this time a portion of Buncombe County, with a strip of Yancey, was cut off to form Madison County. Soon after this county was organized, L. M. Allen was elected Clerk of the Superior Court of Madison County. He so well discharged the duty of his office that in his second race his opponent, though in good standing, received only fifty votes in the whole county. L. M. Allen was one of the leading Democrats of his county and always a delegate to the State Democratic Convention.
While Clerk of the Court, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for troops to coerce South Carolina, as she had fired upon and captured Fort Sumter. This proclamation created such a profound sensation that the militia were called out. On the Saturday following, a company of volunteers, one hundred strong, were organized, and John Peek, a [6] Mexican veteran, was made captain of the first company from Madison County.
At the first call Lawrence Allen volunteered, and installing a deputy clerk in his office, he moved out with the company to Raleigh on the first day of May, 1861. The company went into camp of instruction, and shortly afterward, the 16th regiment, then called the 6th, was organized, and Captain Peek's Company was lettered Company B in the regiment. Stephen D. Lee, of Asheville, was elected Colonel.
About the time of the battle of Big Bethel, the Regiment received marching orders to go to West Virginia, at Valley Mountain, and was placed in Loring's Brigade, Gen. R. E. Lee Commanding the Department. About the first of July, 1861, another company of one hundred and twenty-five men was organized in Madison County, and by a unanimous vote, elected L. M. Allen their Captain, who received orders from the War Department to take charge of his company and move without delay to Richmond, Va., which order was promptly obeyed. The company was placed with the 2d N. C. Battalion, Col. Wharton J. Green commanding, which did duty in and around Richmond until December following.
The battalion was then ordered to Wilmington, N. C., as it was not known where the Federal fleet, commanded by Gen. Burnsides, would make an attack along the coast. They camped at Mitchell's Sound and drilled regularly until the 30th of January, 1862, when the battalion was ordered to proceed in haste to Roanoke Island. The command hastened to Norfolk, Va., and was tugged, in barges on the Chesapeake Bay, to Roanoke. An engagement was going on when it arrived, and landing amid the shells and shots of the enemy, the battalion formed and double quicked three miles to headquarters where it received orders. Col. Green did well his duty--a brave officer and a true gentleman. Capt. Allen, of Company A, did credit to himself and his command. The preparations for defence on the Island were poor and General Wise, being sick, had gone to Nag's Head, and the command fell on Col. Shaw, of the 8th N. C. Volunteers, who did all in his power to protect the Island, but the enemy was too formidable for the small force; so on the 8th of February, 1862, Col. Shaw surrendered the Island to the Federal forces, commanded by Gen. Burnsides. The third day afterward the Confederate officers were marched under guard on to the steamer SPAULDING, the field and staff getting cabin fare. All company officers were placed in the hull of the vessel and well guarded. Within a few weeks they moved all the Confederate [7] prisoners from the Island and landed them at Elizabeth City, where they were all paroled, most of the 2d N.C. Battalion going up the Dismal Swamp Canal to Norfolk, Virginia. Elizabeth City had been evacuated, and the soldiers suffered greatly for food. After a march of a couple of days they got on tug boats and finally reached Norfolk.
Captain Allen and his company went by the Petersburg route to Lynchburg, then took the East Tennessee and Vir ginia Railroad to Greenville, East Tennessee, the nearest point by rail to their homes in Madison County, N. C. There were many slides in the road, which rendered their progress slow, but through Virginia they were provided with rations.
Arriving at Greenville at 11 o'clock at night, Captain Allen fed all his men, ninety-one in number, at a hotel, and moved out on foot at 9 A. M. The next day all reached their homes. Soon after his arrival home Captain Allen received a summons to appear at Richmond, Virginia, before a Senate Committee to give evidence relative to the battle and fall of Roanoke Island. Hon. B. S. Gaither, of North Carolina, was chairman of the committee.
After the investigation Captain Allen visited many of the North Carolina Regiments, then in front of Richmond, and after having an interview with the Secretary of War, returned to his home at Marshall, N. C. After a little rest he used his influence in helping to organize troops. The first was a cavalry company, one hundred strong. Captain Allen mounted and equipped the company out of his own funds, so by the 20th of July, 1862, he had 1,700 troops ready for action. By this time he was exchanged, commissioned Colonel, and received marching orders.
Allen's Legion, for that it had been named, was ordered to Greenville, East Tennessee, and drill officers assigned him, but in three weeks he was ordered with his command to Knoxville to report to General E. Kirby Smith, commanding the Department of East Tennessee, and was at once assigned to duty. Colonel Allen took great pride in military tactics and soon had his men well drilled. He was kind and good to his men, but his orders had to be obeyed.
East Tennessee was so disaffected they had much hard service, sending out scouting parties far and near. On the 30th of August, 1862, Colonel Allen was ordered to take four of his companies and scour the mountains of Severe [Sevier] and Blount counties. They crossed Holston river at Knoxville after dark, traveled all night; the next evening ran on a body of men in the mountains, captured them, and found among them two [8] who had recruiting papers for the Federal service. Colonel Allen sent them under guard to Knoxville and continued his search, capturing quite a number before his return, among them several recruiting officers.
Colonel Allen, on his return to Knoxville, was ordered with his legion into Kentucky. where he had several skirmishes with the Federal scouts. He joined the main array just in time to be in the battle at Perryville, Kentucky, where at the head of his column, he made a charge on the enemy's left wing, he being on the Confederate right. The Federals soon retreated, leaving him master of their former position. When the Confederate army fell back into East Tennessee, Colonel Allen returned to Knoxville with several hundred government mules, which had been captured while in Ken tucky. He turned them over to the Chief Quartermaster, who sold them soon after at a government sale.
From 22d of October, 1862, until January 1, Colonel Allen commanded the post at Knoxville, Tennessee. About 15th December, 1862, his legion was disbanded, his battalion of cavalry being assigned to that of the gallant Colonel G. N. Folk, of North Carolina, making a full regiment. Col. Allen commanded the Infantry, which was constituted the 64th North Carolina Regiment Volunteers.
Early in January, 1863, Colonel Allen was ordered with his regiment to Bristol to report to General Humphrey Marshall. Bristol is in both East Tennessee and Virginia. Being on the line the enemy was raiding in from Kentucky, trying to destroy the salt works in southwest Virginia, which was so important to the South for her supply of salt. The Colonel arrived in due time; the enemy was approaching in force, but were met and repulsed with considerable loss. The coast being clear Colonel Allen returned to Knoxville, marching through several counties in East Tennessee, capturing and breaking up several lawless bands.
Campaigns in Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
[9] On his return to Knoxville he received the sad intelligence: Bill Kirk, from Greene County, East Tennessee, took a few men, went over into Madison County, N. C., in the Laurel Mountains of Madison, where lawlessness reigned supreme, and all claimed to be Union men. By his flattery he soon added a hundred men to his list and several low women. They went to Marshall, arriving after dark. They first went to Colonel Allen's mansion, no one being there but his wife, three little children and a few servants. The children were all very ill with scarlet fever. They broke in the door, filling the various rooms, guns in hand, and demanded of Mrs. Allen her keys to the bureaus, trunks, etc., swearing they would kill her it she refused, but she stood over her sick and frightened children. With an ax they broke open bureaus and trunks, taking everything they contained, also considerable money, the clothes of the sick children from their bedside, all the clothing in the house and all the shoes Mrs. Allen had. The weather was extremely cold. They concluded their marauding by robbing several stores. On their way back to the mountains they broke into Mrs. Farnsworth's house, an old widow lady and robbed her of all even her dead husband's clothes. As they entered Marshall they fired a volley at Captain John Peek, shattering his right arm. He was then at home on business, but was in command of Company C, 64th Regiment--a good, efficient and brave officer.
Thus was lost the services of a good, efficient and brave officer and one of the best soldiers of the country-always ready and willing to obey orders and ever faithful in the discharge of his duties.
About this time six of Kirk's men ran in on little Jim Ray, who belonged to the 16th Regiment. He was at home on a short leave of absence, and while out just at day to feed his horse, they ran in upon him, killing him instantly. All these facts reaching Colonel Allen, he went immediately and laid the matter before General E. Kirby Smith. After looking over many letters relative to the affairs in Madison County, General Smith ordered Colonel Allen to be ready to take the train that evening for Greenville, East Tennessee, the nearest [10] moved northeast, who was to strike Laurel near the head, and Colonel Allen near its mouth, and to form a junction at Bill Shelton's. The snow was getting deep and still falling. When the cavalry reached the mountains they could plainly hear the signal horns of the enemy. The cavalry killed eight armed robbers before reaching Bill Shelton's. There they encountered an armed force of fifty or sixty men. After a sharp skirmish the robbers were charged by Captain Owen's Cavalry, who fled into a laurel thicket close by, leaving six more killed. The snow so retarded Colonel Keith's march that he could not possibly reach Shelton's before dark. Twenty-five of the infantry were more or less frostbitten.
On the night of the 26th the soldiers camped at Bill Shel ton's. During the night Colonel Allen received a dispatch from his wife in Marshall that their little son, aged six years, had died that day, and there was no chance for their little daughter, aged four, to recover. About daylight, on the morning of the 27th, Colonel Allen started to his family with an escort of four men. They rode as fast as the lay of the country would permit. Several shots were fired at them from the mountains, but none took effect, except a shot which Col. Allen's horse received through the wethers. Colonel Allen reached his home at 10 A.M. His little girl lay dying, and expired a few moments after her father's return.
Let us draw the curtain here over this affecting scene and refer you to Mr. Bell's letter, an Episcopal minister, who was present at the time. (The letter will be found in the latter part of this sketch.)
The next day Colonel Allen buried his child, and the day following rejoined his troops on the Shelton Laurel. With Captain Owens and cavalry he moved through the mountains into Washington County, East Tennessee, and there routed a band, killing six. After delivering considerable stolen property, which had been captured, to the proper owners, they moved back through the northern part of Madison County, N.C., to Marshall. Colonel Allen took care of Captain Owens [11] and his company that night. Next morning, February 21, they bade Colonel Allen farewell and moved for Knoxville, East Tennessee. Colonel Allen says that for true manhood, brave and generous gentlemanliness, he has come in contact with no one who excels Captain Owens, of East Tennessee.
After remaining with his little family a few days Colonel Allen again reported at Knoxville, Colonel Keith remaining on Laurel for two weeks longer. After making his report to Lieutenant General E. Kirby Smith, he was ordered to Bell's Bridge, west of Knoxville, to guard that leading road from Kentucky, which duty was well performed, often having heavy skirmishing with Federal scouts, but always driving them back.
In June following he was ordered to Jacksboro, near the Kentucky line, where he did excellent service in the borders of Kentucky, capturing scouts and a great many bushwhackers, being continually on duty until the 20th of August, when he was ordered to Cumberland Gap to report to Brigadier General Frazier. The order was obeyed, and the troops went to fortifying the Gap. As the army of the Cumberland were approaching in that direction, Colonel Allen was kept principally between the lines checking foraging parties of the Federals.
About the 6th of September Colonel Allen was ordered to Richmond on official business. While there, on the 9th September, 1863, General Frazier surrendered Cumberland Gap unconditionally to the Federals without any resistance or the fire of a gun.
Hot Engagements with Bushwhacker Kirk on the French Broad.
[12]While at Richmond Colonel Allen received orders from the War Department to go to Western North Carolina, and to collect such forces as he could to keep between the lines, and to protect the country from invasion.
The Colonel hastened to his line of duty. On detached service and on sick-leave he had two hundred true and effective men; these he hastened to collect together for immediate action. On the 1st of October he made a dash just at daylight on Laurel, capturing a recruiting officer and twelve privates on their way to join the Federals. They were treated as prisoners of war and sent to Asheville, N. C.
On the 12th October General R. B. Vance requested Colonel Allen to form a junction with Major Woodfin, of the 14th North Carolina Battalion, and make a sally on Hot Springs, as the enemy was there in force. Nearly all of Colonel Allen's men were on the move to Yancey, though he collected a few mounted men and proceeded with Major Woodfin to Hot Springs. The Springs are on the south side of French Broad River, and on the north side is the Turnpike road, which runs along the river's edge and is steep and mountainous.
On arriving near Hot Springs the command captured the enemy's outpost, and then charged to the north end of the bridge, which was torn up. A sharp fight ensued. A stream of water on the north side of the river, running south, empty ing just below the bridge and full of underbrush, was filled with the enemy, also under the river bank on the north side, which furnished us an infilated fire. The 19th [14th] Battalion fell back. Colonel Allen, Major Woodfin and seven privates were completely cut off, except to scale a mountain north, which is almost perpendicular. Colonel Allen ordered them to scale the heights; in so doing Major Woodfin and four privates were killed. Colonel Allen and the others, receiving a fire from both flanks and rear, scaled the mountain.
After moving some distance amidst fallen timber and large rocks, dark came on. They all became separated, Colonel Allen bearing to the right. He was soon fired upon by the enemy's scouts, who were in pursuit. There was so much fallen timber that the Colonel had to dismount and leave his [13] horse. The enemy pressed him so close that he had to take off his cavalry boots and leave them also. With bare feet he traveled two days and nights in the rugged mountains full of thorns and chestnut burrs, a cold rain falling all the time, and without a particle of food. From the high mountain peaks he could see the enemy on all the roads and passways watching for him. For safety he had to keen along the rugged ledges of the mountains and to wade deep streams. During his second night's travel he came close to a large fire; a jolly crowd seemed to be surrounding it. The Colonel cautiously moved near. He saw it was the enemy rejoicing over a man they had killed. One of them was upon a stump crowing like a rooster. Colonel Allen pulled his revolver, and at the report the human rooster fell in the fire and the others took to the brush; the colonel slipped back quietly in the dark and worried along, reaching the Confederate lines at Marshall the next day, the 14th, in a worn out and dilapidated condition. He was immediately visited by General Vance and staff, who gave him every attention possible. The troops at Hot Springs were those of the notorious robber and murderer, George Kirk, who had made up a company from East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and composed of deserters and the scum of the country generally. The dead man, spoken of where Colonel Allen shot the rooster, was Jesse Cranes, son of a Confederate, who had returned on sick-leave, They took him from his father's house that night and killed him.
Colonel Allen was ordered by General Vance back of the lines to recruit up. The Colonel moved his distressed family to Greenville District, S. C. Soon as the soreness left his feet so that he could wear boots he returned to North Carolina.
The enemy now being in possession of East Tennessee, Kirk's men became bold in crime, killing every Southern Man, old or young, they could find. They killed and scalped Major Holcomb and James Arrington, who were Southern soldiers, but then at home; shot down old James Garrett, seventy years of age, at his gate; went to William Peck's, a good citizen, aged seventy-two, took his shoes and compelled him to go over his plantation in the cold and dark, in his bare feet, and give up to them all his horses.
Colonel Allen, on his return, immediately went on duty. Colonel Keith, with a detail of infantry, was stationed at Mars Hill, Madison County. Colonel Allen's were mounted infantry.
These officers with their men, were on duty almost day and night in the mountains of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee until the surrender. There was never better [14] service done or greater hardships endured than by these brave officers and men in protecting their country. It would make quite a page in history--so much so that we have not the time to narrate it all, but will give Colonel Allen's last battle, on the 15th of February, 1865: With two hundred mounted men he left Asheville, North Carolina, to engage Kirk's men, who were doing much injury to the citizens of the extreme Western counties of North Carolina, taking all the available horses and plundering generally. Colonel Allen encountered many squads of the enemy, and routing them, he pursued them across the Smoky Mountains into Severe [Sevier] County, East Tennessee. He made a dash on Severeville and stampeded a considerable force of the enemy's cavalry. Owing to the large number of the enemy he commenced his return march, traveling until l0 o'clock at night, his men being two days and nights in the saddle, fighting nearly all the time. They and their horses were severely jaded. Selecting the best possible posi tion between two roads they bivouacked for the night, throwing out pickets.
On the morning of the 20th, about daylight, Colonel Allen discovered that they were cut off by Kirk's regiment. He formed his squadron, rode along the lines in full uniform on his powerful war horse, encouraging his men. He made a splendid appearance, and his men say until to-day that his voice always animated them in battle. On this occasion he said to his soldiers: "We will cut through their lines, or this day our wives will be widows!" He sent Captain D. W. Anderson to the nearest line of the enemy, who brought on a brisk engagement. As the enemy rallied to that point, Colonel Allen moved the remainder slowly up to Captain Anderson's position, and then, wheeling square to the right, went at full speed, Captain Anderson falling in his rear. They soon reached the gap of a mountain on the right-hand road, which was heavily guarded. The Colonel with his men dashed among them like a thunderbolt, firing as they went. When Colonel Allen, at the head of his column, discharged his pistols, his sword leaped from its scabbard; glittering an instant in the morning sunlight, then commenced its deadly mission. He cut the nearest foe from his saddle. Two more rushed at him, but the Colonel cut the second one down, and one of his soldiers knocked the other enemy in the head with his gun. The enemy then scattered. Colonel Allen's loss was ten, himself receiving painful wounds. He received a shot through the left foot and a sabre cut on his right thigh. He moved on through the enemy, leaving the road almost blockaded [15] with dead men and horses. Kirk's men gathered and pursued cautiously for a few miles. Captain Anderson, in Colonel Allen's rear, would form on every favorable point and give them a volley until they withdrew badly cut to pieces. Kirk's exact loss was not learned, but it was heavy.
After riding hard for two hours Colonel Allen became very sick and blind from loss of blood from his wound. He was taken from his horse, and one of his soldiers took off his shirt. Tearing it up, he bandaged the Colonel's wounds, and by the aid of cold water the flow of blood was soon stopped. His men hastily constructed a litter and carried him on it until late in the evening. Obtaining a hack they traveled late that night. The next night, the 21st of February, 1865, the command reached Asheville, N. C., where Colonel Allen made his last official report, not being again able for duty until the surrender. At Asheville he received the best of medical attention, and in a short while this patriotic, self-sacrificing, gallant soldier was permitted to join his family, having paid the debt in full, which every loyal son owed to his sunny Southland.
Colonel Allen's Duel in Defence of the Honor of Southern Womanhood.
[16] Colonel Allen was an officer of skill, judgment and of indomitable perseverance. His record as a partisan fighter, fully given, would rival the wildest romance of the West for all that is true, courageous and brave.
The war closes, the Southern soldiers surrender their arms and return to their homes and to their labors, but Kirk with his band continue their crimes until September, 1865, killing leading Southern men and taking all the available horses in the country, until they were forced to stop by the Federal authorities.
The principal officers and leaders of the Confederacy in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee were compelled to leave the country to save their lives after many of their comrades were foully murdered.
Kirk's robbers continued to plunder the homes of Southern men, stealing provisions and clothing of our defenceless women and children.
Now, those wretches are natives of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, the greater part of whom had deserted the Confederate Army; men in bad standing and of extremely disreputable characters, who, before the war, were regularly before the Courts for nearly every species of crime. Look at them now! They are all Federal pensioners. These outlaws made several attempts to assassinate Colonel Allen, but failed. They then claimed to have a military order for his arrest, but it was not served.
Having lost all his earthly possessions during the four years' struggle, through the influence of his wife and friends he emigrated with his little family, in October, 1865, to Arkansas, locating in Benton County, endeavoring to maintain himself and loved ones by farming till 1884, when, owing to his efforts in the cause of Democracy in his adopted State, his old wounds had so impaired his health that he took a trip to Colorado. At the approach of winter he went south to Arizona.
The following incident, which occurred while there in February, 1885, in which Colonel Allen was prominent, will [17] give an idea of his valor, his love for the South, and of his affection for the Purity Of Southern womanhood: Colonel Allen was sitting at a hotel table in the City of Phoenix, Arizona, conversing with a capitalist who had an idea of investing in the South. The colonel was pointing out the South's natural advantages and resources. At a seat hard by sat a very large man, a mineral expert, who said he was from New York. He began without any sort of provocation to vilify the South, declaring that the Southern men were, as a whole, a lazy, good-for-nothing thriftless set, and devoid of anything that goes to make up true manhood. Parties present say they saw the hot blood mount to the old Southern soldier's face, but the colonel made no reply to these remarks, which he knew were leveled at him, he being the only Southern man present, but the Colonel continued his conversation with the capitalist. The New Yorker, whose name was Dill, finally laid one straw on the camel's back that broke it. He said in course, brutal language that the women of the South were "no good"--that "the best of them were less virtuous than a New York prostitute."
Quick as lightning Colonel Allen hurled his cup of hot coffee in Dill's face, following it up with a sugar bowl, castor, and walked out of the room. Dill was carried out bleeding. This occurred February 10, 1885. On the 12th Dill challenged Colonel Allen to mortal combat, which challenge was promptly accepted--time and place, at Antone, in the State of Sonora, Mexico, on the 22d instant, at a distance of sixty feet, with Colt's 45-calibre pistols, at sunrise.
Colonel Allen received the following:
Phoenix, Arizona, February 12,1885. (6 o'clock P. M.)
Dear Sir--I see from a paper that Dill is forcing you into a combat with him. He declares you shall have him to fight or you shall leave the city. Knowing you to be a stranger, I herewith tender you my services, knowing that you are not in the least to blame.
Fraternally yours,
Colonel L. M. Allen:
O. H. BELL,
Late Lieutenant-Colonel Union Army
The reply:
Phoenix, Arizona, February 12,1885. (6:30 P. M.)
Colonel O. H. Bell:
I accept your offer with grateful thanks, and ask you to meet me immediately on receipt of this note at 72 South Street, for a conference.
Yours fraternally,
L. M. ALLEN.
Late Colonel Confederate States Army.
[18] After an interview of Colonels Allen and Bell, Colonel Bell sought Dill's second, whose name was Clark. They came to an agreement and carried on all correspondence between the contending parties. From that time Colonel Bell was Colonel Allen's constant companion until after the battle. These two great antagonists during the late Civil War would now walk out of evenings, arm in arm, engaged in conversation in confidential tones, paying no attention to anything around them, their appearance indicating much affection for each other.
Finally the day arrives; both parties are on the ground with their surgeons and seconds; Dill to gratify an evil, overbearing spirit--Colonel Allen to vindicate the honor of those he loves.
The ground being measured and staked, the seconds station the combatants with their right sides toward each other, their pistols pointing toward the ground. Just at sunrise the word is given; both parties fire at the same time. Colonel Allen received Dill's shot through his lower abdomen and left hip, dreadfully lacerating it, his life's blood flowing from the wound. He sees his antagonist fall on his face, and in five minutes he has expired, the shot taking effect at his right nipple, ranging about his heart.
It was decided by the seconds that the fight was according to the code, and both being considered expert pistol shots, account for the fatality of the shot of Colonel Allen.
The victor was soon bandaged, the blood gradually ceased to flow and he was conveyed to or near Fort Thomas on the Gila River, where he was confined and suffered greatly for four months.
Phoenix, Arizona, July 10, 1886.
Dear Sir--Yours of the 20th ult., is at hand and contents noted. I give you the particulars you desire regarding the fatal duel between Colonels Allen and Dill, I see it published in various papers, giving a true version of the affair. It is conceded here that Colonel Allen did the right thing in sustaining the honor of his country. Further, Dill being a large, robust man, aged about 27 years, thought he could treat the old battle-scarred soldier as it suited his overbearing nature. Colonel Allen's conduct here was that of a real gentleman in every respect. Dill did not know who he was talking to; he did not have the experience with Southern men that we Union soldiers had or he would have been more cautious.
Colonel Allen was captured at Roanoke Island by our army; there [19] I formed his acquaintance. I found him pleasant and manly, but true and firm in his convictions of the righteousness of the Southern cause.
The next time we met was in this city; I was in the dining room when Dill made the onslaught on Colonel Allen. Dill's first abuse was of the men of the South, Colonel Allen making no reply. Dill made a vicious attack on the chastity of the women of the South. He then found he had aroused a lion in his den--Colonel Allen resented it with such force that he knocked Dill prostrate on the floor and walked out of the room.
Dill had said the day previous that he would make that "Old Devil from the South leave the city." (Alluding to Colonel Allen)
Two days after the difficulty at the hotel table Mr. Dill sent a challenge to Colonel Allen that Allen had him to fight or leave the city. Knowing Colonel Allen to be a stranger and the only Southern man here I hastened to send him a note tendering my services to him, which he gratefully accepted. We were together from the 12th of February 1885, until the 22d. and in all our intercourse Colonel Allen proved himself a gentleman of honor, unselfish, brave. but generous, cool and apparently unconcerned. On the 20th l received a demand from Dill's second that Colonel Allen make a public apology for his conduct at the hotel table for assaulting Dill; that an apology made publicly was the only means to stop the shedding of blood. Just see how selfish some people can be. He was informed that no apology would be made; that it was due only from Dill.
After testing Colonel Allen's marksmanship I found him to be an excellent shot, quick and to the mark; I was not afraid to risk him. When on the field at Sonora, Mexico, on the morning of February 22, 1885, the combatants were called to their posts, I stationed Colonel Allen and gave him his revolver; I bade him good-bye. He took, me by the hand warmly and smiled. My prayer was for his success.
The tall old soldier stood apparently, unconcerned, but his shot told his skill. His wound was severe but he bore it patiently. We feel that he acted nobly. He staked his life for the honor of Southern womanhood. How many such men have you in the South? The Colonel came near bleeding to death and will suffer from his wound while he lives.
On our return to Arizona from Mexico, Colonel Allen remarked to me that he feared some might think that he had overleaped the bounds of prudence, and if he died from his wound, that he desired me to publish all the particulars, that the public might understand it in its proper light. His whole course of conduct in the affair was altogether commendable. He is truly devoted to the South and will sustain its honor. He was not to blame in the least in the unfortunate affair: such insults being thrust at him he could not help but resist them. I feel honored that I served so worthy a man. He should have the respect and gratitude of the whole South, for it was no small affair for a man in a strange land and unknown to any party to stand the test as Colonel Allen has done. You in the South, and especially the ladies, will certainly care for him, when he placed his life between them and their assailant. Enclosed I forward to you Colonel Allen's letter, which I was to have published in case he was killed. I am, Captain, respectfully,
Captain Gaston, Asheville, N.C.:
Your obedient servant,
O. H. BELL.
[20]
Phoenix, Arizona, February 21, 1885.
Having been born and raised in the Sunny South, in the great State of North Carolina, I am, therefore, devoted to the land of my birth. I revere the South and her institutions; and in all her perplexities--in adversity or prosperity--I am with her. I served faithfully in the Confederate Army all through the late Civil War between the States. Since then I have abided by the laws of the land and submitted to the authorities that be. I have none other but a good feeling for the true Federal soldier. I would take by the hand him who made my scars and welcome him to such as I have.
I am called to the field of honor to-morrow to vindicate the fair fame of our beloved women of my own Southland. This is occasioned by a challenge made to me on the 12th inst. by one Dill, who had reflected upon the character of our Southern loved ones, and which re flection I had promptly and severely punished.
I am at a great distance from home and friends--among strangers--but Colonel Bell, late of the Union Army, has kindly tendered his services to me, which I have gratefully accepted.
I have well considered the matter and feel it my imperative duty to meet all such foes all along the line! Should I fall in the encounter, Colonel Bell pledges his word to me that he will give a true statement of all the facts relative to the difficulty through the Southern press.
God bless the ladies of the South! I well remember their self-denial, their great energy and true devotion to the Southern cause; their grief and distress at the loss of husbands, brothers and friends during the great struggle between the States. There is not a lady of mature age who has not felt its pangs. All honor to them. I beg it will not be considered rash in me in my meeting this wanton traducer of the noble women of the South.
To my friends throughout the Sunny South and more especially my comrades late in arms:
Yours for Southern honor,
L. M. ALLEN.
So soon as Colonel Allen got able to travel he returned to his home in Benton County, Arkansas. After resting with his family a short time he went to Western North Carolina to visit his old home and friends, and also to look after some property he had left there belonging to his wife. After an absence of twenty-four years he found many of his old friends and war comrades, who received him with much warmth and real affection, they remembering how he, with a few other brave souls, saved the western part of the State of North Carolina from being overrun and entirely. devastated during the latter part of the Civil War by the most merciless scoundrels that ever lived. They are to-day living off the labor of honest men whom they robbed, every thief of them being a United States pensioner, and able to prove anything they wish by their clan.
[21] Colonel Allen finding his wife's lands occupied he search ed the records and found that some of his enemies, who were justly owing him, claimed him to be in their debt in large amounts, committing perjury in endeavoring to sustain their claims. In his absence they had sold most of his land to settle those unjust debts. This was done during the dark days in our State while Holden ruled supreme and when a Confederate had but little show in the courts which they claimed to be courts of justice. It was at the time Holden suspended the writ of habeas corpus and had this same murderer and outlaw called Kirk, of East Tennessee, raiding on our people, arresting and confining many of its best citizens in prison.
It was a time when the Southern man here had no protection; when Kirk's men would go to good Southern citizens, in Madison County, and say to them: "You damaged me in the war and if you do not pay me a certain amount we will kill you." Such was the state of affairs in Madison County, at that time. It was on those grounds that they claimed a large amount of Colonel Allen and seized his property.
So Colonel Allen, finding his property in this condition, entered suit for its recovery. Then they were going to kill him anyway, and to prejudice the growing up generation they circulated all manner of falsehoods, stating that he killed numerous children who lived among them in time of the war. They have made three attempts to take his life since his return, dropping unsigned letters in the post offices, breathing threats of vengeance. He received one at Asheville the 6th of June, 1892, stating that there would be a troop in Asheville on the night of the 7th to take his life. This letter had no signature. The Colonel remained at Asheville several days to receive them, but they did not put in their appearance. As to killing children, it is as false as they are corrupt. There was a lad by the name of Chandler--they claimed him to be only sixteen years old--he was armed and one of the most desperate among the outlaws in entering houses, robbing and knocking old women and old men about with his gun. He was killed among others. One main cause of their hatred for Colonel Allen is because he so often met them when they were robbing, which caused them to fail in carrying off their booty and of carrying back all their comrades. But there is no danger of their meeting him openly to his face. They desire to catch him unprepared, for they remember him in the days that are past.
The writer is reliably informed that for twenty years after the war, when their children were unruly, mothers, in order [22] to quiet them, would tell them that "Allen is coming with his soldiers!"
Thus it was unfortunate for Colonel Allen that be was detailed by the department to do service in his own country, where he cannot now live in safety. That he did his full duty all along the line is not questioned. He often fed all his men from his own pocket. His noble wife kept her table ever ready to feed passing Confederate soldiers going to and from the army, taking care of the sick and sending them to their homes; but for their safety Colonel Allen and his family had to vacate their pleasant home and settle among strangers. The Colonel broken down, wounded and unable to labor, and yet they war upon him with their evil and false tongues; but we are glad to say that many good people yet live who know it all to be false, as the following letter will show:
As a citizen, Colonel Allen was a model; as a soldier, he distinguished himself in every engagement of the many in which he participated. He was five times promoted for gallant conduct. He was a modest gentleman, never using profane language. I have not the language to do him full justice, but the noble services rendered his country, with his many manly characteristics, will engrave his name on the hearts of all North Carolinians as a typical representative of true Southern manhood.
[23] I have given this true narrative of Colonel Allen, first be cause he deserves it; second, because he was so badly treated by the enemy, and still persecuted and misrepresented by Kirk's men. Being with him in all his campaigns, I have given what I know to be facts relative to his war record. As to his encounter in Mexico, I have the greatest abundance of proof of its accuracy.
I cannot close this sketch, imperfect though it is, without some reference to the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Keith and others, of Madison County, who were with Colonel Allen in the darkest part of the memorable civil struggle: At Mars Hill he did great service with his skilled sharpshooters. Captain Charley Roberts, a brave, true and gallant soldier was killed in an engagement with Kirk's robbers. Captain William Keith and Lieutenant J. B. Peek, Captain L. W. Peek and Lieutenant W. C. Garrison, Captain D. W. Anderson and Lieutenant J. J. Duyck, with their brave private soldiers, did valuable service between the lines, scouting regular in the mountains of North Carolina and East Tennessee.
The gallant J. S. McElroy, Colonel of the 16th North Carolina Regiment, than whom a better soldier never left the State, being badly wounded at Chancellorsville and retired, did valuable service in Western North Carolina the last year of the war, while he was greatly suffering from his wound.
The foregoing is from a veteran of limited education, but all can understand its purport.
A. P. GASTON.