Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-16
WAR SKETCHES.
INCIDENTS IN THE CAREER OF A
NEW ORLEANS CONFEDERATE.
Illustrating the Old Age that Truth is
Stranger than Fiction.
New Orleans PiCayune.

| wow OIlehnh FlCayune
Many histories of the civil war hav
been written, and the public is entirel,
familiar with the story of that struggle
Yet, it is only during the last few year,
that great mass of personal experien
ces and thrilling episodes have beer
brought to light through the medium
of the press, particularly tho Philadel
phia Times. TO many readers the mar
ration Ofpersonal adventures by field ant
flood are far more interesting than tn
account, often mOnOtOnons, Of serie
of battles or complicated military move
mepts.
In the Confederate service were many
soldiers from Louisiana, whose feats OF
arms and daring exploits may well form
the theme Of intensely interesting mar,
ratives.
The writer proposes, in the following
article, TO relate some ofthe hair-breadth
escapes and exciting adventures of a
man who was widely noted for bravery
and reckless daring,
CICERO NJ. ALLEN,
the twin brother of Columbus H. Allen,
o well-known merchant of this city. Al
len was born in Yazoo City, in August,
1910, and came to New Orleans when
only years old. At the time of the
breaking out Of the war, he was clerk in
the house Of Mr.. Gordon, now a member
Of the firm of Gordon g. Gomila. He en-
listed on April Is. 1861, in Company a."
Crescent Rifles, afterwards incorporated
into Dreux's Battalion, and served in
the Peninsula campaign, being present
at the skirmish in which Col. Dreux lost
his life. In tho winter of 1861 re was
promoted to lieutenancy in Edmon-
sons Battalion, then organizing in New
Orleans, to which place he returned and
reported for duty. Finding that the
battalion was only partially organized,
and there being o call for troops to 20 to
Fort Donelson, he resigned his position
in Ednonson's Battalion and started for
Donelson.. That fort fell before his ar
rival, aud no joined the Confederate
army, then retreatiDg from Nashville, as
a private soldier in the Briariield Rebels
of Pilfer's Arkansas Cavalry. He passed
through a series of engagements, and
was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
About this time occurred the fight at
Britton's Lane, Tenn. The Confederate
troops were greatly annoyed by a piece
Of Federal artillery posted in an advan-
tageous position. Allen asked permission
to charge the gun, and this request being
granted, he advanced with about twenty
men and captured the piece, which was
retaken, and every man and horse in
the party, except two, killed or wound
cd. Allen received severe wound in
the right arm, tho ball penetrating at
9he wrist, ranging upward and coming
out at the elbow. Several bones were bro
ken, and this member was ever afterwards
useless. He was made prisoner and was
taken to a hospital near by, where his
wound was dressed by surgeon. This
being accomplished. Allen watched his
opportunity, and while the attendants
were occupied elsewhere, he rose from
the bed, threw on tho overcoat of a. Fed
eral soldier, slipped from the building,
and mounting the surgeons horse that
stood at tile door, made his way safely
BACK TO THE CONFEDERATE LINES,
having been absent only three days. He
was laid up from tho wound for some
time, but participated in the battle of
Shiloh, and succeeded to his brother G..
II. Allen, (who had also been
wounded }, Us an aid to Gen. Hindmau,