Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Cicero & Columbus Allen, the Confederate Twins

The Briarfield Rebels did some fine service during the Siege of Port Hudson where the Briarfields were active in capturing a Federal wagon train. The advance guard in the venture was commanded by Columbus Allen, the twin brother of Cicero. Although a private, he had been mistaken for his brother by Colonel Powers. The brother availed himself of this opportunity for a good practical joke. Lieutenant Allen came into the left flank of the Federals and did some excellent fighting, capturing 100 wagons, 4 mules and about 40 prisoners, while 20 Federals were killed and wounded. To prevent any further mix-ups between the twins, Columbus Allen was transferred to another division.
From "Camp-fire Stories of the Mississippi Campaign", Marie Louise Benton Bankston

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