Cicero and Columbus Allen at Lake Providence...

"CICERO AND COLUMBUS"

2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, Co. C. (May 15, 1862)

A cavalry company formed in Providence, Carroll Parish on Aug. 10, 1861. The courageous and resourceful Lieutenant Cicero M. Allen and Lieutenant Allen and all the brave Louisianans engaged in the skirmish at Newport News, Virginia. The 1st sacrifice of the South was Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Dreux. Cicero & Columbus Allen, Bailey V. Vinson and McVicker carried his body from the field.

While in Briton's Lane, Tennessee, Cicero Allen was wounded and made prisoner. After being carried to a Federal hospital where they dressed his wounds he walked out of the hospital and found the surgeons horse - leaped into the saddle and fled into the darkness. Afterwards he was called "The One-Armed Scout".

The Briarfield Rebels fought in Tennessee and later in eastern Louisiana. The company enlisted in Confederate service at Memphis, Tennessee, on September 1, 1861, and was assigned as Co. D. of the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry.

(another 'Briarfield Rebels' story "The Twins")

Allen, Cicero M. (Esq)
In May of 1869 C. M. Allen was serving as chairman of the committee on subscriptions for the Grace Episcopal Church, secured $1,500 for building purposes.

[NEWSPAPER]: Jan. 12, 1867. Dissolution of co-partnership of the late firm of Allen & Aicklen. The successors to said firm are Messrs. C. M. Allen & Bro., composed of Cicero M. Allen and Columbus H. Allen, of New Orleans, both of whom are well known by this community as active business men. C. M. Allen & Bro.'s Dry Goods & Groceries. Cicero M. was a energetic and popular manager of the establishment and was one of the most enterprising merchants to be found anywhere.

[NEWSPAPER]: May 7, 1867 MARRIED At the residence of the bride's father, on Tuesday evening, the 30th ult., by Rev Dr. Sansome, of Vicksburg, Miss Sallie McCarroll and Mr. Cicero M. Allen, of this parish. Columbus, his twin brother was married the same day in New Orleans. On Aug 8, 1868 a Democratic Club was organized with Cicero M. Allen nominated as Treasurer.

Cicero enlisted at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, February 21, 1862; transferred to Co. C, 2nd Arkansas Cavalry, May 15, 1862; appointed first sergeant, June 1, 1862; wounded at Denmark, Tennessee, September 1, 1862; appointed third lieutenant, March 27, 1863; captured at Coldwater, Tennessee, November 3, 1863; sent to U.S. Military Prison, Camp Chase, Ohio; transferred to U.S. Military Prison, Johnson’s Island, Ohio; exchanged; captured at Charleston, Virginia, February 23, 1864; sent to U.S. Military Prison, Fort Delaware; exchanged; promoted second lieutenant, July 20, 1864; paroled at Jackson, Mississippi, May 13, 1865 (gave his address as New Orleans, Louisiana); born c1842 in Holmes county, Mississippi; eyes blue, hair light, complexion light, height 5’ 8”; occupation clerk.

Allen was called "The One-Armed Scout". While he was at Briton's Lane, TX. he was wounded in the arm and made prisoner; his horse was killed in the charge. While at the Federal hospital where his wounds were dressed he walked out of the building, he leaped upon the saddle of the surgeons horse and went into the shelter of the darkness and was soon outside of the enemy's lines. He carried the battle flage of his regiment at Shiloh, until ordered by General Hindman to replace his twin brother. Allen was made Lieutenant at Ponchatoula. His 1st affair was with the small tin-clad vessel, the "Lafitte", around the Amite River. In her efforts to get away the vessel ran upon a snag and was blown up. Allen's men got possession of a schooner, and one of the men dived into the water and secured the gun by a rope and slip knot. Allen's detail of men (2 in number) came upon a yawl of nine Federals, jumped ashore from the schooner prepared an ambush. Allen commanded all to fire, killing the commander of their squad. The remainder jumped in the water and swam to the woods. Allen and his two men kept up the attack. Allen, not disclosing his real number of soldiers, ordered "Cease firing!", then calling upon several imaginary companions to "Halt!" he boldly marched forward and received the surrender of the whole party, two officers being among the number. By himself he rounded up the prisoners, taking their arms and ammunition, and boarded them on the schooner. "Camp Fire Stories of the Mississippi Valley Campaign", by Marie Louise Benton.

 

Allen, Columbus H.
Columbus enlisted at Corinth, Mississippi, April 1, 1862; transferred to Co. C, 2nd Arkansas Cavalry, May 15, 1862; transferred to Co. G, 14th Confederate Cavalry, and appointed third lieutenant.

NEWSPAPER: May 7, 1867 MARRIED in the city of New Orleans, Miss Emma Postlewaithe and Mr. Columbus H. Allen. His brother Cicero was married the same day in Vicksburg, at the bride's father's residence.

"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.” “Camp-fire Stories of the Mississippi Campaign”, by Mary Louise Benton.