Alonzo  Dickinson

DICKINSON, ALONZO (1839 ~ 1912). Alonzo Dickinson, Confederate veteran, was born in Illinois in 1839. Dickinson moved to Texas in 1858, where he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private on August 1, 1862, and was assigned to the 1st Battalion Texas Sharpshooters, Company D.

The 1st Battalion Texas Sharp Shooters, also known as Burnett's Battalion was organized in the spring of 1862, in Grayson County. This battalion was assigned to move east to join Maxey's Brigade as part of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. The Texas Sharpshooters, along with Maxey's Brigade, engaged the armies commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant in the town of Vicksburg. The Battle of Vicksburg lasted two months, with an eventual Union victory.

Dickinson also saw action in Jackson, Mississippi from July 9th through July 17th in 1863. The 1st Battalion Texas Sharpshooters were later mounted and sent to Arkansas and Indian Territory where they were involved in minor engagements with Union Soldiers or American Indian tribes.

After the war, Alonzo Dickinson moved to Clark County, Arkansas, where he married his wife, Mary Ellen Dickinson, on December 27, 1889. The couple moved to Texas where they settled in Bosque County. Dickinson was scarcely able to provide for him and his wife and the two separated. Mary Ellen Dickinson eventually moved to Dallas, Texas where she died on October 25, 1925. Dickinson tried to deliver or send money to his wife whenever possible.

Alonzo Dickinson moved to Austin on January 2, 1908 and was admitted into the Confederate Men's Home. He lived there until his death on July 30, 1912. Due to his service to the Confederate Army and his residency in the Confederate Men's Home, he was buried at the Texas State Cemetery the following day.

It is unclear if Alonzo Dickinson and Mary Ellen Dickinson had any children together. However, Mary Ellen Dickinson did have at least one daughter by the name of Mabel Morrison, who lived in Dallas, Texas. Also, Confederate Men's Home records listed a S.A. Helton of Arkadelphia, Arkansas as contact person for Alonzo Dickinson. It is believed Helton could have been his daughter.

Biographical information taken from: National Parks Service at http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/; Vicksburg webpage at http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ms011.htm; Confederate Home Roster records, records obtained by the Texas State Archives and Texas State Cemetery file materials.