ALLEN, BENJAMIN RICHARD (1843~1914) Benjamin Richard Allen, Confederate veteran, was born in Orange County, Texas in 1843. On May 7, 1862, Allen, at age 19, enlisted in the Confederate Army at Camp Kyle, where he was mustered into service in Company G of the 26th Texas Cavalry, DeBrays Brigade.
Little of Allens experiences in the war are known, but according to regimental histories, he reported to Galveston Island, where, he and his fellow troops were employed in patrolling the coast. Allen spent almost the entire war in Texas under the Command of Colonel Xavier Blanchard DeBray, who is also buried in the Texas State Cemetery.
On January 1, 1863, the 26th Texas Cavalry took part in the battle that recaptured Galveston Island from the Union. In 1864, DeBray led his regiment in the Red River campaign in Louisiana. On March 24, 1865, Allen and the 26th Texas were discharged.
After the War, Allen moved to Heidenheimer, Bell County, Texas, where he was a farmer. In 1899, he applied for admittance into the Confederate Mens Home in Austin due to poor health. He moved in on August 8, 1900.
On April 3, 1903, Allen was moved from the Home to the Austin Lunatic Asylum, now called the Austin State Hospital, because he was suffering from melancholy. According to Hospital records, his actions of late were so different from his usual conduct that something wrong was suspicioned by every one, he became so nervous and restless and his actions were such that the inmates of the home are under constant apprehensions, rendering it necessary to place a guard over him. . . .
Allen escaped from the Asylum on May 13, 1904, and was returned and furloughed shortly after. He was returned to the Asylum on October 18, 1904, only to be furloughed again to the Confederate Home on December 2, 1907. After apparently returning to the Asylum, Allen was fully discharged on December 1, 1908, and more than likely returned to the Home.
On January 14, 1910, Allen was once again admitted to the Asylum, where he was suffering from the same problems as before. After only staying six days, he was discharged again on January 20. He returned to the Home again, where he was discharged, at his own request, on June 8, 1910.
While away from the Home, Allen stayed in Travis County, because he applied for a Confederate Pension in Travis County. His pension was approved on the same day that he moved back into the Home, August 31, 1910.
After living in the Home for another 4 years, Allen died on September 28, 1914, and was buried the next day in the Texas State Cemetery.
Information taken from Compiled Military Service Records, Soldiers Application for Pension # 19290, Confederate Home Roster, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Records, Death Certificate # 19439. |