George R. Allen - The Last Roll

Confederate Veteran
Vol. 32, No. 4, Pg. 144
April 1924

George R. Allen was born in Moscow, Tenn., May 22, 1841, and enlisted with Terry’s Texas Rangers, 8th Texas Cavalry, Harrison’s Brigade, Wharton’s Division, Wheeler’s Corps, Army of Tennessee, at Bastrop, Tex., in August, 1861, was mustered into service at Houston, Tex., September 5, 1861, for the period of the war, served without transfer or furlough, and answered to its last roll call May 9, 1865.

He was in the first engagement of the regiment at Woodsonville, Ky., where Colonel Terry was killed, and also participated in the battles of Shiloh, Munfordsville, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Fort Donelson, Shelbyville, Chickamauga, and other engagements around Knoxville, Tenn., under Longstreet; Ringgold, Dalton, Dug Gap, Resaca, Cass Station, New Hope church, Newman, Waynesboro, Aiken, Bentonville, and many other engagements with the regiment.  The last commander of the company, as I call to mind, was Capt. Ferg Kyle, now of Kyle, Tex.

The regiment was first brigaded in December, 1862, just before the battle of Murfreesboro, with the 3rd Arkansas, 2nd Georgia, Bledsoe’s Battalion, Gen. John A. Wharton commanding the brigade, Wheeler’s Division.  In January, 1863, perhaps during the battle of Murfreesboro, the 11th Texas was remounted and became a part of the brigade, Wharton became a major general, and Col. Tom Harrison was made brigade commander, which was then known as Harrison’s Brigade, Wharton’s Division, Wheeler’s Corps, which was afterwards commanded by General Armstrong and others.

Comrade Allen had been an honored citizen of Fort Worth, Tex., for the past twenty-five years, and was a valued member of the R. E. Lee Camp, which he had served as Historian for several years, and also filled other offices.  He died on January 28, 1924, survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters.

            [J. M. Hartsfield, Commander R. E. Lee Camp.]