Biography researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock (EveyBl). Please do not publish elsewhere without providing proper credit. Thank you. (Rev 17 Oct 2015)
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Alvin Allen was born in New York in 1811. He married Salley Ann Beach in East Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, on 26 January 1839. This marriage record states they were both living in Bristol at the time of their marriage. By 1845, the family had moved to Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. This location is recorded on the birth record for daughter Lurana. In 1847, the family was residing in Walled Lake, Oakland County, for the birth of son Arnold. By 1850, they had moved to Commerce, also in Oakland County. And, by 1855, they had moved to Bruce, in Macomb County.
When enlisting, Alvin provided an incorrect birthdate, stating his age as 44 rather than 52. Family tradition has that he took the place of his son, Luman, when the call to serve came. The family could not afford to pay a substitute to take Luman's place, and Alvin wanted to ensure that his son could live a full life with a wife and children. Perhaps Alvin felt his age and experience would give him an advantage over his son on the battlefield, but that age certainly did not provide an advantage once he was taken as a prisoner of war.
Military records show Alvin receiving a $60 bounty and $13 in advance pay when he volunteered on 29 March 1864. He was described as 5'11" with blue eyes, light hair and a light complexion. Alvin mustered into the 10th Regiment, Company F of the Michigan Volunteers, on 15 April 1864 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. His last date of pay was just two weeks later, on 29 April 1864. Alvin appears on muster rolls for his company as late as August 1864, yet his whereabouts are not recorded. From this, it appears that he may have been captured in early May. The specifics of how, when and where Alvin were first taken prisoner are currently unknown, but his original place of interment is believed to be an unnamed and perhaps temporary prisoner camp. As the Union forces moved closer to Atlanta, many of the prisoners in these smaller camps were transferred to Andersonville, and Alvin was among them.
The Confederacy's prison at Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was known officially, held an estimated 45,000 prisoners over the course of its existence -- more than any other Confederate military prison. It was built in early 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the Federal prisoners around Richmond to a place of greater security. Though a list of prisoners does exist for this prison, it has become clear over the years that many of those who suffered there remain unrecorded on these rolls, including Alvin. It appears that in the chaotic state that existed within the Confederacy at that time, records were lax... either from an inability to keep up with the influx, or perhaps from a desire to hide the atrocities that occurred there.
By August 1864, over 33,000 men were imprisoned at Andersonville, in a space that was only intended to house 10,000 men. Almost 13,000 of these prisoners died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure. In September 1864, as William T. Sherman's advancing army approached, most of Andersonville's able-bodied inmates were sent to other camps, including Alvin. He had survived the conditions in Andersonville, but the move proved too great in his weakened condition.
Pension records state that Alvin died of chronic diarrhea/chronic dysentery. The Adjutant General's report stated the cause of death as typhoid fever, which is in agreement with the hospital log. Regardless of the specific term used, it is certain that Alvin suffered an agonizing death. The diary of another prisoner, Michigan cavalryman John Ransom, described the experience: "There is so much filth about the camp that it is terrible trying to live here. With sunken eyes, blackened countenances from pitch pine smoke, rags, and disease, the men look sickening. The air reeks with nastiness. Since the day I was born, I never saw such misery."
Alvin died in the 3rd Division 14th Army Corps Hospital, which at the time was located at or near Atlanta, Georgia. This bivouac hospital had been established by Union forces, but was captured near Fort Oglethorpe by the Confederacy on 20 September 1864. While a headstone located in Lum Cemetery (now called Arcadia Township Cemetery) in Lapeer County, Michigan, places Alvin Allen's death on 15 October 1864, the U.S. Adjutant General's report and hospital records place his death on 2 October 1864. The interment record for the relocation of his grave from Atlanta (Alvin's original place of burial) to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, places his death on 17 October 1864. There are also several inconsistencies regarding dates and places on the affadavit provided by his remarried widow, Salley, when applying for a pension to assist their minor children. His possessions at death were recorded as one coat, two shirts, one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, one pair of spectacles, one portfolio and one Soldier's Companion (a book of songs and prayers that was carried by many Union soldiers).
When the War ended, Captain Henry Wirz, the prison's commandant, was arrested and charged with endeavoring to "impair and injure the health and destroy the lives... of Federal prisoners" and "murder in violation of the laws of war." Tried and found guilty by a military tribunal, Wirz was hanged in Washington, D.C., on 10 November 1865. He was the only person executed for war crimes during the Civil War.
NOTE: Alvin's original place of burial was Atlanta, Georgia. His grave was moved to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, after its construction in 1866. The marker in Lum Cemetery is a CENOTAPH for Alvin and a headstone for Salley.
Children of Alvin and Salley include:
-Mary Jane Allen m. (1) Herman Donaldson, (2) Samuel Fishell
-Luman N. Allen m. (1) Elizabeth Balch, (2) Mary Atwell
-Lurana Allen m. (1) James Austin, (2) Hiram Hogh, (3) Sylvester Fox
-Arnold Allen m. Elizabeth Young
-James Sidney Allen m. Elva Veroca Nelson
-Adeline Cynthia Allen m. William Wendt
-Alfred Alvin Allen m. Mary Jane Stanlake
-Sarah Louisa Allen m. George Isaac Hazelwood
-Ruth Ann Allen m. Almon Beagle
----------
Alvin Allen was born in New York in 1811. He married Salley Ann Beach in East Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, on 26 January 1839. This marriage record states they were both living in Bristol at the time of their marriage. By 1845, the family had moved to Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. This location is recorded on the birth record for daughter Lurana. In 1847, the family was residing in Walled Lake, Oakland County, for the birth of son Arnold. By 1850, they had moved to Commerce, also in Oakland County. And, by 1855, they had moved to Bruce, in Macomb County.
When enlisting, Alvin provided an incorrect birthdate, stating his age as 44 rather than 52. Family tradition has that he took the place of his son, Luman, when the call to serve came. The family could not afford to pay a substitute to take Luman's place, and Alvin wanted to ensure that his son could live a full life with a wife and children. Perhaps Alvin felt his age and experience would give him an advantage over his son on the battlefield, but that age certainly did not provide an advantage once he was taken as a prisoner of war.
Military records show Alvin receiving a $60 bounty and $13 in advance pay when he volunteered on 29 March 1864. He was described as 5'11" with blue eyes, light hair and a light complexion. Alvin mustered into the 10th Regiment, Company F of the Michigan Volunteers, on 15 April 1864 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. His last date of pay was just two weeks later, on 29 April 1864. Alvin appears on muster rolls for his company as late as August 1864, yet his whereabouts are not recorded. From this, it appears that he may have been captured in early May. The specifics of how, when and where Alvin were first taken prisoner are currently unknown, but his original place of interment is believed to be an unnamed and perhaps temporary prisoner camp. As the Union forces moved closer to Atlanta, many of the prisoners in these smaller camps were transferred to Andersonville, and Alvin was among them.
The Confederacy's prison at Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was known officially, held an estimated 45,000 prisoners over the course of its existence -- more than any other Confederate military prison. It was built in early 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the Federal prisoners around Richmond to a place of greater security. Though a list of prisoners does exist for this prison, it has become clear over the years that many of those who suffered there remain unrecorded on these rolls, including Alvin. It appears that in the chaotic state that existed within the Confederacy at that time, records were lax... either from an inability to keep up with the influx, or perhaps from a desire to hide the atrocities that occurred there.
By August 1864, over 33,000 men were imprisoned at Andersonville, in a space that was only intended to house 10,000 men. Almost 13,000 of these prisoners died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure. In September 1864, as William T. Sherman's advancing army approached, most of Andersonville's able-bodied inmates were sent to other camps, including Alvin. He had survived the conditions in Andersonville, but the move proved too great in his weakened condition.
Pension records state that Alvin died of chronic diarrhea/chronic dysentery. The Adjutant General's report stated the cause of death as typhoid fever, which is in agreement with the hospital log. Regardless of the specific term used, it is certain that Alvin suffered an agonizing death. The diary of another prisoner, Michigan cavalryman John Ransom, described the experience: "There is so much filth about the camp that it is terrible trying to live here. With sunken eyes, blackened countenances from pitch pine smoke, rags, and disease, the men look sickening. The air reeks with nastiness. Since the day I was born, I never saw such misery."
Alvin died in the 3rd Division 14th Army Corps Hospital, which at the time was located at or near Atlanta, Georgia. This bivouac hospital had been established by Union forces, but was captured near Fort Oglethorpe by the Confederacy on 20 September 1864. While a headstone located in Lum Cemetery (now called Arcadia Township Cemetery) in Lapeer County, Michigan, places Alvin Allen's death on 15 October 1864, the U.S. Adjutant General's report and hospital records place his death on 2 October 1864. The interment record for the relocation of his grave from Atlanta (Alvin's original place of burial) to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, places his death on 17 October 1864. There are also several inconsistencies regarding dates and places on the affadavit provided by his remarried widow, Salley, when applying for a pension to assist their minor children. His possessions at death were recorded as one coat, two shirts, one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, one pair of spectacles, one portfolio and one Soldier's Companion (a book of songs and prayers that was carried by many Union soldiers).
When the War ended, Captain Henry Wirz, the prison's commandant, was arrested and charged with endeavoring to "impair and injure the health and destroy the lives... of Federal prisoners" and "murder in violation of the laws of war." Tried and found guilty by a military tribunal, Wirz was hanged in Washington, D.C., on 10 November 1865. He was the only person executed for war crimes during the Civil War.
NOTE: Alvin's original place of burial was Atlanta, Georgia. His grave was moved to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, after its construction in 1866. The marker in Lum Cemetery is a CENOTAPH for Alvin and a headstone for Salley.
Children of Alvin and Salley include:
-Mary Jane Allen m. (1) Herman Donaldson, (2) Samuel Fishell
-Luman N. Allen m. (1) Elizabeth Balch, (2) Mary Atwell
-Lurana Allen m. (1) James Austin, (2) Hiram Hogh, (3) Sylvester Fox
-Arnold Allen m. Elizabeth Young
-James Sidney Allen m. Elva Veroca Nelson
-Adeline Cynthia Allen m. William Wendt
-Alfred Alvin Allen m. Mary Jane Stanlake
-Sarah Louisa Allen m. George Isaac Hazelwood
-Ruth Ann Allen m. Almon Beagle
Biography researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock (EveyBl). Please do not publish elsewhere without providing proper credit. Thank you. (Rev 17 Oct 2015)
----------
Alvin Allen was born in New York in 1811. He married Salley Ann Beach in East Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, on 26 January 1839. This marriage record states they were both living in Bristol at the time of their marriage. By 1845, the family had moved to Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. This location is recorded on the birth record for daughter Lurana. In 1847, the family was residing in Walled Lake, Oakland County, for the birth of son Arnold. By 1850, they had moved to Commerce, also in Oakland County. And, by 1855, they had moved to Bruce, in Macomb County.
When enlisting, Alvin provided an incorrect birthdate, stating his age as 44 rather than 52. Family tradition has that he took the place of his son, Luman, when the call to serve came. The family could not afford to pay a substitute to take Luman's place, and Alvin wanted to ensure that his son could live a full life with a wife and children. Perhaps Alvin felt his age and experience would give him an advantage over his son on the battlefield, but that age certainly did not provide an advantage once he was taken as a prisoner of war.
Military records show Alvin receiving a $60 bounty and $13 in advance pay when he volunteered on 29 March 1864. He was described as 5'11" with blue eyes, light hair and a light complexion. Alvin mustered into the 10th Regiment, Company F of the Michigan Volunteers, on 15 April 1864 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. His last date of pay was just two weeks later, on 29 April 1864. Alvin appears on muster rolls for his company as late as August 1864, yet his whereabouts are not recorded. From this, it appears that he may have been captured in early May. The specifics of how, when and where Alvin were first taken prisoner are currently unknown, but his original place of interment is believed to be an unnamed and perhaps temporary prisoner camp. As the Union forces moved closer to Atlanta, many of the prisoners in these smaller camps were transferred to Andersonville, and Alvin was among them.
The Confederacy's prison at Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was known officially, held an estimated 45,000 prisoners over the course of its existence -- more than any other Confederate military prison. It was built in early 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the Federal prisoners around Richmond to a place of greater security. Though a list of prisoners does exist for this prison, it has become clear over the years that many of those who suffered there remain unrecorded on these rolls, including Alvin. It appears that in the chaotic state that existed within the Confederacy at that time, records were lax... either from an inability to keep up with the influx, or perhaps from a desire to hide the atrocities that occurred there.
By August 1864, over 33,000 men were imprisoned at Andersonville, in a space that was only intended to house 10,000 men. Almost 13,000 of these prisoners died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure. In September 1864, as William T. Sherman's advancing army approached, most of Andersonville's able-bodied inmates were sent to other camps, including Alvin. He had survived the conditions in Andersonville, but the move proved too great in his weakened condition.
Pension records state that Alvin died of chronic diarrhea/chronic dysentery. The Adjutant General's report stated the cause of death as typhoid fever, which is in agreement with the hospital log. Regardless of the specific term used, it is certain that Alvin suffered an agonizing death. The diary of another prisoner, Michigan cavalryman John Ransom, described the experience: "There is so much filth about the camp that it is terrible trying to live here. With sunken eyes, blackened countenances from pitch pine smoke, rags, and disease, the men look sickening. The air reeks with nastiness. Since the day I was born, I never saw such misery."
Alvin died in the 3rd Division 14th Army Corps Hospital, which at the time was located at or near Atlanta, Georgia. This bivouac hospital had been established by Union forces, but was captured near Fort Oglethorpe by the Confederacy on 20 September 1864. While a headstone located in Lum Cemetery (now called Arcadia Township Cemetery) in Lapeer County, Michigan, places Alvin Allen's death on 15 October 1864, the U.S. Adjutant General's report and hospital records place his death on 2 October 1864. The interment record for the relocation of his grave from Atlanta (Alvin's original place of burial) to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, places his death on 17 October 1864. There are also several inconsistencies regarding dates and places on the affadavit provided by his remarried widow, Salley, when applying for a pension to assist their minor children. His possessions at death were recorded as one coat, two shirts, one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, one pair of spectacles, one portfolio and one Soldier's Companion (a book of songs and prayers that was carried by many Union soldiers).
When the War ended, Captain Henry Wirz, the prison's commandant, was arrested and charged with endeavoring to "impair and injure the health and destroy the lives... of Federal prisoners" and "murder in violation of the laws of war." Tried and found guilty by a military tribunal, Wirz was hanged in Washington, D.C., on 10 November 1865. He was the only person executed for war crimes during the Civil War.
NOTE: Alvin's original place of burial was Atlanta, Georgia. His grave was moved to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, after its construction in 1866. The marker in Lum Cemetery is a CENOTAPH for Alvin and a headstone for Salley.
Children of Alvin and Salley include:
-Mary Jane Allen m. (1) Herman Donaldson, (2) Samuel Fishell
-Luman N. Allen m. (1) Elizabeth Balch, (2) Mary Atwell
-Lurana Allen m. (1) James Austin, (2) Hiram Hogh, (3) Sylvester Fox
-Arnold Allen m. Elizabeth Young
-James Sidney Allen m. Elva Veroca Nelson
-Adeline Cynthia Allen m. William Wendt
-Alfred Alvin Allen m. Mary Jane Stanlake
-Sarah Louisa Allen m. George Isaac Hazelwood
-Ruth Ann Allen m. Almon Beagle
----------
Alvin Allen was born in New York in 1811. He married Salley Ann Beach in East Bloomfield, Ontario, New York, on 26 January 1839. This marriage record states they were both living in Bristol at the time of their marriage. By 1845, the family had moved to Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. This location is recorded on the birth record for daughter Lurana. In 1847, the family was residing in Walled Lake, Oakland County, for the birth of son Arnold. By 1850, they had moved to Commerce, also in Oakland County. And, by 1855, they had moved to Bruce, in Macomb County.
When enlisting, Alvin provided an incorrect birthdate, stating his age as 44 rather than 52. Family tradition has that he took the place of his son, Luman, when the call to serve came. The family could not afford to pay a substitute to take Luman's place, and Alvin wanted to ensure that his son could live a full life with a wife and children. Perhaps Alvin felt his age and experience would give him an advantage over his son on the battlefield, but that age certainly did not provide an advantage once he was taken as a prisoner of war.
Military records show Alvin receiving a $60 bounty and $13 in advance pay when he volunteered on 29 March 1864. He was described as 5'11" with blue eyes, light hair and a light complexion. Alvin mustered into the 10th Regiment, Company F of the Michigan Volunteers, on 15 April 1864 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. His last date of pay was just two weeks later, on 29 April 1864. Alvin appears on muster rolls for his company as late as August 1864, yet his whereabouts are not recorded. From this, it appears that he may have been captured in early May. The specifics of how, when and where Alvin were first taken prisoner are currently unknown, but his original place of interment is believed to be an unnamed and perhaps temporary prisoner camp. As the Union forces moved closer to Atlanta, many of the prisoners in these smaller camps were transferred to Andersonville, and Alvin was among them.
The Confederacy's prison at Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was known officially, held an estimated 45,000 prisoners over the course of its existence -- more than any other Confederate military prison. It was built in early 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the Federal prisoners around Richmond to a place of greater security. Though a list of prisoners does exist for this prison, it has become clear over the years that many of those who suffered there remain unrecorded on these rolls, including Alvin. It appears that in the chaotic state that existed within the Confederacy at that time, records were lax... either from an inability to keep up with the influx, or perhaps from a desire to hide the atrocities that occurred there.
By August 1864, over 33,000 men were imprisoned at Andersonville, in a space that was only intended to house 10,000 men. Almost 13,000 of these prisoners died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure. In September 1864, as William T. Sherman's advancing army approached, most of Andersonville's able-bodied inmates were sent to other camps, including Alvin. He had survived the conditions in Andersonville, but the move proved too great in his weakened condition.
Pension records state that Alvin died of chronic diarrhea/chronic dysentery. The Adjutant General's report stated the cause of death as typhoid fever, which is in agreement with the hospital log. Regardless of the specific term used, it is certain that Alvin suffered an agonizing death. The diary of another prisoner, Michigan cavalryman John Ransom, described the experience: "There is so much filth about the camp that it is terrible trying to live here. With sunken eyes, blackened countenances from pitch pine smoke, rags, and disease, the men look sickening. The air reeks with nastiness. Since the day I was born, I never saw such misery."
Alvin died in the 3rd Division 14th Army Corps Hospital, which at the time was located at or near Atlanta, Georgia. This bivouac hospital had been established by Union forces, but was captured near Fort Oglethorpe by the Confederacy on 20 September 1864. While a headstone located in Lum Cemetery (now called Arcadia Township Cemetery) in Lapeer County, Michigan, places Alvin Allen's death on 15 October 1864, the U.S. Adjutant General's report and hospital records place his death on 2 October 1864. The interment record for the relocation of his grave from Atlanta (Alvin's original place of burial) to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, places his death on 17 October 1864. There are also several inconsistencies regarding dates and places on the affadavit provided by his remarried widow, Salley, when applying for a pension to assist their minor children. His possessions at death were recorded as one coat, two shirts, one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, one pair of spectacles, one portfolio and one Soldier's Companion (a book of songs and prayers that was carried by many Union soldiers).
When the War ended, Captain Henry Wirz, the prison's commandant, was arrested and charged with endeavoring to "impair and injure the health and destroy the lives... of Federal prisoners" and "murder in violation of the laws of war." Tried and found guilty by a military tribunal, Wirz was hanged in Washington, D.C., on 10 November 1865. He was the only person executed for war crimes during the Civil War.
NOTE: Alvin's original place of burial was Atlanta, Georgia. His grave was moved to the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, after its construction in 1866. The marker in Lum Cemetery is a CENOTAPH for Alvin and a headstone for Salley.
Children of Alvin and Salley include:
-Mary Jane Allen m. (1) Herman Donaldson, (2) Samuel Fishell
-Luman N. Allen m. (1) Elizabeth Balch, (2) Mary Atwell
-Lurana Allen m. (1) James Austin, (2) Hiram Hogh, (3) Sylvester Fox
-Arnold Allen m. Elizabeth Young
-James Sidney Allen m. Elva Veroca Nelson
-Adeline Cynthia Allen m. William Wendt
-Alfred Alvin Allen m. Mary Jane Stanlake
-Sarah Louisa Allen m. George Isaac Hazelwood
-Ruth Ann Allen m. Almon Beagle
