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The following information is from "History of the Allen Family" with a Spe cial Addition on Descendants of Daniel S. Bloodsworth and Sarah Ann Pelton -by Donald Lee Allen.
While living and farming with his parents in Liberty, DeKalb Co, TN, Jo hn on July 29, 1862, at the age of 19 years, enlisted in the Union's Feder al Army. Due to his age, it was required that his enlistment be approv ed by a guardian, Senator W. B. Stokes his neighbor and Regimental command er. He enlisted in Nashville, TN for 3 years duty and was assigned to C O. A, 5th Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers Calvary. His serial number was 77 0-771-5AA.
Why did he enlist in the Union Army? By July 1862, the Union Army had tak en control of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River and the Confederates h ad retreated to the South. Because of guerrilla forays, there was real da nger for the citizens. Senator Stokes' recruiting promise was to keep h is troops near their homes so they could protect them from the Confedera te marauders. They could also help out with the family chores.
Within five months of John's enlistment, his mother, Lucy W. Allen was dea d. Tennessee was a boarder state split between alliegence to the Unio n. One wonders how John M.'s family was treated as a result of his joini ng the Union Army. Was the death of his mother related to the guerrilla a ctivity in the area?
During his enlistment, his foot was caught between two freight trains in T ullahoma, TN which caused an impairment later to cause disability. Follow ing the conclusion of the Civil War, John was honorably discharged 25 Ju ly 1865 from the Army at Nashville, TN. For his mustering out pay, he dr ew $130.50.
His military records show he moved to Limestone County, TX. He later mov ed to Mansfield, Tarrant Co, TX where he farmed and was a carpenter. In J anuary of 1874 he joined the Masonic Lodge at MAnsfield where he and Dani el S. Bloodworth were listed as charter members.
Two years after the death of Daniel S. Bloodworth, John married his wido w, Sarah Ann Pelton Bloodworth in Ft. Worth, Tx. Daniel and Sarah had o ne daughter followed by six sons. Sarah and John had one son follow ed by six daughters.
John was injured when a beam he was working on hit him on head. This inju ry caused him to have fits at times; during these moments of depressio n, he often re-lived scenes of the war. One of these was concerned with h is execution of a "wire-cutter", a Confederate spy. His Company had captu red this Confederate intruder. The spy was to be court-martialed and sent enced to be shot. John asked that he be permitted to execute this saboteu r. His wish was granted, and he and the wire cutter rode from camp abo ut a mile where he shot the cutter to death with a horse pistol, relati ng how the man begged for his life.
This incident can be better understood by noting that John had lost his mo ther shortly after his enlistment. This may have been due to Southern gue rrilla activity in the area at the time.
On June 20, 1889, at the age of 46, records show that John requested an in valids pension from the Department of the Interior. Pension No. 720619 w as granted due to his injured foot.
John was a member of Woodman of the World Lodge. This is an old organizat ion that provided burial insurance.
John M. Allen is buried at Willow Point Cemetery, Willow Point, Wise Co, T x.
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d. 6 Aug 1923, Jermyn, Jack Co., TX