The Allen Brothers Story
by David Chaltas

Imagine the heartache and worry placed upon a mother as she watched her boys step out of the door for what might be the last time as they go off to war. Mrs. Susan Sizemore Allen must have stroked their hair and kissed them on their cheeks as she embraced them with a mother’s love. Emory was born in 1835. When he enlisted, he was 27 years old. He was married to Peggy Combs and had one son. On October 18, 1862 he enlisted in Company I of the 10 Kentucky Mounted Rifles. Irvin was three years his junior, having been born in 1838. He had married Elizabeth Noble in 1858 and when his conscious called he enlisted into Company G on September 23, 1862. John Alfred was born to Samuel and Susan in 1840 and had married a Paulina Combs. He enlisted on September 28, 1862 following his older brothers example. He was captured at Gladesville on July 7, 1863 and was not exchanged until February 1865. He had been imprisoned at Kemper Barracks, Camp Chase, Camp Douglas and Pt. Lookout, Maryland. Ira Allen was born in 1841, and had married Delila Combs in 1859. He enlisted in Perry County on September 26, 1862, just 3 days after Emory. He was 20 at the beginning of the war. James Allen, known as River Jim was born in 1824 and had married Nancy Louise Roberts. He was the father of Granville and Stephen who served in the 5th and were later conscripted to serve in Whitesburg. Andrew was born in 1830 and had married. Mary Polly Combs. They had six children. He enlisted on September 26, 1862 with his brother Sgt. Ira Allen. Andrew would become a 4th Corporal in Company G. Though records are sketchy, he may have served in the 2nd Va. State Line, Company D. George Allen was born on February 1, 1836 and had married Rachel Combs. When his brother Emory decided to enlist he accompanied and signed up on the date of September 23, 1862. He was placed in company G. He was the only brother to survive the war. Emory, Irvin, John and Alfred had lived through imprisonment; the physical limits placed upon a human being, cold and hunger of the war and were walking home with 2nd SGT David Richardson unsuspecting the dangers that waited along the roadway. As the unsuspecting Confederates meandered down the road talking of a brighter day the Unionist opened up with a volley from an ambush. The brothers and 2nd SGT Richardson fought to the best of their ability but were cut down in a blaze of fire that hit its mark. The men that had survived the war were only miles away from their home when they were cut down by a ruthless adversary that slipped back into the shadows to hide their cowardly deed. The brothers and 2nd Sgt. Richardson were left to die beside the road at the mouth of Drowning Creek of the Kentucky River at Bibee, Kentucky. A weeping mother and the wives of the men felt the enemies’ sting one more time. Fifth Sgt. Ira Allen was reported missing in action at the second Battle of Cynthiana on June 11, 1864. Andrew was killed in battle on July 16, 1863 leaving his 6 children and wife to survive on their own. Private James Allen was killed while riding with Diamond’s 10th by the Three forks Battalion on November 6, 1864. George was the only brother to survive the war and died on January 16, 1918. The Samuel and Susan Sizemore Allen family lost 5 of their 6 sons during the War Between the States. Such was the sacrifices of families in the mountains of Kentucky.

Just Going Home
By
Willis Strong


We’re just passing through our fight is long been over
We want to see our love ones and smell the old home fire
We left our hearts in Battles where many of us fell,
We traded our Guns for nothing now our lives are living hell,
No food, No friend, No family to help us on our way,
To make our journey better with every freezing day,
We’re wet and cold and hungry so pass us on our way,
We have no cause to fight you, so pass us on our way.