Memoir of Ben Franklin Ferris - Colorado Volunteer


Born November 8, 1838, Broom County, New York

Edited by E. H. Mallory 3 (EHM 3)




INTRODUCTION

     John Charles Ferris was my great-grandfather and Benjamin Franklin Ferris
was his brother. John's wife, Elizabeth Ann Bagley, is the Mormon wife refered
to in the memoir. Their daughter, Elizabeth Ann Ferris married my grandfather,
Eugene Hutchinson Mallory (EHM 1). To add to the confusion, their son, my
father, was named Eugene Hutchinson Mallory (EHM 2) and he named me the same,
Eugene Hutchinson Mallory (EHM 3). In addition to this work, the 30 year diary
of my grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Ferris, survives in my hands. There are only
distant references to these times and events.

     I have checked out as much as I could of this memoir and have found it to
be quite accurate. I have been to the vicinity of the Glorietta battle and to
Fort Union, and I have been to the gold fields in Colorado and to the Rock
Springs area tracking down some of the places and events. Interestingly, my
family has always thought that Ben was just telling stories. My father was very
happy to know that these stories were true to the real events.

     They were sure tough individuals in those days. Just going to these places
by automobile and tramping around is enough for me.

     Ben apparently wrote this memoir around 1910, when he was about 70 years
old. His memory was excellent and his story telling is wonderful. I think that
the passage of time has washed away the bad memories of those times and left
the adventure and excitement intact. The memoir is an excellent out-loud read.

     I am afraid that the original handwritten manuscript has not been located.
A type script has been circulating in the family for years. I believe that the
text is pretty much as written. I have added only some punctuation and
paragraphing. The language and spelling is his. The document is free of
copyright and may be copied.

     EuGene Hutchinson Mallory (EHM 3)

  NEXT ==>

Ben Franklin Ferris - Introduction
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1838-1846
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1846-1857
Ben Franklin Ferris - The Early Years
Ben Franklin Ferris - Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - After the War
Ben Franklin Ferris - Mexican Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - On to Montana
Ben Franklin Ferris - Last Words
Ben Franklin Ferris - Epilogue
Battle of Apache Canyon and Pigeon's Ranch
Fort Union National Monument
Bibliography


Preface to These Documents. (Brief)
Family History
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary.
Mallory Home Page