Behan, Gen. William J.

Submitted by Mike Miller

General William J. Behan was born in the city of New Orleans, La., in the year 1840 [25 Sep 1840], of Irish parentage, and of a family prominently connected with the history of that city. The father of our immediate subject, John Holland Behan was a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he passed his boyhood. At an early age, becoming impressed with the advantages offered by the attractions of the new world, he resolved, as many of his countrymen have done, to seek his fortune in the "land of the free." Accordingly bidding farewell to the tender associations of kindred and home, he came to America, locating in New Orleans where he acquired an extensive business as an architect and builder and became an extensive real-estate owner. After the close of the Civil war he removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until his death, in 1890. His wife, Katharine Walker Behan, whose death occurred in 1846, was also a native of the "Emerald Isle." General Behan is the eldest of a family of three children. Frank A., the second child, is a prominent business man of New Orleans and is president of the Crescent Jute Manufacturing company, of that city. Charles J., the youngest, enlisted in the confederate service, as a member of the Fifth regiment, Louisiana volunteers, and was killed on his eighteenth birthday, in the desperate fight at Antietam. General Behan spent his boyhood days in his native city, where his training and education was of the best order, and at an early age, we find him a dashing young officer in the confederate army, where he distinguished himself by his gallantry and unswerving duty at all times and under all circumstances. His command, the Washington artillery, became as well known to the Union soldier as it was in the confederate ranks. They were always in the front and participated in every campaign of the Army of Northern Virginia, from the battle of Bull Run, in 1861, to the surrender at Appomattox, 1865. General Behan had barely reached his majority when the war-cloud whose mutterings had been threatening our national prosperity suddenly burst in all its fury deluging our country in fraternal blood He had been born in the south and had been reared and educated a southerner, and the southern cause, endeared to him by the tender associations of boyhood, received his earnest support. He received a captain's commission in the confederate infantry, but preferring to remain with the Washington artillery, with which he was already connected, he took the field with this command. The Washington artillery left New Orleans May 27,1861, amid the booming of cannon, the music of bands, and the deafening cheers of the multitude. On the line of march the streets were crowded to such an extent as to greatly impede their progress. Ladies thronged the balconies, showering down flowers upon the brave soldier-boys going to the war. They received the baptism of fire at Bull Run, in which fight they took an important part, successfully holding in check a force greatly superior, both as concerns armament and numbers. General Beauregard, in his report of that battle says: "The skill, the conduct, and the soldierly qualities of the Washington artillery were all that could be desired. The officers and men won for their battalion a distinction which I feel assured will never be tarnished." In the limited space of the present paper, it would be impossible to recite the many engagements of this command during the four years of the war; its history has become a part of the history of that heroic struggle. During its entire service the soldierly bearing, the unflinching courage which won the admiration of General Beauiegard, at Bull Run, was ever pursued, winning for the command many notices of merit from the different generals, in their reports of battles. In his report of the battle of Fredericksburg, General Longstreet says: "Notwithstanding I knew them to be steadfast veterans, they have kindled a new admiration for their remarkable firmness." General Ransom in his report of the same battle says: "Though no part of my command, I will not pass over the already famous Washington artillery. Its gallantry and efficiency are above all praise." General Lee, in his official report says: "They sustained the heavy fire of artillery and infantry with unshaken steadiness, and contributed much to the repulse of the enemy." General Behan participated with his command in all the engagements of the Army of Northern Virginia, including both battles of Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the siege of Petersburg, and the Seven Days Fight around Richmond. The General enjoys the proud distinction of being one of the few who entered the service in 1861, and served until the surrender, participating in many of the fiercest battles of the war, and yet during this entire time, never lost a day's service. Endowed by nature with a rugged constitution, he escaped sickness so common to the troops, and although he was conspicuous for his daring and bravery he escaped without a wound, barring a slight scratch received at Gettysburg, which did not incapacitate him for service. It was, however, a most miraculous escape. During the desperate cannonade at Gettysburg, the General had just wheeled his guns into line, and while in the act of dismounting, with one foot still in the stirrup, a shell from a federal battery, on Cemetery Hill passed over his horse, killing the man who was running forward to hold the animal. A fragment of this missile of death struck the General upon the forehead inflicting the only wound received during the war.<p> General Behan was a firm believer in the right of secession and the confederacy, but since that question has been settled through the arbitrament of the sword, he is a loyal and patriotic citizen of the Union. Time evolves wondrous changes, and the sectionalism of a few years ago is rapidly passing away, and in the light of after events it must be admitted by all that no people in the long range of historic events were ever actuated by stronger motives or inspired by a higher sense of duty than those who engaged in the confederate cause. No ambitious lusts for conquest and power; no sordid desire for the acquisition of territory, or feeling for revenge, mingled with or degraded that cause; they fought for political existence, for their honor and their homes. And now that the conflict is ended and the busy hand of time is fast removing all traces of the struggle, replacing them on every hand with evidences of peace and prosperity, let us trust in the happy belief that the day is not far distant when we, as a united people, shall regard the heroic deeds of both sides as the precious heritage of a common country; when the military genius, lofty character and distinguished achievements of the leaders of both armies will alike inspire with feelings of admiration and pride the heart of every true American. After the close of the war, General Behan returned to his home and soon engaged in business, and it might be added that the same dash and strict attention to duty which made him conspicuous in war has characterized him in peace.

As a merchant, manufacturer, and sugar planter, his efforts have been crowned with an eminent success. During the reconstruction period when the "carpet bag" government became oppressive and unendurable, the citizens of Louisiana, having determined to resist the encroachments of corrupt officials, organized themselves on a military basis, and General Bohan was chosen as one of their leaders. The result of the movement was the routing and overthrow of the worst state government known in the Union, and September 14, 1874, will ever live as a bright day in the history of Louisiana.<p> Politically General Behan has always been a democrat of the Jeffersonian type and has always been actively interested in political matters. He now represents his district in the state senate, having been elected to that position in 1888. In that body he takes an active part in the measures before the house, and is chairman of the committee on the city of New Orleans, also of the military committee.<p> In 1882, while traveling in Europe, the people of New Orleans, conferred upon him the honor of electing him mayor of the city without his knowledge of the fact, and his first information relative to such action was upon his return when he was informed that he was the mayor of the "Crescent City." He served in this capacity with credit to himself and satisfaction to the municipality. He accepted the position under adverse circumstances; the city had just adopted a new charter and was badly in debt. Under his administration the various departments were adjusted, and upon his retirement from the mayoralty order had been restored and the city was again placed on a cash basis. June 7, 1866, General Behan was united in marriage with Miss Katie Walker, daughter of William Walker, a prominent citizen of New Orleans. To this union have been born two daughters, Miss Bessie, who in 1891 officiated with becoming grace and dignity as the Queen of, the Carnival, and Miss Katherine. The General and his family are well known in social circles, in which they are recognized leaders. The General is a prominent member of the, Pickwick Club, and is the major. general of the United Confederate Veterans, of Louisiana.

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, pp. 279-280.