Wells, Lysander, 1812?-1840

Lysander Wells was born to Lysander and Clarissa Wells in Middletown, Connecticut circa 1812. His father passed away, leaving the son to support his mother and two sisiters, Adaline Louisa and Adelia Wells. Pursuing opportunities in the West, Wells enlisted as a second lieutenant in Sidney Sherman's company of volunteers December 18, 1835 and proceeded to Texas from Kentucky. During the January 25, 1836 reorganization of the Texas army, Wells was commissioned a major and fought in a position of cavalry command at the Battle of San Jacinto. He was confirmed a lieutenant-colonel by the Texas Senate May 22, 1837. He was made colonel by President Sam Houston in 1838 and received command of the first regiment of cavalry January 30, 1839. In the autumn of 1839, he returned to Connecticut to visit his mother and two sisters, whom he continued to support financially. Wells returned to Texas in January 1840 and resumed command of the First Texas Cavalry. After participating in the Council House fight March 19, 1840, Wells entered into an argument with Captain William D. Redd. The two men fought a duel May 9, 1840. Redd was killed instantly, and Wells died twenty days later.

From the guide to the Lysander Wells papers MC017. 46953096., 1836-1840, (Bulk: 1839-1840), (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )

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