Why did Edgar Allen Poe enlist into the United States Army under the name of Edgar A. Perry? Why Perry?

Question

Why did he use the Last name perry?

Answer 1

Perry - to hide his true identity - he was destitute when he enlisted - but "bought" his way out later.

Answer 2

Because he is insane.

Answer 3

what zaktius said.

Answer 4

I don't think that anyone knows for sure, but one speculation is that he did not want his creditors or his father-figure (Mr. Allan) to be able to locate him.  

He and Mr. Allan had many arguments, not least of all about Poe's excessive drinking and indebtedness.  During the year prior to his enlistment, Mr. Allan had been refusing to send the amount of money that Poe was requesting, so Poe went further and further into debt (due mostly to drink).

Of course, biographers note that after two years Poe appealed to Allan, who purchased a discharge for Poe.

Answer 5

Well, apparently he was only 18 when he enlisted, but stated he was 22. I'm going to presume that this means that the Army's age limit was somewhere between the two ages at that time, so he probably enlisted with a false last name so records of his true date of birth could not be traced.

As for 'Perry', he probably wanted to be recognizable to people he knew, and wanted to retain his initials.

Answer 6

Why not? Plenty of people change their names when they enlist. He probably liked Perry and decided to stick with it.