The father, prominent as an architect and builder, and active in real estate circles, died in Philadelphia in 1890.

He enlisted as a sergeant in the Washington Artillery of the Confederate States Army of his native city, although he had been offered a captaincy in the infantry, in order to fight in company with his schoolmates and friends in an outfit composed of young man in New Orleans.

[1] During Reconstruction, he endeavored to defend the rights of his fellow-citizens against the inroads of carpetbaggers, and, commissioned general and second in command, he deposed the usurpers in the battle of September 14, 1874, thus bringing to the State a new era of progress.

In 1884, after two years in office, Behan lost his incumbent position in what is considered to be an travesty to the Democratic selection.

The popular vote in the election was thrown out and was deemed inconclusive, and the decision was made by a "Ring" of influential politicians.

In 1904, Behand ran as the Republican candidate for governor of Louisiana, but was thoroughly defeated by Democrat Newton Blanchard.

When the Louisiana Division of the United Confederate Veterans' Association was formed in 1889, Behan was chosen major-general and served for two terms.

At this time, 1917, he toured the battlefronts of the Aisne and Somme sectors, under the guidance of an artillery officer who was a descendant of Lafayette, a very delicate courtesy of the French Government.

[1] Since 1905, he served as commander of the Washington Artillery Veterans' Association, president of the Pickwick Club, and first vice-president of the Louisiana Historical Society.