{⋆★⋆} BG Allen, Henry Watkins - Governor of LA

Henry Watkins Allen

:CSA1stNat:
Brig. General Allen.jpg


Born: April 29, 1820

Birthplace: Prince Edward County, Virginia

Father: Dr. Thomas Allen 1789 – 1850

Mother: Ann Venable Watkins 1792 – 1830

Wife: Salome Ann Crane 1825 – 1851

Education:

Attended Marion College in Mississippi​
Studied law at Harvard University​

Occupation before War:
School Teacher, and Attorney in Mississippi​
Served in the Texas Revolutionary War
Governor Allen.jpg
1846: Mississippi State Representative​
Louisiana State Representative​
Went to Europe to participate in Italian struggle for Independence​
Louisiana State Representative​

Civil War Career:
1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel in the Confederate States Army​
1862 – 1863: Colonel in the Confederate States Army​
1862: Wounded during the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​
1862: Wounded in both legs during the Battle of Baton Rogue, Louisiana​
1863 – 1864: Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army​
1864 – 1865: Governor of Louisiana​

Occupation after War:
IMG_5090.JPG

Editor of Mexico Times Newspaper​
Assisted in Opening trade with Texas, and Mexico​

Died: April 22, 1866

Place of Death: Mexico City, Mexico

Cause of Death: Stomach Disorder

Age at time of Death: 45 years old

Burial Place: Old Capitol Grounds, Baton Rogue, Louisiana
 
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He assumed command of the 4th LA following the resignation of its first colonel
Robert H Barrow - just prior to Shiloh
Barrow's great grandson was the commandant of the MArine Corps from 1979-1983
Commandant John Lejeune was born in Pointe Coupee Parish. Commandant Robert Barrow in West Feliciana Parish. The east and west approaches to the Audubon Mississippi River Bridge south of St. Francisville are named for them.
 
Lovely little New York Times article on the man. https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/13/the-souths-greatest-governor/
Also notes how, in September of 1864, he had pushed for the use of black troops by the Confederates, despite himself being a slaveowner. Shows just how committed to the cause and how "flexible of mind" he was, as a friend of mine described the more colorful and creative confederate generals; he's one of the few political figures I could apply that to as well
 
Recollections of Henry Watkins Allen, Brigadier-general Confederate States Army, Ex-governor of Louisiana by Sarah A. Dorsey


Cheers,
USS ALASKA
 
Recollections of H W Allen
5/18 Smith's force, on the 18th, consisted of the remnant of the 8th La Bn, Lt-Col Pinckney, & the 27th La vols, Col Marks. This force was increased by the 20th & 28th La Vols, 500 each; by five Co's of Starke Cav & four Co's 6th Ms Bn, Lt-Col Balfour. All these were fresh troops, just mustered into service & indifferently armed. These were thrown forward on the south side of Vicksburg, towards Warrenton, & ordered to dispute the approach by land inch by inch.

This force was subsequently increased by the 4th & 5th La[17th​ La], under Col Allen. Allen's wound had partially healed. He threw himself eagerly into the new work set before him, at the head of his dear Regt. This was a most critical period in the history of the Defense of Vicksburg.

7/6/62 Camp Lindsey, Vicksburg from J B Corkern [4th​ La] to brother-writes of heavy bombardment from enemy doing little damage except to city
Col Allen now commands a special Bgde of the 4th​, 17th​, 27th​ La, & 3rd​ Ms & 6th​ Ms Bn.
I am in charge of the Bgde Sharpshooters [about 60 men]. Cornelius is in my Co & he & I are both well.


8/3/62 Field report of the 2nd​ Bgde, 2nd​ Div commanded by Col H W Allen

Total present enlistedAgg
Staff5
Col Breaux286312
LtCol Hunter363400
LtCol Boyd182194
LtCol
Winfield
31
Cpt Semmes8589
Gr Total9161031


8/5 [about] Breckinridge now picked his troops to make attack on Baton Rouge, & among them he selected Allen & his 4th La.

Report of Col. H. W. Allen. Fourth Louisiana Infantry, commanding Second Brigade.
East Baton Rouge, La., August 18,1862.

…I ordered a movement to be made to the left & advanced in the direction of the Btry. At the command charge the whole Bgde raised a shout and made as gallant a charge as was ever witnessed. Here I fell, my legs terribly shattered with canister-shot. What transpired after this on the battlefield I do not know; the loss of blood & extreme pain had rendered me almost senseless…Private Seeders, of the West Feliciana Rifles, Fourth Louisiana Regiment took the colors from me as I fell and at the same moment received a terrible wound in the thigh.

10/3/62 Port Hudson, J B Corkern [4th​ La] to brother-I have returned from detached service west of the river. The health of the Regt is only tolerably good as there is considerable suffering with chills & fever.
Col Allen is so far recovered as to be on his way here & will be in camp tomorrow, though not yet well enough to take command.


10/15/62 Col Allen better, may soon take command of his Bgde

11/28/62 Port Hudson-officers asking for Allen to be BGen-4th La-30th La-Miles La legion & Gen Beall
1/18/63 from Col H W Allen 4th​ La tendering resignation as he has been made Maj Gen by La Governor-forwarded

Gen Ruggles, cdg the left wing, ordered to attack on the south side of the town near the State House, brought on the engagement with four pieces of Semmes Btry & two Bns, one composed of the 3d, 6th, 7th Ky, under Col Thompson, & the 35th Ala; & the other, of the 3rd & 4th La & Boyd's La Bn, under Col Allen, of the 4th La.

When Allen had recovered sufficiently to use crutches, he went to visit his old Regt. It was a most affecting scene. These scarred men pressed around him with shouts of applause. They seized his hands & kissed them; at last, some of them picked him up in their arms, embraced him, & bore him aloft through their camp, cheering & weeping as they went. Allen wept like a child.

1/23/63 Camp of 4th​ La, Port Hudson, J B Corkern [4th​ La] to brother-…there is an oppressive lull in military operations at this time & thus little news. Gen Allen has resigned the command of the state force on account of a serious attack of Erysipelas which will render him unfit for 2-3 weeks & the organization of the state troops required immediate attention.
The health of the troops is surprisingly good considering the miserable state of the _ & the boys are generally in good spirits

3/6/63 Richmond-H W Allen desires to have the order accepting his resignation rescinded
3/18/63 Richmond, Hon E Sparrow requests revoke of order accepting H W Allen's resignation

4/14/63 Allen Thomas recommended for promotion by Smith, Pemberton & others

8/19/63 Much to Gen. Thomas' amusement, & their confusion, Allen, & Col Allen Thomas, were both recommended to President Davis for promotion at the same time by the same general officers. They both happened to be in Richmond at one time. Col Allen Thomas was much attached to Col Allen. Mr. Davis, in conversation with Col Thomas, mentioned the fact of his having but one Bgde to bestow at the moment, & that he was rather at a loss what to do, as both Col Allen & he seemed to have equal claims to it. Col Thomas instantly entreated him to give it to Co. Allen, who was an older man, who had been so terribly wounded in the service, & he really believed a better soldier than himself. President Davis thanked Col Thomas. An hour afterwards Col Thomas met Col Allen, still creeping along on his crutches; he accosted him cheerfully: "Good-morning, Gen I" "How! Why Gen?" exclaimed Allen.

"Simply because I have just parted with the President, & you are promoted."

Allen grasped his hand warmly. He never forgot Thomas' friendly generosity. As soon as he was elected Governor of the State of La, he wrote to President Davis, & Col Allen Thomas received Gen Allen's old Bgde.


8/20/63 Special Orders Par XXII- Such of the men belonging to the 3rd, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th​ [mistake], 26th, 27th, 28th​ [29th​], & 31st Regts La Vols, paroled at Vicksburg & Port Hudson, as have gone on furlough to West La, will be reassembled at Alexandria, under the supervision of Gen Allen. By command of the Sec of War:

8/21/63 Seddon to K Smith-Gen Allen, just made a brigadier, has been ordered to report to you, with instructions to rendezvous certain Regts of paroled prisoners at Shreveport or such other points as you may designate- He is likewise expected, by his personal influence & exertions, to bring back to the service many stragglers & deserters & recruit his forces from those not accessible. It is hoped a Bgde will be raised, to the command of which he will naturally be assigned; but should this expectation prove delusive, you will best know to what duty to assign this officer, who has justly won a high character for gallantry & ability.
8/21 Davis orders the newly promoted Allen to go to La to command a new Bgde formed from the paroled prisoners as well as straggler, deserters, & new recruits

9/15/63 At Mobile, Gen H W Allen writes to Sec of War by Lt Clarke [John G Clarke] who is sent on to Richmond with the best evidence we can get of the Vicksburg paroled prisoners.
The box containing the rolls has been lost-a most unaccountable piece of negligence. I have called on the provost marshal to help in the search, but it can't be found.

9/17 Enterprise, Ms-Gen Baldwin met w/the La officers & ordered us [finally] to La to report to our Col's, preparatory to collecting the men in camp-Gen Allen stopped by on his way to La where he was approached by the La soldiers eager to cross the river.
Gen H W Allen told them they could join his command if they could get thru the lines. The crossing was made successfully regardless of the gunboat patrols. A parole camp was established at Alexandria by Lt Col Crow of the 26th​ La.
Gen Allen narrowly missed being captured by a gunboat in crossing the Ms River to La. His staff was unable to make the crossing.


9/22 Gen Allen arrived at the paroled camp at Enterprise, & was eagerly sought by many of the members of the 3rd​ La Regt, who wished to cross the river. He gave them no definite encouragement, but said that he would like to have them with him, & thought that no harm would result from their joining their commands, provided they could get through the lines. Ah, there was the rub! Major H. F. Springer, formerly a member of Co G, was running the blockade of the Ms with Gov't dispatches & ammunition. He needed teamsters, & wished to obtain them from the Regt. His request was refused. However, several volunteered to go at 7 p. m.

In Oct 1863, future Governor Allen offered an assessment of the situation in southwest La. He lamented, "The country here is full of deserters & runaway conscripts.... I am told they number 8,000."


10/28/63 K Smith to Gen'ls Bragg & Johnston-I have directed Gen H W Allen, ordered by the War Dept to collect the La troops paroled at Vicksburg & Port Hudson, to send officers across the river to procure arms. I beg your assistance. Not only the troops referred to but many others in my command are without arms.
11/11/63 Shreveport Hqs to Gen Taylor-you are requested to aid the officers being sent across the river by Gen Allen to procure arms. When Allen's Bgde is organized & armed it will report to you.


11/2/63 Gen Allen elected Governor-inaugurated 1/25/64

11/12/63 Shreveport-Gen Allen to Sec of War-the Bgde is a very large one-much scattered & wants arms, clothing & transportation
Forgot to ask for my staff appointments when in Richmond- They have been on duty with since 9/14/63

11/20/63 Shreveport, Hqs Allen's Bgde-Gen Allen to Sec of War-I propose in a few days to resign my position as Brig Gen having been elected Gov. I submit Col Thomas of 28th​ La as my successor. He has been recommended by Pemberton, Smith, & Lee & Baldwin. Also, others incl Maury & Stevenson


11/23/63 Shreveport, Hqs Allen's Bgde-Gen Allen to A G Cooper-Having been elected as Governor of La, I tender my resignation as BG to take effect 1/10 next.


12/15/63 Gen Allen addressed the people of Natchitoches in one of those noble, stirring appeals, so characteristic of the man. The building was crowded to its utmost capacity to listen to the idolized & revered chieftain & statesman. Perhaps, no man has ever been so deeply enshrined in the hearts of La troops as is Gov Allen; the true & tried soldier, the uncompromising patriot; the kind & affable Gov; the soldier's & widow's friend. His memory will be kept bright & green in thousands of warm & loving hearts long after the war & its incidents have been forgotten, or only recalled as some strange dream of the past.

1/10/64 Gen Allen's resignation accepted due to being elected Gov of La [to take effect 1/27]
Allen is resigning [due to election as Gov] to take effect 1/10

1/18/64 Shreveport, S O #13-Gen H W Allen is relieved from the command of his Bgde. Col Allen Thomas, 28th​ La, will assume command of Allen's Bgde, & will report to Gen Taylor, cdg District of W La.

1/20/64 Shreveport, H W Allen to Col Allen Thomas-My dear friend-I have turned over to you the command of the Bgde & directed Capt E. Miltenberger to remain in the office here subject to your order.
I hope that you will have no trouble in assembling the officers & men & that you may soon be duly exchanged & put in the field.
In regard to your promotion, I have this to say---Gen Smith tells me that you will retain command of the Bgde under Gen Liddell who will command the District North of Red River under Gen Taylor. I asked him to recommend you & his reply was—that the Pres would not make any more Brigadiers at present except for gallant services rendered, since the fall of Vicksburg & Port Hudson. He says that you are in the line of promotion & you have it more in your power to be Gen! Confidentially, he asked me about your habits. I told him they were good.
Now my dear fellow, get your Bgde together—Go to work—stay with your men—Do your duty & all will be well.
PS: Write me at your leisure. My staff is all busily engaged in crossing arms for the Bgde. I wish them all retained. They will report to you as soon as they arrive.

2/4/64 Col Allen Thomas promoted to B Gen & assigned to Taylor's Dept
2/17/64 Col Allen Thomas, 28th​ La, appointed & confirmed Brig Gen 2/17 to rank from 2/4


5/14/65 writer refers to patriotic addresses by Gen Hays & Gov [Gen] Allen

5/18 the 3rd​ La were informed that the Missourians had come to relieve them of their guard duty. They became indignant & furious, & threatened to leave en masse. A delegation of prominent citizens besought them to remain. Gov Allen addressed them most feelingly. All in vain-That day a Mo Col addressed his Regt, & informed the men that they had been sent there to guard the La Regt. Such, at least, was reported to them. That afternoon they were relieved, & sentinels placed around them, who officiously told the men they were stationed there to guard them. Injured in feeling, wounded in pride & spirit, the brave boys carried out their threat.

Last Review of the Confederacy-Gen Joseph Orville Jo Shelby (1830-1897) led a Cav force of Missourians known as the Iron Bgde & later, the Iron Div…

Waylaid by severe weather, they decided to go to Mexico. Shelby's soldiers stopped along the banks of Chambers Creek, south of Chatfield. Near here, they made their last bivouac as a CS unit. The next morning, June 2, 1865, the troops lined up for assembly & held what has been called the last review of the Confederacy. By that time, they were the last organized unit in any CS state. Following the review of his troops, Shelby delivered his farewell, & then asked his men to accompany him to Mexico. Hundreds reportedly answered his call. The next week, while his men gathered supplies from nearby Corsicana, Shelby visited the Hodge Oaks Plantation of Capt Robert Hodge at Chatfield. Once prepared, the troops left for Mexico, where their offer of military service to Emperor Maximilian was diplomatically rejected. The men were offered land, though, & many, including Shelby, stayed. In 1867, Shelby returned to Missouri, where he farmed & served as U.S. Marshal. His dedication is celebrated there, as well as in Texas.

Gen Shelby with his party, Gen Price, Gov Allen, Gen Magruder & Gov Murrah with theirs left San Antonio 6/20

Shelby's expedition ultimately proceeded, some 500 strong, from Marshall to Corsicana, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, & Piedras Negras. In addition to Shelby, Governors Murrah, Clark, & Allen, Gen'ls Smith & Magruder, & several Texas cotton agents were escorted to Mexico.

6/26 crossed the Rio at Eagle Pass & there joined by Governor's Allen & Moore & 6 La refugees with them. You should have seen me in my riding outfit on a mule in shirt sleeves & a kerchief Tex style, with a revolver & shotgun & all my worldly goods on my person…

6/27 Leaving Pedro's Negros on 6/27 we were joined by Gov Allen, Gov Moore, Col Dennis, Maj__Capt__Capt __ who travelled with us to Monterey. We were joined by Col Mitchell & Col Wood with their families…I met Preston, Walker, Bee & many others who were detained in Monterey from the dangers of travel on the Matamoras road…


11/15/65 Cordova, Empire of Mexico, S Price to Col T. L. Snead-My Dear Col-I write without knowing where to direct my letter, but I will send it under cover to M M Broadwell New York, hoping he will know your whereabouts. You have many friends here who often talk about you, & who you will be glad to hear from. Gov Allen is Editor of the Mexican Times, M. F. Maury is Commissioner of Colonization, Magruder is Surveyor Gen. Kimmel, Dan Adams & others have positions on the RR, Gov Harris of Texas, Judge Perkins of La, Shelby & a host of others are with me at this place.

 
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