| Henry Watkins Allen | |
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| In office January 25, 1864 – June 2, 1865 |
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| Lieutenant | Benjamin W. Pearce |
| Preceded by | Thomas Overton Moore |
| Succeeded by | Michael Hahn |
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| Born | April 29, 1820 Prince Edward County, Virginia |
| Died | April 22, 1866 (aged 45) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Salome Crane |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Henry Watkins Allen (April 29, 1820 – April 22, 1866) was an American soldier and politician, and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He served as the Confederate Governor of Louisiana late in the war. Port Allen, a small city on the west bank of the Mississippi River across from Baton Rouge, was named after him in 1878.
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Early life and career
Allen was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, was educated at Marion College, Missouri, taught school and practiced law in Mississippi, and served in the Texas Revolution against Mexico. He was a member of the Texas state House of Representatives in 1853, after studying law at Harvard. In 1859 he went to Europe with the intention of taking part in the Italian struggle for independence, but arrived too late. He toured through Europe, the incidents of which are recounted in Travels of a Sugar Planter. He was elected to the legislature during his absence, and on returning took a prominent part in the business of that body. He had been a Whig in politics, but had joined the Democratic Party when Buchanan was nominated for president in 1856.
Civil War service
Allen joined the Confederate Army as a lieutenant colonel on August 15, 1861, and was promoted to colonel on March 1, 1862. He was wounded at Shiloh and Baton Rouge. Allen became a brigadier general on August 19, 1863, and was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1864, losing office when the Confederacy collapsed in 1865.
Postbellum career
After the war, Allen moved to Mexico City, edited the Mexico Times, and wrote Travels of a Sugar Planter. He assisted in the opening of trade between Texas and Mexico. He died in Mexico City, of a stomach disorder,[1] and was buried in the Old Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
The Henry Watkins Allen Camp #133 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was named in his honor, as was Allen Parish, Louisiana. The neighborhood he lived in while in Shreveport bears the name Allendale. Henry W. Allen Elementary School, a public school in New Orleans, is also named for him.
The City of Port Allen, located in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, is named for Allen. A statue of Allen is located near the West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse in Port Allen.
References
External links
- State of Louisiana - Biography
- Cemetery Memorial by La-Cemeteries
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Thomas Overton Moore (D) |
Governor of Louisiana
Henry Watkins Allen (D) |
Succeeded by Michael Hahn (R) Reconstruction Governor |
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