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Civil War Soldiers - Watkins
| Watkins, Louis D., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in the state of Florida, but in early like took up
his residence in the District of Columbia, where he was living at the
time of the outbreak of the Civil war. On April 15, 1861, he enlisted
as a private in Co. A., 3d battalion, D. C. infantry; was commissioned
first lieutenant in the 14th U. S. infantry May 14; was transferred to
the 2nd cavalry June 22, and to the 5th cavalry Aug. 3. He engaged
with that regiment in McClellan's Peninsular campaign and was severely
wounded at the battle of Gaines' mill. He was commissioned captain on
July 17, 1862, was on mustering and disbursing duty at Cincinnati,
Ohio, and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith during the
invasion of Kentucky by the Confederates. He was then appointed chief
of cavalry in the Army of Kentucky and engaged in Gen. Carter's raid
to East Tennessee in Dec, 1862. On Feb. 1, 1863, he was commissioned
colonel of the 6th Ky. cavalry, then stationed at Nashville, and on
the staff of Gen. Granger engaged in skirmishes against the
Confederates in Tennessee, commanding a brigade in the defeat of the
Confederate Gen. Wharton. He commanded the 3d brigade, 1st division,
Army of the Cumberland, until Sept., 1863, and was engaged in guarding
the railroad in the Atlanta campaign, defeating the Confederates in
the battle of Lafayette, Ga. He was engaged in holding Resaca against
the Confederate Gen. Hood, and with the Army of the Tennessee
participated in the pursuit of Hood's army, commanding the 1st cavalry
division. Later he commanded the post of Louisville, Ky. He was
commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers June 24, 1864; was
brevetted major, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious conduct in the
defence of Resaca, Ga.; lieutenant-colonel, U. S. A., for gallant and
meritorious services at the battles of Lafayette and Thompson's
station; and colonel and brigadier-general, U. S. A., for gallant and
meritorious services in the expedition to East Tennessee under Gen.
Carter. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 20th U. S.
infantry in July, 1866, was stationed at the posts of Baton Rouge and
New Orleans, La., and died at the latter place March 29, 1868. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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