While leading his troops at the battle of Baton Rouge, Allen rode within 50 feet of the enemy's cannon and received a round of canister, crippling his legs so badly that he used crutches for the rest of his life.

"I cannot ask a pardon. A parole I would gladly accept. Perhaps a general amnesty may come-if not, I cannot with honor go back and ask pardon for what I don’t consider a crime." Henry Watkins Allen

Former wartime governor of Louisiana on being asked if he would accept a U.S. pardon

~Robert~

Photo: Although a colonel of the 4th Louisiana Infantry at the battle of Shiloh where he fought with the 5th Company of the Washington Artillery, Allen would later become brigadier general and eventually governor of Louisiana.