Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-16
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,

Passing over subsequent events. w
come to an episode that occurred in the
vicinity of New Orleans Banks threat
ened to besiege Port Hudson by land
movement from tho sOnth. Confeder.
ate troops were dispatched from Tennes
see to intercept this projected expedi'
ton. Among them were details from
tho ID Missouri, Let Mississippi, and ID
Arkansas, IN all aboht 400 men, who
camped at Pontcba topla. Allen WAS
now second;junior lieu tenant. A
small Federal gunboat, called the
Lafi'te. was sent to Lake Maurepas, and
hearing of her arrival Allen started Of
with small detachment to capture her
She came up the Tickfaw River. The
Federals were surprised by q vigorous
attack, aud sank their vessel. The
Confcderates went aboard, and found
there small cannon mounted on the
bow. This was placed on q schooner
with the intention Of taking IL up the
Natalbany. Anticipating no m,rs
danger, Allen sont his men back to camp,
retaining with him a Mexican, and .
boy to manage the vessel. they had
not gone far before discovering q yswl
boat full Of Federals. He ran the
schooner on the bank, and with bis little
army awaited the coming ofthe Federals
When theyawl arrived the firing opened.
and Sergt Kline, Of the 9Th Michigan,
was killed The Federals landed and
advanced through the marsh. Allen
deployed the Mexican aud the boy in
the most formidable line Of battle posi-
bio under the circumstances, and gave
his commands 40 if the marsh was alive
with Confederates, at the same time his
forces kept up constant fire. The rase
was successful, and tho small party of
Fcderals retreated, believing they were
being drawn into q dangerous
predicament. Allen pursued them for o
mile, when they finally displayed q white
flag. Afraid to discover to the enemy
how slim were the opposing forces. the
Confederate lieutenant advanced alone
and commanded the Federals to. stack
arms" which they did. They numbered
in all eight privates and two com.
mlssioners ofticers-one lieutenant in
the 9Th Michigan, and the other of the
9th Connecticut. They wished to know
of the lientenan where his men were.
He replied that they were ia ambuscade,
but had been instructed to cease firing.
Allen marched the disarned prisoners
towaId the river, and being Joined by
the Mexican and the boy, put them in
the yawl boat, in which they were
conveyed to marlborough and marched
thence to Ponchatoula. Tho
CHAGRIN OF THE FEDERAls,
when they discovered how matters really
stood, can better DO imagined than de-
scribed, w.
When Allen reached camp he was
scarcely recognizable being covered with
mud from head to foot. From his waist
were suspended three swords aud q field
glass, trophies Of bis exploits. That
same day he returnedwith detachment
to the spot where the hody ofKline lay,
read the burial service himself, and had
the corpse decently inferred. In conse-
quence of this feat he was highly CON-
plimented by Gen. Frank Gardner, in
command at Port Hudson.
On one occasion Allen was scouting
with small detachment towards Baton
Rouge when, suddenly, large body of
Federal cavary was encountered. There
was no time for retire {, and Allen took
refuge in swamp, which was speedily
surrounded by the enemy. Having
watched for him some time they finally
posted a picket of twelve men of the
First Texas Cavalry (Federal) at q
bridge across the Tickfaw, hoping to
cut off the fugitive's escape. But Allen
swan the river below tho bridge, hast.
ened to camp, and obtaining detail Of
men, returned, and
CAPTURED THE ENTIRE FORCE.
BY this time Banks had inv ested Port
Hudson, Allen was then in tho brigade
under Gen. John X. Logan. A detach-
mont had been ordered out to intercept
II foraging party of Federals. Col. Frank
Powers was in command of the Confed.
crates. That day q suffers train Of
wagons had been captured, and Lieut..
Allen persisted in wearing scarlet
shirt taken from the train. Col. Powers
to commence the engagement
with the foragers, desired to order