Louis Douglas Watkins

Louis Douglas Watkins (–1868) was a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Early life Louis Douglas Watkins was born in the state of Florida, about 1835, but in early life took up his residence in the District of Columbia, where he was living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War.

Military career On April 15, 1861, Watkins enlisted as a private in Company A, 3rd District of Columbia Infantry Battalion; was commissioned first lieutenant in the 14th United States Infantry, May 14; was transferred to the 2nd United States Cavalry, June 22, and to the 5th United States Cavalry, August 3. He engaged with that regiment in McClellan's Peninsular Campaign and was severely wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill.

Later he commanded the post of Louisville, Kentucky. He was brevet brevetted brigadier general of volunteers June 23, 1864; was brevetted major United States Army, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the defense of Resaca, Georgia; lieutenant colonel, United States Army, for gallant and meritorious services at the battles of Lafayette and Thompson's Station, and colonel and brigadier general, United States Army, for gallant and meritorious services in the expedition to East Tennessee under Major General Samuel P. Carter.

Watkins was promoted to Brigadier General of United States Volunteers with rank from September 25, 1865; and was mustered out of the volunteers in September 1866. Meanwhile he had been commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 20th United States Infantry in July 1866, and was stationed at the posts of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana.

He died at either Baton Rouge or New Orleans, on March 29, 1868, after a very short illness. He was survived by his wife and two young children.

Ranks Watkins joined the United States Army as first lieutenant of the 14th Infantry on May 14, 1861, was transferred to the 5th Cavalry on June 22, 1861, and became captain on July 17, 1862, and lieutenant-colonel of the 20th Infantry on July 28, 1866.

He received the following brevets: major, on January 8, 1863, for gallant service in the expedition to East Tennessee under General Samuel P. Carter; lieutenant colonel, on June 24, 1864, for service at Lafayette; brigadier general, on March 13, 1865. He was mustered out on September 1, 1866. First lieutenant in the 14th United States Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 14, 1861. First lieutenant and captain in the 5th United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment from June 22, 1861, to . Colonel of the 6th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry Regiment from February 1, 1863. Brevetted brigadier general on June 24, 1864.