History of Opelousas, (Saint Landry Parish) Louisiana United States of America

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Biographies:

Allan Bowle Magruder, senator, was born in Kentucky in 1775. He was admitted to the bar in 1796 and settled in practice in Lexington, Ky. He was a representative in the Kentucky legislature and subsequently removed to Louisiana, where he practised law. He was elected, with John Neol Destrehan, U.S. senator from the newly admitted state of Louisiana in May, 1812, and he drew the term expiring March 3, 1813. Destrehan did not take the seat, which fell to Thomas Posey. He collected the material for a "History of the North American Indians," which he left in MS., and is the author of: Reflections on the Cession of Louisiana (1803); Character of Mr. Jefferson. He died at Opelousas, La., April 16, 1822.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Alfred Mouton, soldier, was born in Opelousas, St. Lundry parish, La., Feb. 18, 1829; son of Alexandre and Lilia (Rousseau) Mouton. He was graduated at the U.S. military academy in 1850, and resigned from the army, Sept. 16, 1850. He served as assistant engineer in the construction of the New Orleans and Great Western railroad, 1852-53, and was brigadier-general in the state militia, 1850-61. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, recruiting a company from the farmers of Lafayette parish, and was commissioned colonel of the 18th Louisiana regiment, taking part in the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, where he was severely wounded. He commanded a brigade made up of the 18th and 83d Louisiana Crescent and Terrebonne regiments, Ralston's and Semmes's batteries, and the 2d Louisiana cavalry, 1392 strong, and at Georgia Landing, Oct. 27, 1862, when pressed by General Weitzel, evacuated the place, burned the bridges and occupied the Teche country for the winter of 1862-63. He was with Gen. E. Kirby Smith's Trans-Mississippi army in command of the 2d division of Lieut.-Gen. Richard Taylor's Army of West Louisiana in opposing the advance of General Bank up the Red River, being at Carroll Jones's plantation on March 18, at Natchitoches on the 22d and at Sabine Cross Roads on April 5, where the line of battle was formed on the morning of the 8th. On the first onslaught made by the Federal force he succeeded in driving in the cavalry and struck the head of Franklin's troops, and without waiting for orders from General Taylor drove Franklin back. This movement opened the battle of Mansfield, which Taylor pushed to a complete success, but Mouton fell at the first onset. He died on the field, Mansfield, La., April 8, 1864.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor