Thomas Scott Allen (July 26, 1825 – December 12, 1905) was an American printer, teacher, newspaper publisher, and politician.

Before the war he also served a term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Iowa County, and later in life he was publisher of the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper.

[1][2] He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1857, replacing Democrat Richard M. Smith in representing the new 2nd Iowa County district (Mineral Point, Mifflin, Linden and Waldwick).

[3] At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Allen was one of the first Wisconsin volunteers to sign up for service in the Union Army.

Shortly after arriving, they were assigned to the brigade of William Tecumseh Sherman and went south into northern Virginia with the Manassas campaign on July 16.

[4] In December 1862, Allen was promoted to colonel and assigned to take command of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, to replace Amasa Cobb, who had been elected to Congress.

They captured the heights, and accepted the surrender of the Washington Battery of New Orleans, with the enemy colonel complimenting Allen for his daring and the bravery of his men.

In all, Allen's assault captured nine cannons, over a hundred Confederate prisoners, and a comparable number of rifles, muskets, and other small arms.

[8] Despite their gallant effort, the Battle of Chancellorsville was another disaster for the Union, and they were soon forced to abandon the heights and return to the north side of the Rappahannock River.

[8] In November, the 5th Wisconsin was again selected for a special assault—along with the 6th Maine Infantry Regiment—when they were assigned to seize the Confederate outpost at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station.

Shortly after returning, he was assigned to a special commission in Washington, D.C., to examine officer candidates for the United States Colored Troops and he served there until the end of the original term of enlistment for the 5th Wisconsin Infantry.

Allen raised and organized seven new companies of volunteers and quickly marched them back to Virginia to integrate with the veteran remnant battalion of the old 5th Wisconsin.

[8] In this role, Allen led one final assault of the war, charging the enemy's works at the Third Battle of Petersburg.

[8] They then joined the pursuit of Lee's army in the Appomattox campaign, and were responsible for the capture of Lieutenant General Richard S.