Watkins sert fidèlement les états du sud durant la guerre, participant aux batailles de Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kennesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Zion Church, Kinston, Cassville, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, et Nashville.