Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-01-24
COL. THOS. H. WATKINS
A Brilliant Officer of the SIND
Virginia Infantry

ISI1)
In the early fifties, in little cot
tage, near an old mill. a short dis
lance from James River, and from
the line between Rockbridge and
Botetourt counties, and in the FORM
er county, there lived lad who was
destined to shed luster upon his
name. and his native State.
He was tall, well formed, athletic
boy, always bright, cheerful, and
kindly in bis demeanor, and un-
usually handsome in countenance
and in person.
His father, who was the miller at
that little grist mill. and his devot-
ed mother, were people OF simple
lives, but were highly esteemed for
their intelligence and uprigbtness.
His mother was remarkable for her
piety, and for her force of character.
This son was to these worthy par
ents all that a son could be. He was
the pride OF their hearts, and the
Joy of their lives.
Thew gave him such advantages
of education as were within their
reach in the schools OF the neigh
borhood, advantages OF which he
awaited himself with fidelity and
great diligence.
Here, 10 this retired and quiet
neighborbood, meas the banks OF
that beautiful river, with the Blue
Ridge and it's foothills, and Purga-
tory and Short Hill Mountains rails
ing their picturesque forms to the
skies, around the borders of the
lovely valley where was his humble
home, under the training of his
pious mother. and the sweet in
: Huences of the beautiful, and the
grand in nature, this lad grew to a
: stalw art manhood.
When about nineteen years OF age
be was employed in a subordinate
u capacity, at Glenwood furnace, a
J. nearby iron works, and exhibited
such capacity, fidelity to duty, and
q such extraordinary talent for deal
+ ing with affairs and men, that his
/ employer, recognizing his merits
d and his ability, rapidly advanced
him, and when he was barely TWEEN
G ty-one years OF age promoted him tC
a. the responsible position of manager
OF the entire business.
III He was probably the younges
IL manager of any blast furnace ano
u iron property, then or at any tim
w operated in Virginia.
His remarkable efficiency and sue
IL cess in this important and Difficult
position fully justified the conhdenc
ne OF his employer. AS a manager {
D. those iron works. he was cocscieI
H. tious, energetic, always consider
ate OF the rights of others, and ju:
20 and yet firm in dealing with hi
'oi subordinates and with the eight
ne or ninety hands under his direc
ar ion; and he was achieving marke
success for the business in b
Oh charge, and winning the esteem, r
ity spect, and affectionate regard of a
ier with whom he came in contaC
as when the war of coercion and su
ou- jugation was inaugurated by T.
lay government at Washington.
tne Conscious that Virginia need,
the the services of all of her sons W
we're able to render military ST
&C. vice, in her defense against t
AS hosts which were being marshall,
eo- for her conquest, he resigned
au- post of manager Of the iron prop,
10y ty, and joined company of infant
ent which was being formed in IL
our neighborhood. in which compar
following his example. a number
an the white men who had been e
tles ployed under him, promptly emil
Cne ed.
oeo When the company came to
IN organized, and to elect its office
he was chosen it's captain by
OF almost unanimous vote.
nee He had misgivings as to his gu
tate ifications for this responsible IC
Dill ton. He realized that he had
Sol no military training or experiel