Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-01-24
A ROCKBR|OGE SOLDIER
Won a Conspicuous Position for
Sterling Qualities
O front and led the charge"

the front. and led the charge"
AS indicating something of the
high esteem in which Col. Watkins
was held by his superior officer, it
is related in the article from which
1 have already quoted that:
'Ou one of his two applications
for furloughs to visit his aged par
ents, at time when his presence
was not needed in the army, Col.
Skinner endorsed: / heartily APP
prove the within application of this
meritorious officer, who has never |
had any Indulgence. and who has
been with the regiment during the
whole period of it's hard service.
General Walker wrote on the same
application: If any officer in the
service is entitled to furfough it is
Capt. Watkins.
On a subsequent application IN
February, 1863, to visit his sick
mother, at her urgent request, Gen.
Early endorsed: Capt. Watkins
commanded the regiment in all the
fights after the 18th Of August, in
GLIDING Sharpsburg, with etfi-
ciency,' and remarked to him that
he had rendered invaluable SER
vice to his country and should have
the promotion he so richly deserved
and which be subsequently obtained,
with the hearty appreciation of the
entire command.
well might the chaplain of his
regiment. who knew him well, write
70 his sorely bereaved parents,
Justly proud of their noble boys hat
their county lost one of its bravest
defenders and Virginia one OF her
noblest sons"
Col Watkins not only achieved
great distinction by reason of his
capacity and diligence and fidelity
as an officer in command OF bis com
oany, and for long time in COM
,nand also OF his regiment, in the
camp, and upon the march, and by
nis dauntless courage in the some
thirty combats and battles in which
he led his command with fearless
ness which made him conspicuous
even in any army of heroes; but he
performed feats of personal and in
diyidual prowess, of several of " hich
the record has been preserved il
the memorial to which have al
ready acknowledged my great in
debtedneSS.
At the battle Of Allegheny Noun
tain, while acting alone as a scou
y for his commander, General John
:, ston, he encountered two arme'
y Northern soldiers whom be cap
tured and, unaided, brought iut
the Confederate camp, a gallant fea
- for which General Johnston pr'
scented him their arms, TO be II
-" tanned by him as trophies Of b
prowess.
y During the battle OF Gaines Mi
~ he single handed captured MaiC
* Henry Citz of the 18th t. S. Reg
~ lars, whom he carried 10 headqua
ters where General Stonewall JAG
son recognized him as a form
:. classmate and subsequently a pr
no lessor at West Point.
Afterwards, while in the mig
time searching for spring, ne cal
suddenly upon nine Federal soldiel
who had lost their way and we
looking for their regiment, who
80, , by a ruse, he succeeded in march,
NC into the Confederate lines and ma
~ prisoners of war, greatly to the
surprise and chagrin.
These are some of tie facts gat
cred from personal recollection a
-" from the memorial published 70 Il
in the Lexington Gazette as to
'"' life and character and brilliant m
~ tary career OF this remarkable you
- man.
1'u What an incalculable loss to
I'LL country " as that occasioned by
GOV untimely death.
W. He was only "a years OF age VIII
we he was stricken down, as he led
'eo regiment in that desperate char