William Watson ( surgeon ) William Watson ( 1837 – 1879 ) , was a surgeon in the 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the American Civil War . During his duty in the Army of the Potomac , he took part in several battles including Fredericksburg , Chancellorsville , the Wilderness , and Gettysburg notably . Major Watson is recognized most by his contribution to the understanding of soldier life during the Civil War , ranging from the battles themselves to the internal conflicts within the unit . Early life and career . William Watson was born in Bedford , Pennsylvania . He had six younger sisters — Ella , Eliza , Margaret , Charlotte , Emma , and Marie . Raised by his father Dr . William Hartley Watson , he followed in his father ’ s footsteps and attended Lafayette College , proceeding to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to graduate . Civil War . Watson was a strong Union supporter . On September 12 , 1862 , at the age of 25 , having recently completed medical school , Watson joined the ranks of the 105th Pennsylvania . He was given the rank of major and designated as the surgeon of his regiment . Watson was formally commissioned by Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin on September 16 , 1862 . On December 19 , 1862 , Watson joined his regiment at Camp Prescott , later to be renamed Camp Prescott Smith , in Virginia . The early letters . Watson ’ s early letters to his father and sisters displayed the difficult process he endured to join his regiment . He explains the red - tape of the army , from not receiving a uniform in Washington DC , to the need to receive signed passes from his commanding officers to make passage from Washington to Camp Prescott in Virginia . Once Watson joined the regiment at Camp Prescott , he describes the lifestyle of a soldier living in a camp such as Camp Prescott . In a letter to his father written on September 20 , 1862 , he describes to his father the theft of his overcoat and the need for a horse . The assistant surgeons of his regiment were , as he describes , well mounted , he felt that he too should be well mounted as their commanding officer . The impact of war on Watson ' s views . Watson ’ s wartime accounts shed reality to the life of a soldier after battle . On December 15 , 1862 , he describes the aftermath of the battle he was witnessed to his father . Watson is quoted saying “ I only trust I shall never witness another battle . ” In a letter to his sister Ella written on January 17 , 1863 , he writes , “ Truly the American soldier demands the admiration of the whole world . He is ever cheerful , courageous , and non complaining . Defeated to day , he willingly and cheerfully renews the conflict tomorrow . ” A romantic view of the American Civil War veteran , he overlooks the daily , less patriotic concerns of the soldiers regarding nutrition , rest , and not becoming a casualty . The late letters . After describing his experiences at other major battles including Gettysburg and the Wilderness , Watson writes his last letter as a soldier to his sister Marie on May 21 , 1865 . He is penniless , living on credit . Postbellum . Major William Watson was discharged on May 27 , 1865 . He then returned to Bedford , Pennsylvania , to start his own medical practice . Watson joined the Grand Army of the Republic . At the age of forty - one in 1879 , William Watson died . Bedford honored their veteran by naming their militia facility Camp Watson .