William T. Watkins, 2nd Ky. Inf.

    First Kentucky "Orphan" Brigade 


The following sketch was written and submitted by Bob and Evelyn Bailey.

 

 

William Thomas Watkins

(b Oct 15, 1844 – d. Oct 26, 1921 )

THE ORPHAN BRIGADE

The Kentucky Confederates Who Couldn’t Go Home, by William C Davis

Family Story of Enlistment

William Thomas Watkins was working in the field of Guy (?) Smith, with a team of mules. He left for the war leaving the mules standing in the field. He was only seventeen in August 1861, he stated that he was 20 at the time of his enlistment. Most of our family said that he was an orphan, at that time, and living with the Smith’s. That was incorrect, his brother Jefferson Davis Watkins was born May 2, 1862, after William had enlisted.

Mustered in July 15, 1861

In May 1861 Confederate Inspector General Samuel Cooper directed that no attempts be made to recruit in the state of Kentucky, and withdrew his recruiting agents from Louisville. After the Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, VA all confederate forces were ordered out of the state of Kentucky. (pg. 12)

Camp Boone was a lonely spot, in early July 1861, Montgomery Tennessee. It was just seven miles north from the county seat, Clarksville, two miles west of the L&N railroad tracks (pg. 13). Kentuckians flocked to Camp Boone in July and August 1861. Soon the exodus to Camp Boone caused concern to both northern and southern sympathizers in Kentucky. Union men complained that "so many of our giddy young men have gone into the Southern army that almost every man who goes into the our army, knows that he had to fight neighbors, a relative, a brother, son or father." The Frankfort press lamented that "Thousands …have been ruined by the fatal delusion" of "going south." ( pg. 14)

Almost from the day those young men left the state of Kentucky for Camp Boone they were cut off from home, and home from them. They were children orphaned from their mothers, and for four long years news of them was sparse. (pg. 16)

The first regiment to be formed at Camp Boone was the 2nd Kentucky Infantry; the regiment was formed in July 1861. The 1st Kentucky Infantry was formed in Virginia. (pg. 16) With two regiments organized, a problem arose. There were still a number of men in camp, but not quite enough for another regiment. Robert P. Trabue and an associate went to Louisville in August, where Trabue arranged with Ben Moore to recruit quietly in and around Frankfort. (pg. 17)

Note: William Thomas Watkins mustered in August 19, 1861 at Camp Boone, Montgomery, Tennessee – Lt. M. C. Call. Private - Company K - 2nd Regiment Kentucky Infinity – Captain John W. Owings

Arms

In July 1861 there were 700 men, only one fourth of the armed. The first of August it was far worse. With 2500 men in camp Colonel Bob Johnson, believed that there were not more that 120 muskets available. (pg. 22)

The story of the 2nd Kentucky alone told a tale. On October 29 Bob Johnson reported that 832 men in the ranks on that date, 131 had no guns at all, 63 unreliable weapons, 94 others carried flintlocks, 270 men had guns that were "totally useless," and a few even carried shot guns. Most of them were manufactured 1803 to 1815. The men were afraid to discharge many of the guns. (pg. 48)

Advancing Winter Fall 1861

The advancing winter, 1861, only added to the boredom of garrison life. "The severity of the winter ", wrote a Mississippian, "exceeded anything I had ever known." The snow lay on the ground for weeks, freezing everything. Icy winds raged though the camps. Orders from brigade headquarters prohibited using farmers’ fence rails for firewood but Colonel Hunt realizing the plight of the men, gave them a way around the prohibition by telling them they must refrain from burning "whole rails." Soon there were roaring fires made from pieces of rails. "The truth is" wrote Johnny Green, "it was but little time before every rail in that fence had been converted into pieces." (pg. 55)

On the Move

On January 20, 1861 Johnston ordered 8,000 men from Bowling Green to be sent under Brigadier General John B. Floyd to Clarksville, TN. Within supporting distance of Donelson. Floyd took his own brigade and, to fill out required strength, Buckner added to it the 2nd Kentucky and Rice Grave’s battery. On February 11 Hanson began constructing MORE TRENCHES AT Fort Donelson. On Wednesday February 12, Grant first appeared in their front, but showed no great anxiety to attack. He awaited his gunboats. Few sleep that night. The morning of February 13 Grant finally open fire. Just part light the federal artillery began, shortly afterward the Kentuckians saw a line of bluecoat soldiers moving toward them through the woods in their front. They advanced in unbroken line within a hundred yards of Hanson’s rifles pits before the confederates fired. Undeterred, the Federals came another forty yards until Hanson’s fire disrupted their line and forced them back. Twice more this day they charged, and twice were repulsed.

Captured February 1862

On the morning of February 14, snow carpeted the ground. The cold, perhaps forgotten in the fight during the day, returned with renewed bitterness. The men started pitiful little fires atop the hill and huddled around them for warmth, sulking moodily over the failure of the day, or else looking with equal gloom toward the bloody work that dawn must surely bring. A few managed sleep, only to be aroused at 3 am on February 16. Now the Confederates were going to attack down this road again and cut their way though to safety, perhaps to Nashville Hanson halted the regiment in a ravine, the regiment stood in one line for an hour, perhaps two. Hanson said "The war is about over for us!" There will be no attack, no breakout, and no escape. There was time to count the wounded and tally the dead. Of the 2nd Kentucky Hanson had a total strength of 618 and Grave’s battery numbered another 113, losses were 18 dead and 57 wounded. Captain Charles Semple of Company K was killed. (pg. 70)

Note: William Thomas Watkins - Company K - was captured at Fort Donelson February 16, 1862.

Captivity – Camp Morton, Indiana February – November 1862

Though Hanson stood his captivity in some comfort, the enlisted men of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry met a different lot at Camp Morton,, at Indianapolis.. The fair grounds had been appropriated for use as a prison. Sheds were built against the high board fence which surrounded the grounds, and tents were scattered over the intervening space. In these the prisoners must shelter themselves as best they could from the cold, which was severe to men just come from the South. As a result, escape loomed inviting and these Orphans never stopped trying. Exchange came at last for Hanson’s men, and for him on August 5 1862. By September he was in Chattanooga, TN.. (pg. 128)

Family Story

Sometime during his enlistment he was eating an apple, an officer ask him if he stole the apple? He said "No Sir, I took it" From that time his nickname was "Took-it Watkins"

Wounded September 1864

General Jefferson C. Davis , commanding the division that fought the Orphans for two day at Jonesboro, commending their bravery and personally took an interest in the welfare of the Kentucky wounded and prisoners in his care. Most eloquent of all were the loses. They told the story not only of Jonesboro, but also of the tragedy the whole campaign. Since the campaign began back in May, Lewis losses totaled 999, his strength reduced by constant fighting from 1512 to a mere 513 by September 6, Three years before, the 2nd Kentucky numbered 833.

Yet, in the 120 days since the Orphans marched out of Dalton 1,512 strong, their hospital recorded 1,860 cases of death or wounds, 23 percent more than there were men in the command. Fewer than 50 were reported as having passed through the entire campaign unblooded. Yet as quickly as they recovered from their wounds – and often before – the Kentuckians rejoined their fellow Orphans at the front, often only to be wounded again. (pg. 235-236)

Note: William Thomas Watkins war records indicated that he was hospitalized September 1, 1864 near Jonesboro, GA. With a slight wound to the left side (shoulder and neck). This wound lead to his death much later in October 26, 1921.

Engagements fought during the War

Fought at Donelson, Hartsville, Mufreesboro, Jackson; was on the field at Chickamauga, with the Infrimary Corps; fought at Mission Ridge, at Rocky Face Gap, Resaca; and Dallas; from Dallas to Atlanta; at Peachtree Creek, at Intrenchment Creek; at Utoy Creek; was on infirmary duty at Jonesboro, and again wounded; and was in all other mounted engagements. (from First Kentucky Brigade by Thompson)

General Lee’s Surrender April 1865

Suddenly there came an order to halt. Soon they saw a white truce flag from Potter’s line to Young’s. The dispatch read that General Robert E. Lee has surrendered the Army of the Northern Virginia to the Orphan’s old foe, U. S. Grant, at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. (pg. 251)

Surrender of the Orphan Brigade May 1865

On May 2, Johnston issued his final address to the men "He advised them to accept the results, to take Sherman’s generous terms of parole, to go home and accept the laws of the United States once more and abide by them. Let me thank you, my brave men," he concluded "for your suffering and you fortitude in the camp and your gallantry on the field of battle." (pg. 251)

Orders called for the Orphans to proceed to Washington, Georgia, to surrender their arms and take parole. It was not far, just fifty miles northwest of Augusta, and Lewis sent notification that he would have the brigade there May 6, 1865. (pg. 251)

Going Home

For many the journey home seemed as long as their wandering of the war, and for some it proved longer that they might ever have imagined. The Federals gave them their horses, and before Brickinridge left Washington, Georgia he distributed the remainder of the Confederate Treasury to the men there, about $2.50 per man.

Note: William Thomas Watkins swore an oath and was released May 21, 1865 at Nashville, TN. 

State of Kentucky – Soldier’s Application for Pension – No. 1125

William T Watkins

Application April 24, 1912

June 28, 1912

William T. Watkins, private, Company K 2nd Kentucky Mounted Infantry.

Born – Mercer County, KY 1844

Enlisted July 13, 1861

Colonel Roger Hanson

Captain John Owings

Prisoner – Camp Morton – released June 1862

Surrendered May 6, 1865 at Washington, GA. Released May 21, 1865 at Nashville, TN

Description : Complexion – Fair, Hair – Brown, Eyes – Gray, Height 6 ft.

Died October 26, 1921

 

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