BATTLE OF BAKERS CREEK
On May 16, a terrible battle was fought. General Pemberton moved within a short distance of the enemy, and arranged his troops in line of battle; an engagement commenced, and continued until late in the evening.
The Fifty-Sixth Georgia Regiment was in the thickest of the engagement, and its killed, wounded and missing were considerable. Colonel Watkins was among the wounded. He had been in ill health six months previous to the battle and was under medical treatment at Vicksburg. When he heard that his regiment was marching to the battlefield he immediately started for the scene of action, and although he was scarcely able to sit upon his horse he hurried on, and his tall and slender form appeared before his regiment, just as it was taking its position in front of the enemy. I am proud to say however that Colonel Watkins' wound was only slight. Several great generals fell during the day "amid the roar of cannon and din of battle."
TRIP FROM VICKSBURG HOME
On the fifth of July. Colonel Watkins, who was hopping on his crutches from the wounds he received in the Battle of Baker's Creek, formed his regiment in a hollow square and delivered a short but eloquent address to his men. I suppose every soldier in the Fifty-sixth regiment was proud of Colonel Watkins.
After the siege was over a Yankee soldier came riding through the streets in a buggy with a Negro woman sitting by his side. The Yankees formed and armed a Negro regiment a few days before we left Vicksburg. On July 8, we were paroled and on July 12, we left Vicksburg, each soldier being searched by a Yankee officer before passing out of their lines.
Historical Files, H46
by Clinton R. Haggard
If this is duplication of information you already have, please disregard. I am searching for a photo of him. I haven't located one yet. Have you? Thanks, Pam