Thank you for your response to my query of November 17, 2007.

Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph of Colonel Elihu Pinson Watkins.

For your bibliography. The correct source for the two entries would be from "Sketches of the First Regiment Georgia Volunteers: together with the history of the 56th Regiment Georgia Volunteers, to January 1, 1864." by Oscar A. Cantrell. Atlanta, Georgia: Intelligencer Steam Power Presses, 1864. Battle of Baker's Creek excerpt. P. 58., Trip from Vicksburg Home excerpt. p. 63.

He was the acting brigade commander for Cumming's Brigade from approximately November 7, 1864 until approximately the time he tendered his resignation on February 21, 1865. He was elected the Georgia State Senator for the 35th Senatorial District of Georgia on November 5, 1864 and resigned to fulfill the obligations of the office. I believe he was also the Georgia Secretary of State at the beginning of the war.

I am still looking for any letters, dairy, journal, or reminiscences by him. I wished I knew where he was buried a few years ago. I lived for almost three years in Peachtree City (2004-2007) and with duty at Fort McPherson, Georgia and could have easily visited his grave in Newnan. I did visit the grave of the regimental surgeon George W. Peddy at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan.

We should probably check the Georgia State Library and Archives for additional material since he held two civil offices. There may be something among the papers of Governor Jospeh E. Brown.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
M.A. Military History - Civil War Concentration
Research - Preservation
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment