Sam R. Watkins

SAM HIMSELF

Sam R. Watkins, High Private, CSA.
"Us boys' all took a small part in the fracas."

This picture is from the hard cover edition of "Co. Aytch" by Sam Watkins during his visit to the battlefields around Murfreesboro and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sam was a Confederate soldier of the Maury Grays, Co. H, First Tennessee Volunteer Regiment during the American Civil War 1861-1865.

Sam's book "Co. Aytch", written several years after the war, is a wonderful account of the common soldier's experiences. Original edition was published in 1882.

"Co. Aytch" was chosen by Ken Burns, producer of the nine-part Public Television series on the Civil War, to represent the viewpoint of Confederate soldiers in that war. Many of Sam's colorful expressions and memorable quotes were used in the series and I've run across many of Sam's quotes in other places.

Sam lived in Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee before the war. After four years of participating in nearly all the biggest battles in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and even up into North Carolina, Sam was one of only seven men of his regiment to survive. He returned to Columbia to marry his sweetheart Jennie and is buried there in his hometown.

The book "Co. Aytch" is available from
Broadfoot Publishing Co.
Barnes and Noble


Melinda E. Mason

Many thanks to Broadfoot Publishing Co., of Wilmington, N.C, USA.
for permission to have this picture of Sam in the Watkins Photo Gallery.