Company Aytch by Sam Watkins

Samuel Watkin's Diary

Patriotism and Misery in the Narrative of Samuel Watkins

The writings of Samuel Rush Watkins are considered one of the best personal accounts of the Civil War. His writings document the actions and activities of Co. H., First Tennessee Regiment, which coincidentally was the title for the first edition of the book. The book is a biased perspective, as the author was a soldier for the southern states. Throughout his book he speaks out against northern doctrine and promotes the southern cause. However, his perspective being put aside, this book stands as one of the best documentaries that chronicles the conditions of the soldiers and citizens during the Civil War. This research will explore two wartime circumstances that affected Watkins experience. The first circumstance is that Watkin's social class and that he fought for the South affected his experiences and works. The second circumstance is the terrain and climate in which the experiences took place.

In support of the first circumstance that influences Watkins writing, Watkins makes the following statement.

"Secession may have been wrong in the abstract, and has been tried and settled by the arbitrament of the sword and bayonet, but I am as firm in. my convictions today of the right of secession as I was in 1861. The South is our country, the North is the country of those who live there. We are an agricultural people; they are a manufacturing people," (p.7).

This statement is perhaps the best condensed version of the reasons behind the Civil War and the philosophies that drove its existence. In a few sentences, Watkins summarized the southern philosophy and feelings about the South. Throughout the narrative Watkins refers to the Yankee troops as the enemy. It is apparent that he considers them the invaders. In several cases, Watkins gets to know one of the other side personally, but even though he is compassionate, it does not dissuade him from doing his duty as a soldier (p. 12).

He still maintains that those who come from the North have no business in the South. He believes that if they wish to have a different lifestyle, than they should keep themselves. He is pro-succession and maintains this philosophy throughout the book. His culture and southern upbringing echo throughout the narrative. Culture and the society in which he grew up shaped his political opinions and his voice throughout the book. His descriptions of the battles, clothing, manners, and the life of a soldier during this war are remarkable. However, it is his commentary and feelings about the northern invaders as well as his descriptions of the South that make this work stand out from other narratives. He often does not directly site or talk about his feelings, but they are apparent in his language and in his actions. The following is an example of how Watkins inserted feeling and passion into his writing.

"Flags made by the ladies were presented to companies, and to hear the young orators tell of how they would protect that flag, and that they would come back with the flag or come not at all, and if they fell they would fall with their backs to the field and their feet to the foe, would fairly make our hair stand on end with intense patriotism, and we wanted to march right off and whip twenty (Yankees," (p.6).

Through passages such as this Watkins provided a glimpse of the Civil War that is seldom found in other first person accounts.

It is not only Watkin's cultural ties with the South and southern upbringing that influence his writing and opinions. His writing style and word choice provide a clue as to his social status in his life prior to entering the army. First of all, the fact that he can write and keep a journal demonstrates that he is from the southern upper class. Education was a sign of wealth. However, not only could Watkin's write and read, his diction and word choice demonstrate a higher level of education. It was apparent that Watkin's was in tune with politics of the time as well. He expresses a deeper understanding of the political issues and bigger picture than he would have if he had grown up in a poor household. Watkin's educational status undoubtedly also had an impact on his writing and opinions.

The second supposition of this essay is that the terrain and climate in which the experiences took place also had a significant effect on Watkin's experience as a soldier. This, Watkin's also conveys through similar passages and descriptive techniques. The following is an example of how the terrain affected the mental state of Watkins and other soldiers in his regiment.

"No sooner would we arrive at a place that seemed to be the top than another view of a higher, and yet higher mountain would rise before us. From the foot to the top of the mountain the soldiers lined the road, broken down and exhausted." (p. 9).

Watkin's talks about how the most patriotic soldier can lose their heart when the conditions become tough, even to the point where they speak against their leaders. In the following example, we will see how sufferings shaped the experience of not only Watkins but his fellow soldiers as well.

"The snow and ice on the ground being packed by the soldiers tramping, the horses hitched to the artillerywagons were continually slipping and sliding and falling and wounding themselves and sometimes killing their riders. The wind whistling with a keen and piercing shriek, seemed as if they would freeze the marrow in our bones. The soldiers in the whole army got rebellious -- almost mutinous -- and would curse and abuse Stonewall Jackson" (p,14)

The following is another glimpse of Watkin's experiences with the weather.

"I could hear nothing for the roaring of the storm, and could see nothing for the blinding rain and flying dirt and bricks and other rubbish. The storm lasted but a few minutes, but those minutes seemed ages." (p. 42)

It was apparent through his adjectives and descriptions of the terrain and weather that he was not accustomed to these conditions. He seldom mentions the weather when it is pleasant and sunny. However he spends considerable time describing the conditions when they are miserable. He seldom uses positive descriptive words when talking about the terrain or weather. In summary, a close reading of Watkin's work demonstrates that he was a patriot heart and understood the larger issues surrounding the war.

If one takes the work as a whole, a pattern develops in Watkin's writing. He seems to have written about whatever stands out most in his mind at the time. Unlike modern journalism, he does not try to give an unbiased account of the happenings that he witnesses. This is a personal diary and provides a view of the world from his viewpoint. In the beginning of the narrative, Watkins discusses the "issues" surrounding the war. He spends much time on the pleasures of the ladies, but complains about the terrain and weather. As circumstances deteriorate, most of the narrative is spent talking of hunger, and misery.