Pvt. Lorenzo Dow Watson, (USA)

Thanks to Nan (#47105584)

Lorenzo was a mere 16 when he enlisted in the Civil War Union Army. He witnessed the death of his cousin John Watson along with many others in the Battle of Shiloh. He wrote the following poem (Kenneth L Alford's book, Civil War Saints).

"At night we lay together Near the waters of the Tennessee When before the dawn We woke at the alarm Of the advancing enemy.

That day when forced from cover Under the merciless hail of lead Together we sank At the river's bank While all 'round us lay dead

"Buell is coming", he shouted As I handed him my bruised canteen. We took it and drank, Returned it, and sank Suddenly down, the dead between.

A red stream 'neath his visor Showed why he utter no cry, I knelt in the sand As I grasped his hand And 'midst the dying watched him die.

That night with a broken mess-pan I there hollowed his grave in the sand And at the break of day I left him to lay At rest in peace in that southern land."

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 26 2017, 17:25:26 UTC