He was 39 years old when he was enlisted (3, 6). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6).
He was a shoemaker when he was enlisted (6).
He was 5 feet 8-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (6).
He was enlisted before enlisting in the 91st (6).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 23 September 1861 (1, 3, 4, 6). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Smith, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 6). He was mustered in as a corporal at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3 [priv], 4 [corp]). He initially served in company D (1).
He was transferred to company F on 31 October 1861 (2).
He was reduced to the ranks on 4 March 1862 (4, 6).
He was discharged at Franklin Square Barracks, Washington DC, on 2 April 1862 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 4, 5, 6). He was "subject to chronic rheumatism" even before enlisting (5).
On 5 June 1886, his widow, Augusta Watkins, applied unsuccessfully from New Jersey for a pension (7, 8).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (William E Watkins)
2 company D, register of men transferred, entry 18 (William E Watkins)
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 10 August 2004 (William E Watkins)
4 company F, list of non-commissioned officers (William Watkins)
5 company F, register of men discharged (Wm E Watkins)
6 company F, descriptive roll, #12 (William E Watkins)
7 pension index, by name (William E Watkins)
8 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (William E Watkins)