WESTVILLE: Judge W M Hawkins died last Saturday a m, after a prolonged siege of health and sickness, during which he had the close and constant treatment of skilled physicians and tender nursing, but all in vain; the old veteran's days were numbered and he quietly, peacefully fell asleep. Sunday at 10 o'clock a long procession, composed of old comrades, bearing the "bonny blue flag" that he followed four years through scenes of battle and carnage, and sympathizing friends and grief stricken family to the city cemetery, where appropriate burial services were performed by a comrade, Rev Wm Sapp, and all that was mortal of the old heroe was deposited in the silent grave, there to rest till the resurrection morn. SOURCE: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay FL, Saturday, 14 Oct 1911; transcribed by Cathy Strickland Popp ---------------------------------- IN MEMORIAM: Judge W M Hawkins, the subject of this sketch, was born in Henry county, Alabama, in Oct 1836. When he attained manhood he went to Mississippi and engaged in overseeing a plantation until the civil war came on, when he jointed the company of Capt O R Singleton, first company raised in his county, afterwards known as Company "C", 18th Regiment, Barksdale Brigade, McClaws Division, Longstreets Corp, Army Northern Virginia. He was with Lee in nearly all his famous battles, being captured and a prisnor (sic) at Fort Henry, Md, a short time. He was in both of the Manassas battles; was in the famous Fredericksburg battle when "Barksdale's riflemen" held Burnside's army in check and kept them from crossing the river until "Mars Robert" was ready for them and inflicted defeat upon three times his force. On May 6, 1864, "Hawkeye", as he was popularly known among his comrades, in the famous battle of the Wilderness, was shot down in an ambush of the ememy (sic), and "Hawkeye" battles were over. His good right leg he gave in testimony of his devotion to his native land. After suffering incredible hardships and excruciating agonies from his unhealed wound, he finally arrived in his Alabama home. Learning the shoemaker's trade, he bravely faced the issues of life. Marrying one who has been more than wife, his unfailing helpmate in the battle of life, who is entitled to equal credit with her heroic lifemate, they conquered success from the "hard times" after the war, rearing a large family of industrious children. Moving to Elba, Ala, there he was elected County Clerk, serving three successive terms. Moving to Westville, Fla, in 1893 he was here but a short time comparatively when he was elected County Judge, which office he filled with usual integrity and devotion to duty. He was chiefly instrumental in organizing the old soldiers of Holmes county into Camp Finley, U C V serving as commander until a short time before his decease, realizing his near departure, he called his comrades around his sick bedside, and in touching terms, resigned his charge, leaving the camp financially sound and correct. The old one-legged veteran hath fought his last battle, and while grim Death hath seemed to triumph in the dissolution of his mortal frame, the spirit of Life, through Christ Our Redeemer, will triumph over death and the grave. Yea, the old hero has followed his comrades "gone on before" across the river of Life to "rest beneath the shade of the trees" until the resurrection morn. Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep! By His Friend, "Old W D" SOURCE: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay FL, Saturday, 14 Oct 1911; transcribed by Cathy Strickland Popp -------------------------------- A Memoriam: We, the undersigned committee of Camp Finley No 1915, U C V Westville, Fla, appointed to draw up a memoriam of the life and death of our beloved comrade, W M Hawkins, do herein comply with sad appointments as follows: W M Hawkins was born in Henry county, Ala, Oct 16, 1836. There he was reared to manhood's estate, and then he moved to Mississippi and resided there until the great civil war occurred. He was among the first who volunteered into the confederate army, joining what was afterwards Co C, 18th Regiment, Barksdale's brigade, McCall's Div Longstreet's Corp, Army Northern Virginia, at Canton, Miss, March 17, 1861. He was in the first battle of Manassas and thence on he fought through sixteen general engagements, until at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, he received a wound that caused the loss of his right leg and his discharge from service. Returning home to his native state, he learned the shoemaker's trade, and by that means was able to stem the tide of life. He was elected clerk of the circuit court of Coffee county, Alabama, serving his county with usual distinguished ability for three successive terms. In 1893 he moved to Westville, then county seat of Holmes county, Florida, where he was elected County Judge, filling that office with honor to himself and credit to his adopted country (sic). He was the moving spirit in the organization of Camp Finley, U C V, and served as commander as long as health would permit. He was beloved by all his comrades and when weakness preyed upon his person and it pleased God to call him home to rest from his labors, he passed from time to eternity on the 7th day of Oct 1911, leaving behind an affectionate wife and six loving children to mourn his sad demise. We feel that their loss is his eternal gain, as he is at rest with the Lord, where all tears are wiped away and sorrow and troubles shall be no more. On Oct 8th the remains were followed by a long procession of mourning loved ones and grief stricken friends to the city cemetery at Westville where appropriate burial services were performed by veteran Rev Sapp, after which the remains were deposited in the silent grave. By resolution a copy of this memoriam will be spread on the minute book of Camp Finley and a copy sent to the Holmes County Advertiser and Pensacola Journal for publication. Wm SAPP. A P PEACOCK, W A CUMBIE, Committee SOURCE: Holmes County Advertiser, Bonifay FL, Saturday, 21 Oct 1911; transcribed by Cathy Strickland Popp