Did Sam Watkins take this slave with him when he left for the war. Did he even exist ? Sam never mentions him in his diary. He does bewail the " 20 slave law " that allowed anyone with 20 slaves to go home ! I've seen writings lately that say the Watkins were wealthy slave-owners. Is this true ? If so why wouldn't Sam's father provide the other 19 slaves and get his son out of the Army ?

Glenn Land