Robert was killed in action in the Battle Before Atlanta at the intersection of I-20 and Grant Street. He was a private in the 68th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Killed by a Minie ball in the left temple.

Civil War veteran6

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Biography written by Donald Park with edits by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please DO NOT publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you. 
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It is believed that Robert Hawkins was born about 1818 in Franklin County, Indiana. His muster records indicate a later birthdate, in 1822, but all other records point to this earlier date. He married Mary Ann Jones on 12 Jan 1837, and together they had seven children. Robert and his family moved to Carryall Township near Antwerp, Paulding County, Ohio, sometime between April 1851 and December 1863.

Records show that Robert Hawkins mustered in with Company C of the 68th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry at the age of 41 on 28 Dec 1863. He was killed on 22 Jul 1864 in the Battle of Atlanta, and is buried in the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, in Section E, grave 5837. Also mustering in with Company C of the 68th OVVI were George M. Hawkins, age 18, on 28 Dec 1863, and John M. Hawkins, age 18, on 26 Dec 1863. George and John survived the war and mustered out on 10 Jul 1865. (John M. Hawkins was Robert's son.)

The 68th OVVI was in the Seventeenth Army Corps, Third Division, Second Brigade. An account of their activities on 22 Jul 1864 appears on page 573 of The Annals of the Civil War in "Reports, Etc" for the Military Division of the Mississippi, Army of Tennessee. Based on that account plus battlefield maps, one can locate the place where Robert Hawkins died. The spot is in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of I-20 and Moreland Avenue in Atlanta.

The book, "Company Aytch" by Sam Watkins, tells of the exploits of Sam Watkins during the Civil War as an enlisted man in the 1st Tennessee Regiment. He tells on page 151 of the book about his role in the Battle of Atlanta on 22 Jul 1864. Based on this account, it seems likely that someone within the 1st Tennessee Regiment killed Robert Hawkins.

From War Service and Pension Records, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Service: 

1. Private, Company C, 68 Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry

2. Enlisted on 28 Dec 1863 at Antwerp, Ohio

3. Mustered in 28 Feb 1864 at Columbus, Ohio

4. Killed in the "Battle of Atlanta" on 22 Jul 1864. The surgeon's report says he was shot in the head above the left eye by a "Minie" ball and died instantly.

From the Pension Application and Amendments by Mary Ann Jones Hawkins and Robert's Pension File:

1. Robert Hawkins married Mary Ann Jones on 12 Jan 1837 in Franklin County, Indiana

2. Seven children were born to this union (all in Franklin County, Indiana) - Evaline (b. 21 Dec 1839), Nancy (b. 04 Nov 1841), Rachel J. (b. 04 Mar 1843), John M. (b. 24 Apr 1845), Ezekiel (b. 26 Apr 1847), Elizabeth M. (b. 04 Mar 1849), William (b. 19 Apr 1851). Please note that the birth dates provided on this application are not always in agreement with dates provided on Census and death records for her children. 

3. Mary Ann Jones Hawkins initially received $8 per month as a pension, based on having two minor children (under the age of 16) at the time of Robert's death. The pension was cancelled after her marriage to Zephaniah Bell of Antwerp, Paulding County, Ohio, on 26 Jan 1873. She petitioned to have the pension reinstated and increased in 1880, after Zephaniah's death. Her request was granted, and her pension was increased to $12 per month. 

Additional Notes: 

Evaline does not appear on any Census records or other documents found by this researcher. The only evidence of her existence is Mary Ann's pension application. 

Robert's sons, William and John M., married sisters Matilda and Susan Sines. Their mother, Belinda Woods Sines, is a witness on behalf of Mary Ann Jones Hawkins for her Pension Application. 

CHILDREN:
John M. Hawkins 
Evaline Hawkins (1839- )
Nancy Hawkins (1841- )
Rachel Jane Hawkins Barrick Meyers
Ezekiel Hawkins (1847-1925) 
Elizabeth Hawkins Richmond 
William Hawkins 

SPOUSE:
Mary Ann Jones Hawkins Bell (1820-1884)