Polk County IA Archives Obituaries.....Doty , Nathan W. February 15, 1862
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 "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by LEONARD BROWN, 1869
Nathan W. Doty was born in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., July 1, 1839. His
father moved to Michigan, where Nathan went to the University and received a
good education, - could read and speak the German language with facility, having
learned it at school. " He was always," says his mother, “thirsting for
knowledge."  He loved the study of history - was well informed on almost every
subject -would converse with the most learned - had great argumentative powers -
and he wrote beautifully. His letters, written when he was a boy at school, were
greatly admired by persons of good taste and education. It could hardly be
credited that they were written by one so young. 
	He loved the green fields, the prairies and hills, and beautiful rivers. He
says, writing from Keokuk, June 1st, 1861: "We are now in our new quarters,
which are the best in the city. . . It is a most lovely day, and as I sit here
on the top verandah, my eye roams over some of the finest scenery I ever beheld.
We have a fine view of the Old Mississippi for several miles, as it moves along,
glittering in the bright sunlight; the prairies of Illinois rolling far away in
the distance -the bluffs of Missouri covered with trees and verdure of every
kind -so delightful!-I am almost willing to say that I could live here always
and cheerfully put up with the privations of a soldier's life." His heart was
all aglow with love of his country. "I am determined," said he to his mother,
“to see this Rebellion crushed or die in the cause." He had just returned from a
short furlough to his home in Michigan, when the battle of Donelson occurred. He
says:                                                                          
                   " LOCKPORT, Jan'y 10, 1862.
"Dear C--- I am all right in our old home. I made up my mind that I would like
some better to come and see the folks here than to go to Des Moines, inasmuch as
I had not seen this place in five years. I left home in Colon yesterday noon and
arrived here this morning at 4 o'clock - have not yet been out of town; but
shall go soon and visit all the folks. I shall go back to Colon in two weeks and
expect to start for the regiment in one week from that time.'
	Little did he think that so soon after his visit to his “old home," he must
pass to his home where the angels dwell. On the 15th of February, 1862, he fell
fighting bravely for the "old home," with the “God bless you" of his many
relatives and friends still warm in his heart.
	It is sometimes said of those who die on beds of tranquility at home, "They
died happy." Doty died triumphant. Just at the moment he was struck, he was
urging on his comrades, crying, “On, on boys, the day is ours!" The ball passed
through his heart. He did not speak afterwards; but (says Captain Marsh, in
whose arms he died), "A bright smile beamed on his countenance."
	He said to his mother when he parted from her for the last time, “I will put my
trust in God." He left home with gloomy forebodings; but he said he would rather
the greatest evil should befall him than miss going with his regiment. If he had
delayed at home a half a day longer he could not have been at the battle of
Donelson. He reached St. Louis just as the regiment was embarking.
	Colonel Tattle says in a letter published in the “Iowa State Register," shortly
after the battle of Donelson, “I don’t know how reports will reach you at home,
but here we are all covered with glory. Sergeant Doty was amongst the bravest of
the brave, and died like a hero."
	The following tribute written by D. C. R. appeared shortly after the death of
N. W. Doty: 
“’Onward, hurrah, onward, my boys,
The Second Iowa leads the van.' 
And marching, bravely, firmly on,
Young Doty fell. No coward heart,
No faltering there; the cannon's roar,
The whistling bullet, bursting bomb, 
had not a sound to pale his lip
Or blanch his cheek. How sweet the smile
That o'er his features calmly spread,
As victory seemed within his grasp.
  Why weep ye, friends? His soul has fled
To realms of beauty, there to raise
New anthems to his Maker's praise."

Additional Comments:
This is taken from "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by
LEONARD BROWN, published by Redhead & Wellslager, 41 Court Ave.Des Moines,IA. 1869.
This book contains remembrances of fallen soldiers from Polk County during the
Civil War. This includes some genealogical material as well.

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