Nathaniel enlisted in the confederate army at the age of 50, along with his 3 oldest sons, William H., James W., and Albert J Powell. He left behind his wife Susannah, daughters Lucy, Sarah, Susannah, and Evelina, along with his three youngest sons, Elisha, Wiley, and Gustuvas (Gus).

Nathaniel, William, James and Albert were all at Fort Donelson (Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee) when the Union soldiers attacked and defeated the poorly armed soldiers at Fort Donelson. Nathaniel, James and Albert were sent to Camp Douglas, in Chicago, Il. William was an officer, therefore he was sent to Ohio to Camp Chase.

Nathaniel and the youngest of his sons to enlist, Albert both died of Cholera and dysentry while in Camp Douglas. Nathaniel and Albert are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, cofederate mound. Their names are on the large placards at the base of the monument.

His second son James, was traded at Vicksburg, James was put in Quarles regiment and fought at the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee, and was mortally wounded during that battle.

The oldest of his sons, William H. was also exchanged as a prisoner of war He went on the serve the confederate army until the war was over. He died penniless, his surviving children were uable to care for him in his advanced age so he was admitted to the confederate soldiers home in a suburb of Nashville, TN, called Donelson. The confederate soldiers home was on ajoining property of President Andrew Jacksons property. As the soldiers in the home died, they were buried on the grounds of Andrew Jacksons property, outside the Jackson family church.

Nathaniel D Powell