Heath raised a company of volunteers in Waterville, which he was appointed captain. This company soon merged with the 3rd Maine Volunteers, where he served as Colonel. He later became Lieut-Colonel of the 5th Maine Volunteers. He was killed at battle of Gaine's Mill, Virginia in 1862.
The Corporal’s Musket
Take down the Corporal’s Musket, my grand-
sire brought it back,
From Yorktown, in the winter, on a long and
weary track;
Though the bivouac was over and the march
and fight were done;
Through the mire and snow he bore it; for the sol-
dier loved his gun;
And he hung it by the fireside’mid the branch-
ing pines of Maine;
Take down the Corporal’s musket, we need it
now again.
The rust has slowly gathered in the years that
since have flown,
Upon that good old barrel which once like sil-
ver shone;
It has a quaint and war-worn look, the fashion
of the stock
Perhaps is only equaled by the fashion of the
lock;
But living sparks of Seventy-Six may in the
flint remain,
Take down the Corporal’s musket, we need it
now again!