BGEN James A. Walker, CSA - VMI Class of 1852

vmicraig

Sergeant
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Location
London, England
Interesting how he ended up in the Stonewall Brigade even after challenging Stonewall to a duel as a cadet!

Biographical Information

  • Early Life
    James Alexander Walker, born August 27, 1832, Augusta Co., Virginia. Parents: Alexander Walker and Hannah Hinton. Paternal grandparents: John Walker and Elizabeth Connelly. Maternal grandparents: Benjamin Hinton and Sarah Hopkins.
  • VMI record
    Entered VMI on August 23, 1848; court-martialed and dismissed May 1852, for disobedience in the classroom of Maj. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson; he subsequently challenged Jackson to a duel; granted honorary degree in 1872 in recognition of his war career.
  • Marriage
    In 1858, Sarah A. Poague [Poage] of Augusta Co., Virginia. They had six children.
  • Pre-Civil War
    Studied law at the University of Virginia (1854-1855) and began the practice of law in Newbern, Pulaski Co., Virginia. Elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Pulaski Co. in 1860.
  • Civil War
    Organized Pulaski Guards which became Co. C of the 4th Virginia Infantry; commissioned Lt. Col. 13th Virginia Infantry; Promoted to Brigadier General in the Stonewall Brigade in May 1863; severely wounded at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864; in Jan. 1865 was assigned to Early's Division.
  • Post-war
    Resumed law practice in Newbern; active in local and state politics; served two terms in state legislature; 1877 elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, serving until 1881; 1895-1899 served in U.S.Congress; died at Wytheville, Virginia on October 20, 1901.

JAWalker.jpg
 
(I put this together for an article on the Stonewall Brigade)

In May 1863, the same month that Jackson died, command of his old brigade was given to Brigadier General James Alexander Walker. The choice was an interesting twist of fate, given Walker’s memorable clash with Jackson years earlier at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Then a senior cadet ranked third in his class, Walker took great offense at a perceived slight from Professor Jackson, whose awkward rigid classroom demeanor was privately ridiculed by his students. On this occasion, in the heat of the moment, Walker challenged Jackson to a duel. For his transgression, punishment was predictable and swift. Although just weeks shy of his graduation, Walker was expelled. Having endured nearly four arduous years as a cadet, his promising military career had abruptly ended before it was launched. Yet Walker soon bounced back. He went on to graduate from the law school at the University of Virginia and was assigned as the Virginia Commonwealth’s attorney in Pulaski County.

When fate intervened nine years later, in the form of a civil war, demand was intense for anyone with prior military training. So it came to pass that Walker was given a rare second chance at the military profession. He raised a company in the county that was to become Company “C” of the Fourth Virginia infantry regiment. In the meantime, Jackson, who always had a keen eye for talent, perhaps came to recognize his own iron will and sense of honor in Walker’s rash actions as a student. In any case, when they next crossed paths again, the indomitable “Stonewall” was able to forgive and forget, and the two men reconciled. The old wound was finally healed when Walker, at Jackson’s instigation, received his belated diploma from VMI.
 
Walker was definitely a man with many facets but most importantly a man of personal bravery. An officer, especially in the Civil War, had to demonstrate courage to be an effective leader and Walker had it in spades!

I would loved to have been there when he and Jackson clashed in class!!
Regards
David
 
The story of how Walker went from banished VMI cadet at the hands of Stonewall Jackson, to taking command of the Stonewall Brigade is so amazing you couldn't make it up!
 
Walker remained the commander of the Stonewall Brigade until seriously wounded at the Mule Shoe (Spotsylvania May 12, 1864). He would be the last general officer to command the brigade. Following the battle the Stonewall Brigade and two other brigades were combined into a single brigade commanded by Brigadier General William Terry.
 
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