BG James Alexander Walker

BG James Alexander Walker was born at Mount Sidney, Virginia on 27 Aug 1832. He was the oldest of 3 children of Alexander and Hannah Mary (Henton) Walker.  James received his early education at private schools, later attending the Virginia Military Institute. During his senior year there, he was dismissed on charges preferred by a professor, his future commander, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Although James challenged Jackson to a duel, the two did not meet. He then worked for the Carrington and Ohio Railway before studying law at the University of Virginia. Following his graduation, he practiced his profession in Pulaski County, Virginia. James married Sarah Ann Poage in November 1858 and the couple's first child, a daughter, was born in September 1859. James was elected as Commonwealth's Attorney for Pulaski County in November of that same year. The Walkers would have another daughter born in November 1860.

When Virginia seceded, James entered Confederate service as Captain of the Pulaski Guard. He initially served under Jackson at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, then became Lieutenant Colonel of the 13th Virginia Infantry. In February 1862 he succeeded BG Ambrose Powell Hill as Colonel of the regiment, leading it in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley, Seven Days', and Second Bull Run Campaigns. A skillful, ferocious combat officer, he commanded Trimble's brigade at Antietam, where he suffered a wound. He commanded another brigade at Fredericksburg in December 1862 and at Chancellorsville in May 1863. His prowess as an officer so impressed Jackson that "Stonewall" specially requested his promotion to Brigadier General. He received his commission, and command of the Stonewall Brigade, which he led at Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. At the battle of Spotsylvania Court House, in the "bloody angle" he was grievously wounded when his left elbow was shattered by a bullet. On his return to duty, he commanded a division at Petersburg, and in the surrender at Appomattox. 

After the war, he returned to Pulaski County, where he farmed and resumed his legal practice. He was elected to the state legislature as a Democrat in 1869 and served two terms. The following year, the Virginia Military Institute granted him an honorary degree, in recognition of his war career and listed him on the rolls as a graduate of the Institute. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1876. He eventually split with the Democratic party and, as a Republican, served 2 terms in the United States House of Representatives. James' great-grandson, Manley Caldwell Butler, would years later also serve in the Congress as a Republican. 

BG Walker died on 21 Oct 1901 in Wytheville, Virginia. He rests forever in Eastend Cemetery in Wytheville. 

Note: this was published 100-years after his death.