Biography of General Henry H. Walker

Born at "Elmwood" in Sussex County, Virginia on October 15, 1832, Walker graduated 41st in the 52 member West Point class of 1853. Walker rose to the rank of 1st lieutenant in the antebellum army. He saw most of his antebellum service in the Kansas "war" between pro and anti-slavery factions known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Walker resigned from the U.S. Army on May 3, 1861 and promptly joined the Confederacy. He was elected lieutenant colonel of the 40th Virginia regiment, that served in Field's Brigade.

Walker was twice wounded during the Seven Days, both times at Gaines Mill. He was commended by both Field and A.P. Hill. On July 1, 1863, he was appointed general. Walker finally returned to the Army of Northern Virginia in time to join the Third Corps as a brigade commander at Bristoe Station.

Walker was severely wounded at the battle of Spotsylvania, where his left foot was shattered. The foot had to be amputated, and Walker spent the rest of the War on court-martial duty in Richmond and, at the very end, guarding the Richmond-Danville Railroad. On April 10, 1865, President Jefferson Davis dispatched Walker to Danville to Joseph E. Johnston's army. However, Walker was paroled in Richmond on May 7, 1865. This ended his Confederate service. After the War, Walker became an investment broker in New Jersey. He died in Morristown on March 22, 1912 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery there.