Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

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[450] fierce battle of Okeechobee, where the Seminoles were completely overthrown, Walker was wounded three times, and by his gallant conduct won the brevet of first lieutenant. Again, in 1840-42, he served against the Indians in Florida. In 1845 he became a captain. By the time of the opening of the Mexican war he had already gained great experience as a soldier, and was thoroughly familiar with all the discomforts and perils of army life. He participated in the principal engagements of the Mexican war; for heroic conduct at Contreras was promoted to major, and for similar gallantry was made lieutenant-colonel at Molino del Rey, where he was desperately wounded. For a long time it was thought that he would die, but his life was spared for service in a more stupendous conflict In 1849 the State of Georgia presented a sword to Colonel Walker as a tribute to his gallantry in Florida and Mexico. He was commandant of cadets and instructor of infantry tactics at West Point from 1854 to 1856. In 1860 he resigned his commission in the United States army. The mutterings of the coming storm could then be plainly heard. He regretted sincerely the rupture between the North and South, as did all those who had ever served in the army of the United States. But he did not hesitate as to his duty or his inclination, and threw his whole soul into the tender of service which he made to the Confederate government. At first he served his own State as major-general of the First division of Georgia volunteers, being appointed by the State, April 25, 1861. One month from that time he accepted the commission of brigadier-general in the army of the Confederate States. He served at Pensacola during a part of 1861. He was not of great physical strength, and his arduous military services had told on him, so that for more than a year from October, 1861, he was out of the conflict, but on the 5th of February, 1863, he re-entered the army as brigadier-general, and was placed in command at Savannah. On May 23d he was promoted to