A young hero.
--We copy the following from the New Orleans
Picayune:
‘
The papers of
Memphis contain an affecting notice of the funeral procession which followed to the grave the remains of
Lieut. Jas. Walker, a lad of that city, who fought like a young hero in the
battle of Belmont.
In that action he received a wound, of which he died immediately on reaching his father's house in
Memphis.
He was a son of
Samuel P. Walker, and grand-nephew of the late
President Polk.
His age was not over twenty, if so much.--He was a Lieutenant, we think, in the regiment of his uncle,
J. Knox Walker.
The
Captain of his company was shot early in the action.
The young
Lieutenant took command, led his company in the thickest of the battle, fighting and cheering gallantly for three hours at the head of his men. He was shot through the hips.
After having received the wound he set down on a log near by, giving the orders for 20 minutes, huzzaing his men on, and then, becoming too weak longer to support himself, he called to the
2d Lieutenant (Dagner) and said to him: ‘"Fight, Dagner; fight or died for God's sake don't let my men be taken prisoners!"’ and with the words fainted from exhaustion.
He barely survived to reach his father's house in
Memphis, when he expired, with these brave and affectionate words on his lips: ‘"Mother, I am dying, but I fought for you to the last"’ These are the young heroes whom the
South sends forth to battle in defence of their liberties, their country, and their mothers; who meet the invading enemy and as they pour out their hearts' blood for the cause, think tenderly of absent homes they are defending.
The whole Southern region is full of you the fired with the same generous and gallant resolves, but none are worthier of grateful remembrance than
Lieut. Walker.
’
