John George Walker (Notable Americans)

WALKER, John George, soldier, was born in Jefferson City, Mo., July 22, 1822; son of John Walker, treasurer of Missouri. He attended the Jesuit college of St. Louis; was appointed 1st lieutenant of mounted rifles, U.S.A., on the outbreak of the Mexican war, and was promoted brevet captain in August, 1847. He took part in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, and was severely wounded at Molino del Rey. He served in the west and southwest; resigned his commission in the U.S. army, July 31, 1861 ; joined the Confederate States army and was appointed major of the cavalry corps. He was promoted brigadier-general, Jan. 9, 1862, commanded Loudoun Heights on the investment of Harper's Ferry, and was the first to open fire upon that place, causing the surrender of the Federal troops. He commanded a division in Longstreet's corps under Gen. Robert E. Lee in the Maryland campaign, taking part in the battle of Antietam, and commanded a division in the Red River campaign under Gen. E. Kirby Smith. He was promoted major-general, Nov. 8, 1863, and commanded the district of West Louisiana in the Trans-Mississippi department, June-August, 1864; the district of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, August, 1864-February, 1865, and commanded Wharton's cavalry corps, February-May, 1865. He commanded Forney's division, trans-Mississippi department until the close of the war when he went to Mexico and later to England. Returning to the United States he resided in Winchester, Va., where he engaged in mining and railway operations. He was U.S. consul-general at Bogota; and a commissioner to invite the South American republics to send representatives to the convention of American republics at Washington. He died in Washington, D.C., July 20, 1893.