James A. Walker
| James A. Walker | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 9th district |
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In office March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1899 |
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| Preceded by | James W. Marshall |
| Succeeded by | William F. Rhea |
| 13th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
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In office January 1, 1878 – January 1, 1882 |
|
| Governor | Frederick W. M. Holliday |
| Preceded by | Henry W. Thomas |
| Succeeded by | John F. Lewis |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Pulaski County | |
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In office December 6, 1871 – January 1, 1874 |
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| Preceded by | William J. Wall |
| Succeeded by | John B. Alexander |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Alexander Walker August 27, 1832 Augusta, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 21, 1901 (aged 69) Wytheville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party |
Republican (1893–1901) Democratic (before 1893) |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah A. Poage |
| Alma mater |
Virginia Military Institute University of Virginia |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | "Stonewall Jim" |
| Allegiance |
 Confederate States
|
| Service/branch |
 Confederate States Army
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| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Unit | 4th Virginia Infantry |
| Commands |
13th Virginia Infantry Stonewall Brigade Early`s Division |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
James Alexander Walker (August 27, 1832 – October 21, 1901) was a Virginia lawyer, politician, and Confederate general during the American Civil War, later serving as a United States Congressman for two terms. He earned the nickname "Stonewall Jim" for his days as commander of the famed Stonewall Brigade.
Walker was born near Mount Meridian in Augusta County, Virginia on August 27, 1832. He attended private schools as a youth and attended the Virginia Military Institute. In 1852, while in the class of Natural and Experimental Philosophy under then-Major Thomas Jackson, Cadet Walker perceived that Jackson was challenging his integrity. He, therefore, refused to follow a directive of Jackson to sit down and "stop talking" unless Jackson would also stop talking. Jackson excused Walker from class and charged him with disobeying an order. Cadet Walker, a cadet officer who would have graduated in only weeks, challenged Jackson to a duel to defend his honor. Walker was court-martialed and expelled from the institute for insubordination to an officer. Notably Walker's name was added to the rolls of graduates of VMI several years later.
Afterwards Walker returned to civilian life. He studied law at the University of Virginia in 1854 and 1855, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, before being admitted to the bar the following year. He established a successful law practice in Newbern in Pulaski County. In 1858 he married Sarah A. Poage of Augusta County, Virginia. The couple would have six children. He became an attorney for the Commonwealth in 1860.
With the outbreak of the Civil War and Virginia's eventual secession, Walker entered the Confederate Army in April 1861 as captain of the "Pulaski Guards", which soon became Company C of the 4th Virginia Infantry. In July 1861, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned to the 13th Virginia Infantry. Walker was again promoted, this time to colonel, in March 1862, leading his regiment in several actions. His regiment became a part of the Second Corps under command of Lt. Gen. Thomas Jackson. During the Maryland Campaign Walker was acting as brigade commander for the wounded Isaac Trimble; but he was wounded himself at the Battle of Antietam. At the Battle of Fredericksburg he acted as brigade commander for Jubal Early. General Jackson, on his deathbed after being shot by friendly fire at the Battle of Chancellorsville, requested Walker to be given command of the Stonewall Brigade; which Jackson had formed and led first. Walker was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the Stonewall Brigade in May 1863.
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