Moses B. Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moses B. Walker
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | July 16, 1819 Fairfield County, Ohio |
| Died | December 17, 1895 (aged 76) Kenton, Ohio |
| Buried |
Grove Cemetery in Kenton
|
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 31st Ohio Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | lawyer, judge |
Moses B. Walker (born July 16, 1819 – died December 17, 1895) was an important officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also had a career as a lawyer and judge.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Moses B. Walker was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, on July 16, 1819. He went to college at Augusta College in Kentucky. He also studied at Yale College and Cincinnati Law School. This helped him become a lawyer.
Before the war, Walker served in the Ohio government. He was a member of the Ohio Senate from 1850 to 1851. This is where laws are made for the state of Ohio. He also worked as a lawyer and later became a judge.
Military Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Moses B. Walker joined the Union Army. He started as a captain in the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment on August 23, 1861.
Soon after, on September 23, 1861, he was promoted to colonel. He was put in charge of the 31st Ohio Infantry Regiment. This was a big responsibility, leading many soldiers.
Leading Troops in Battle
Colonel Walker often commanded groups of soldiers called brigades. He led these brigades in important armies like the Army of the Ohio and the Army of the Cumberland. These armies fought in many major battles during the war.
He was injured during a very famous battle called the Battle of Chickamauga. This happened on September 23, 1863. Even though he was wounded, he continued to serve.
After the War
Moses B. Walker left the volunteer army on July 20, 1865. He then retired from the regular United States Army on February 19, 1866. He received another promotion on July 28, 1866, becoming a colonel on the retired list.
On January 13, 1866, the President of the United States, Andrew Johnson, wanted to give Walker a special honor. He nominated Walker to be a "brevet" brigadier general. A brevet rank is an honorary promotion, meaning he had the title but not always the full pay or command of that rank. The United States Senate agreed to this promotion on March 12, 1866.
Post-War Career and Later Life
After the Civil War, Moses B. Walker continued his public service. In 1868, he ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but did not win.
He then moved to Texas. There, he helped with the military occupation of Texas after the war. This was a time when the federal government helped rebuild and reorganize the southern states. From 1869 to 1874, Walker served as an associate justice on the Texas Supreme Court. This meant he was one of the main judges in Texas.
Moses B. Walker passed away in Kenton, Ohio, on December 17, 1895. He was buried in Grove Cemetery in Kenton, Ohio.
