Walter C. Whitaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Chiles Whitaker
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Walter Chiles Whitaker
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| Born | August 8, 1823 Shelbyville, Kentucky |
| Died | July 9, 1887 (aged 63) Lyndon, Kentucky |
| Place of burial |
Grove Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville, Kentucky
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 6th Kentucky Infantry Regiment 1st Bde, 1st Div, Reserve Corps 2nd Bde, 1st Div, IV Corps 1st Div, IV Corps |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Walter Chiles Whitaker (born August 8, 1823 – died July 9, 1887) was an American who worked as a farmer, a lawyer, and a soldier. He was an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War. Later, he became a Union general during the American Civil War. After the war, he went back to working as a lawyer.
Contents
Walter Whitaker's Early Life and Career
Walter Whitaker was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky. He went to Bethany College in what is now West Virginia. Whitaker was working as a lawyer when the Mexican-American War started.
Joining the Mexican-American War
In 1847, Whitaker volunteered to serve in the war against Mexico. He became a second lieutenant in the 6th Kentucky Infantry Regiment on October 1. He served until July 21, 1848, when his time in the army ended.
Returning to Kentucky
After the war, Whitaker returned home to Kentucky. He started running a large farm. He also became a lawyer in Shelbyville, focusing on criminal cases. Later, he was chosen to be a lawmaker in the Kentucky General Assembly. He served there until the American Civil War had already begun. While in the state senate, Whitaker suggested a plan that helped Kentucky join the side of the Union. This decision ended the state's short time of staying neutral in the war.
Walter Whitaker's Civil War Service
In late 1861, Walter Whitaker decided to support the Union cause. He rejoined the U.S. Army. On December 24, he was made a colonel of his old group, the 6th Kentucky.
Key Battles and Injuries
The 6th Kentucky fought in the Battle of Stones River in 1862. Whitaker was hurt in his left elbow on December 31, the first day of the battle. During that day, his regiment helped defend an area called Round Forest.
On June 25, 1863, Whitaker was promoted to brigadier general. In August, he was given command of a group of soldiers called a brigade in the Army of the Cumberland. He fought in the Union defense at the Battle of Chickamauga that fall. On September 20, he was wounded again, this time in his stomach. He continued to serve in the Army of the Cumberland. He fought at Lookout Mountain and Rossville Gap during the Third Battle of Chattanooga on November 23. He was wounded a third time during that fight.
Whitaker and his brigade then fought during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864. He took part in the Battle of Resaca that spring. On May 15, he received his last Civil War injury there. He was hurt by the force of an artillery shell that exploded nearby. He got better by that fall. On September 19, he was given command of a larger group called a division in the Army of the Cumberland. Whitaker fought in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. He then fought in the Battle of Nashville on December 15 and 16, serving under Major General George H. Thomas.
End of War Service
On March 13, 1865, Whitaker was given the honorary rank of brevet major general. This was for his actions near Atlanta, Georgia. He officially left the Union Army on August 24, after the American Civil War had ended.
Life After the War
After leaving the U.S. Army, Walter Whitaker became a lawyer again in Louisville, Kentucky. He focused on criminal cases. He died at the age of 63 in Lyndon, Kentucky. He was buried in Shelbyville's Grove Hill Cemetery.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
