September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
WALKER, William Henry Talbot (1816-1864) He was a career United States Army officer who fought with distinction during the Mexican-American War, and also served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Walker was severely wounded many times in combat, and was killed in action during the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. War-date Confederate general's Autograph Letter Signed "W.H.T. Walker" 4pp. octavo, Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 1, 1863, addressed to Governor Brown of Georgia, and reads in part: "...An impression prevailed here (I found a few days ago on my arrival) that the Georgia Troops and Troops raised for the defense of Georgia under no circumstances would be allowed to cross into Tennessee. I said without knowing your wear or determination that I was satisfied if a battle came off (which is now expected) you would not hesitate to throw your Georgia forces to Chattanooga and under all the assistance you could for I knew that you will understand the importance of our being victorious in the impending battle. Should the enemy succeed at Chattanooga the Georgia forces would be insufficient to stay the progress of his march but should the Georgia forces be thrown & by then Union with this Army assist in routing Rosecrans, Georgia and I may say the South would be redeemed. Was I right or wrong then in making the assertion that you would use them in the way I mention in case of necessity. In the present depression state of the public mind a defeat here would be almost crushing and a victory would bring back the spirit of the people to its former rigor & buoyancy. If we fail the miserable croaker Extortioners and its own guns would let loose in full cry against the Patriots of the revolution & deconstructionists would come from their hidden places & welcome with open arms the vile invaders....I thought often I would write you from Miss. but there was so little to cheer you that I would not write. All was done by Genl. Johnston & his little Army that could be done. A brick house could not be built out of plank..." Near fine condition. Walker transferred to the Confederate Army infantry as a colonel on April 25. He was promoted to brigadier general on May 25 and assigned the 1st brigade, 4th Division of the Potomac District of the Department of Northern Virginia on October 22. Seven days later he resigned his commission, either due to his health or from being dissatisfied with his assignments for the Confederacy. Almost immediately after resigning, Walker served in the Georgia militia again as a brigadier general from November 1861 to January 1863, when he resigned to re-enter the Confederate States Army. Walker resumed his brigadier general rank in the Confederate Army on February 9, 1863, and in May was assigned to brigade command to the Confederate Department of the West. On May 21 he was given divisional command in the same department, and he was promoted to major general on May 23. This promotion was strongly endorsed by the department's commander, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who considered Walker "the only officer in his command competent to lead a division." Walker then participated in the Vicksburg Campaign that summer in Johnston's command. Walker and his division were transferred to the Department of Mississippi & Eastern Louisiana in July and served there until August 23, when his command was added to the Reserve Corps of the Army of Tennessee until November 4. During this time Walker fought in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia that September as commander of that corps.
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