Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

The vice president Of the association for
| Indiana is Col. ]. \. Walker, late commander
OF the Department of Indiana, G.. A. r. He
was born in that state about 1912, and has been
| identified with the National Association of e1-
Prisoners of War from its organization.
The colonel Is q painstaking, hard working
efficient man, in whatever position he may be
placed. When his regiment, the seventy third
Indiana volunteers, was at Louisville in the fall
OF 1862 he was then young man commanding
company and possessed the fullest confidence
OF the colonel of his regiment Col Gilbert
hathaway, and soon the casualties Of
war made vacant the majorship Col. Hathaway
recommended the promotion OF Capt. Walker
to be ma or OF the regiment. The resignation
OF the lieutenant colonel left that position
vacant and Maj. Walker was commissioned to
the second position Of the regiment. These
promotions had taken place between October
1852. and February, 1868. and in the meantime
Col Walker had passed through the battles Of
Perryville and Stone River under the eyes of
his colonel. Col. Walker was assigned to the
position OF lieutenant colonel of his regiment
during the battle Of Stone River. During this
time Col Hathaway was ably assisted by Col
Walker, and in due time commissioned by
Gov. Morton to be lieutenant colonel of the
regiment At the battle Of Blounts Planta-
ton, near Gadesden, Ala, Col. Hathaway was
killed and Col. Walker assumed command.
The regiment was compelled to surrender. The
officers tabout 100 CT them were separated
from the men and sent to Libby prison. where
among other unfortunate Union officers. they
were left to endure the semi-starving process.
Col. Walker escaped from Libby through the
tunnel in February. 1864, but was recaptured
four days later and returned to that place
where he remained TIL the following May, when
he was specially exchanged and returned to his
regiment, and continued in the service until
from exposure. hard service and long suffering
In Libby was unable longer to endure camp life
| and unwilling to be q burden to the govern
ment he resigned and returned to civil pur-
| suits; but even after that he became volunteer
| aid on the staff of Gen Wilson during the battle
OF Nashville. He remained in Nashville several
years after the war. and finally moved to
Indianapolis on account of ill health. For near
| ten years Col Walker was first deputy in the
county auditors Office Of Marion county and
his accommodating disposition pleasant. eff
| ficient and agreeable manner of doing business
were subjects of common remarks by those who
transacted business III that Office.
DAVID T. DAVIES.
David T. Davies president Of the Philadel-
phla Association of Union Ex-Prisoners of War;
is native of Wales. During the late war lie
enlisted for the term Of three years and Joined
company of the seventh Pennsylvania cavalry
volunteers and was in active service with the
regiment in Tennessee and Georgia. At the
battla OF Lovejoy station August 20, 1864,
the cavalry which was then under command Of
Gen. kllpatrick) was completely surrounded.
Ona charge being made in order to cut through
| the rebel lines Mr.. Davies horse was killed
under him and he was left on the field dis
mounted, slightly wounded. Late in the after
noon Of the same day while pressing forward on
foot 20 overtake the command he was captured
by four rebel cavalry, taken to Loyejoy station,
where he found Capt. Thompson Of his COM
pany and other officers and comrades,
| who were also in the hands Of the
rebels as prisoners. Two days afterward was
taken to Andersonvile prison. where he re-
NAMED for a time. when he was transferred with
many others to Camp Millen, and then to Sa-
vannah thence to Blackshear and back again to
Andersonvile remained at Andersonville until
April, 1865. when he was transferred to camp
ION neutral ground near Ticksburg, Miss,
where he received medical treatment at the hos
p:tal and afterward paroied.
Mr.. Davies has been an active member Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic since 1869, ana
has held the position Of aid-de-camp on the
staff OF tho late Gen. John F. Hartrauft, COM
mander-in-chef, for two terms. assistant quarter
master general on the staff OF Gen. Given, De-
partment of Pennsyl0ania, secretary Of the
National Association Of Union Ex-prisoners of
War and several other Positions Of trust and re-
nponaibi!itv