Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-17
DEATH OF GENERAL WALKER
TOLD OF BY AN EYE WITNESS

ed the division forward. This happened
Just before we entered an old broomsedge
field. AS soon as we got into the Held
Walker rode TO the left front OF the divis-
ion, and with his hat in his hand. was
cheering on his men. when the fatal bullet
struck him through the heart. Only three
of us were riding on that part OF the bat
tleheld-walker. lieutenant. Joe Bass. act
ing aide that day. and myself. Lying down
in the broomsedge field on the left OF ua
and parallel to our division was a regi-
ment of the enemy. not more than 30 yards
from US. 49,
'rWhen we were well into the field they
stood I'D and fred q voiley into as. and
that was when Walker fell. Pet his
mare. was killed. Bass horse was shot
down and mine was shot through the hip.
whew! it was a hot place for few min
utes for a poor old reb riding alone
through that lane Of fire. Myself and my
horse could have been bought cheap then.
was within few feet OF and looking in
tently at General Walker, and actually
saw the dust fly from his coat when the
two bullets struck him, He fell from his
saddle turned over on his back and died
without a struggle. Had he been only
wounded, I would have brought him out
Of that hell OF died In the attempt Per-
haps some one will say, You ought to
have brought out his dead body To such
| a one will reply, Bud, you wasn't there;
therefore. you can't say what you would
| have done-maybe run
81 was satisfied, too, that his body
would be recovered, for we were not more
than q or 80 yards from the woods. It was
soon recovered, and Captain Toibert, my
/ self and old George carried his body TO
| the Trout house In Atlanta, and prepared
1t for the trip TO Augusta.
General Hood, when Captain Tolbert
/ told him how devoted had been to Val
I lat -.
pany the body to his house, and 70 the
/ sand hills his resting place. Had any
/ skill in drawing. could give you clear
idea Of the spot where Walker fell, for Il
is photographed on my memory. and
! see II now as clearly as upon that day.
will, however. give you the best rough
| sketch of II can, and II there IS any one
| who lived near where he fell and remem-
Der how everything was before the fight,
/ or soon after they can identify the place.
Had there been no change in topography
Of the field, woods. etc., I could. be-
lieve, go 10 the very spot where he fell.
1T would like so much 10 be on hand on
the 22d Of July. but am not well. servs
ed with the first volunteer regiment that
left Georgia Evan Howell. Joe Thompson,
| Harry Krouse and others ! remember Of
the Gate City Guard. were In the regi-
ment.
my company was the Southern Rights
| Guards. from Perry, HOUSTON county. At
ter our term u2 months) Of service was
out I served in the 'Critter' company un-
der little Joe Wheeler, and surrendered
near Greensboro. n. Q.
general Walker had q single daushtef.
1s or IS years OF age. who visited him q
| Dalton, and his little boy, Percy, think,
his name was. Are they iiving7 And are
Captain Troup, Captain Lamar and Cap
tain ToIbert living7 know MAJOR Cum
ming Is. They were all on Walkers stan
when he was killed, but not near hisa
that day. as they were on other duty.
no doubt.
well, colonel. have no doubt taxed
your patience. but hope you VIII forgive
me. an old reb. 6s years OF age for being
a little reminiscent and gafrulous. Tou
know IL is incident TO old age to dwell on
of as planned on the ed. I'll Be With you
of as Planned on the S2d. I'LL be with you
In thought, II not IN person. Yours truly,
JOE T. COLLIER