Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
COMMANDER OF Ex-PRIsoNERs.
Col. j. D. Walker, Brave Soldier and
Distin guished Citizen.

Colonel ]. D. Walker of Pittsburg, Pa,
national commander of the Union Ex-
Prisoners of War, whose efforts tended
largely toward securing the G. A. R. en-
campment for this city, is a Pennsylvania
prominent in the states affairs, civil, mill
tary and political. Born in the city of
Allegheny June 6. 1916, he is now fifty-six
years of age.
At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the
famous "Knap's Pennsylvania Battery for
three years or during the war, and from the
date of enlistment participated In all the
marches and battles of that celebrated or
ganization until mustered out at the age of
nineteen in Pittsburg, Pa, June H. 1865.
Prior to enlisting in the battery Colonel
Walker was a soldier of the Both Pennsyl-
vania, was at the battle of Antietam in
1862, and also with Shackleford's Cavalry
in the pursuit of the daring confederate
General Morgan through Ohio, and was in
at his capture.
The fall of 1863 saw the 18th Army Corps,
to which 'Knaps Battery was attached,
on its way to Chattanooga to meet a cor
responding move of the confederate General
Colonel Bratton, commanding brigade of
South Caroinians at Wauhatchie, Tenn,
attacked a small and isolated part of the
White Star Division of the 18th Corps and
=
two hours conflict participated in practi-
calIy all one side by South Carolinians
and on the other side by Pennsylvanians.
the confederates retired. leaving their dead
and wounded in the hands of the Union
forces Out of 46 officers and men and 4S
horses engaged with "Knaps Battery" %
men were killed or wounded, among them
the captain and first lieutenant, and 46
horses were killed or disabled.
Colonel Walker was with General Sher-
man on the Atlanta campaign. his march
to the sea and through the Carolinas, and
was taken prisoner near Blackwater, N. c.,
by General Hampton's confederate cavalry
and confined in the confederate prisons at
Raleigh, N. c.: Danvile and Libby, Va
He has been a member of the G. A. r. since
1861: a past commander of Post IS, De-
terms chairman of executive committee
National Association, Union Ex-Prisoners
of War, and was elected national command
er of the same at Cleveland, Ohio, last
year.
Since the civil war Colonel Walker has
taken an active interest in affairs pertain
ing to the old soldiers and military mat
tiers. AS an officer of the National Guard
of Pennsylvania, and as q member of the
military committee of the Pennsylvania
house of representatives for three sessions,
he was very active and successful in secur-
ing legislation looking to the betterme mt of
the condition Of old soldiers, soldiers
orphans, and the reorganization Of the
Pennsylvania National Guard.
A deserved compliment in recognition of
his services at that time was his appoint
ment by Governor Henry NJ. Hoyt to the
position of chief of artillery, with the rank
of colonel. in which he served for four
years. Colonel Walkers work and services
for the ex-prisoners of war since his con-
nection with that organization is well
known and highly appreciated by his old
comrades In arms of the civil war, and re-
CURES no comment here. Colonel Walker is
of Scotch-Irsh extraction, and of direct
descent from the fighting preacher of the
walls o. Derry