James A . Walker James Alexander Walker ( August 27 , 1832 – October 21 , 1901 ) was a Virginia lawyer , politician , and Confederate general during the American Civil War , later serving as a United States Congressman for two terms . He earned the nickname " Stonewall Jim " for his days as commander of the famed Stonewall Brigade , which at one time had been led by its namesake , Stonewall Jackson . Early life . Walker was born near Mount Meridian in Augusta County , Virginia . He attended private schools as a youth and attended Virginia Military Institute . In 1852 , while in then Colonel Jacksons Classroom ( Jackson was both an officer and an instructor at VMI ) Cadet Walker perceived that Jackson was challenging his integrity . He , therefore , refused to follow a directive of Jackson to " stop talking " unless Jackson would also stop talking . Jackson excused Walker from class and charged him with disobeying an order . Cadet Walker a cadet officer who would have graduated in only weeks , challenged Jackson to a duel to defend his honor . The administrators of the school expelled Cadet Walker to prevent the duel . It is important to note that when General Stonewall Jackson was on his deathbed after being shot by friendly fire , he requested that then Colonel James A Walker , an officer in the Confederate Army , become his replacement , be promoted to General and take over Jackson ' s Brigade . Stonewall Jackson requested by name the very man who had years earlier challenged him to a duel ! It is also important to note that Walkers name was added to the rolls of graduates at Virginia Military Institute some years later . General James A Walker commanded the Stonewall Brigade , and was known by his troops as " Stonewall Jim " . After the war Walker returned to civilian life . He studied law at the University of Virginia in 1854 and 1855 before being admitted to the bar the following year . He established a successful law practice in Newbern in Pulaski County . In 1858 , he married Sarah A . Poage of Augusta County , Virginia . The couple would have six children . He became an attorney for the Commonwealth in 1860 . Civil War . With the outbreak of the Civil War and Virginia ' s eventual secession , Walker entered the Confederate Army in April 1861 as captain of the " Pulaski Guards " , which soon became Company C of the 4th Virginia Infantry . In July 1861 , he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned to the 13th Virginia Infantry . Walker was again promoted , this time to colonel , in March 1862 , leading his regiment in several actions . Walker was an acting brigade commander at the Battle of Antietam . He was promoted to brigadier general and assigned command of the Stonewall Brigade in May 1863 , leading it during the Gettysburg Campaign , where his regiment participated in the attacks on Culp ' s Hill . He was badly wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864 and sent home to recuperate . Late in the war , after the death of Brig . Gen . John Pegram , Walker was assigned command of a division of Second Corps , Army of Northern Virginia . Post War career . When the war ended in 1865 , Walker returned to his law practice and political career , being elected as a Democrat to the House of Delegates of Virginia in 1871 and 1872 . VMI granted him an honorary degree in 1872 in recognition of his Civil War service . Five years later , he was elected the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia . In 1890 , Walker was a charter member of The Virginia Bar Association . In 1893 , Walker switched allegiances and joined the Republican Party . He was elected to the Fifty - fourth and Fifty - fifth Congresses , serving from 1895 until 1899 . During his second term , Walker served as chairman of the Committee on Elections . In 1898 , Walker was defeated for re - election by William F . Rhea . In the subsequent contest of that election , a shootout occurred at a deposition , and Walker was wounded . In 1900 , Walker ran again against Rhea and lost . Walker ' s contest of the 1900 election was abated by his death in 1901 . Death and legacy . Walker died in Wytheville , Virginia , and was buried in the town ' s East End Cemetery . He was the great - grandfather of M . Caldwell Butler .