University of Virginia Library

JAMES ALEXANDER WALKER.

Was born in Augusta county, Virginia, August 27th, 1832. Was educated
at the Virginia Military Institute. Studied law at the University of
Virginia during the sessions of 1854 and 1855. Began the practice of law in
Pulaski county, Virginia, in 1856, and followed the practice of his profession

James A. Walker.

until his death, which occurred on October 20th,
1901. Entered the Confederate army in April, 1861,
as captain of the Pulaski Guards, afterwards Company
C, Fourth Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade.
Was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and assigned to
the Thirteenth Virginia Infantry (A. P. Hill, colonel)
in July, 1861. Promoted to colonel of the Thirteenth
Virginia Infantry in March, 1862, and May, 1863, was
promoted to brigadier-general and assigned to command
of the "Stonewall Brigade." Commanded
Early's old division at the surrender at Appomattox.
Was severely wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse
May 12th, 1864. Elected Commonwealth's Attorney
for Pulaski county in 1860. Represented Pulaski county in the House of
Delegates of Virginia in 1871-1872. Was elected Lieutenant-Governor of
Virginia in 1877. Removed to Wytheville, where he practiced his profession.
Was elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress as a Republican, defeating
Judge H. S. K. Morrison, of Scott county, Democrat, by about 1,000 majority,
and was reëlected to the Fifty-fifth Congress, receiving 16,077 votes,
against 14,900 votes for S. W. Williams, Democrat.