Lucius Marshall "Marsh" Walker (October 18, 1829 – September 7, 1863) was an American soldier who served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded in a duel with fellow general John S. Marmaduke.
Overview
Lucius Marshall "Marsh" Walker (October 18, 1829 – September 7, 1863) was an American soldier who served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded in a duel with fellow general John S. Marmaduke.
Early life and education
Lucius Marshall Walker was born in Columbia, Tennessee. He was a nephew of President James K. Polk. Walker finished his school year in the United States Military Academy in 1850, placing 15th of a class of 44. He was brevetted second lieutenant of dragoons and served on frontier duty in Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1852, shortly before resigning to return to Tennessee, where he established a successful mercantile business.
Walker lived in St. Francis County, Arkansas, at the time of his enlistment.
American Civil War
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Walker was commissioned colonel of the 40th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry on November 11, 1861. His first assignment was to command the post at Memphis, Tennessee. In 1862, Walker and the 40th Tennessee were ordered to New Madrid, Missouri, to prepare for the Battle of Island Number Ten.
