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Joseph Knox Walker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joseph Knox Walker (July 19, 1818 – August 21, 1863) was an American politician and officer in the Confederate Army.

Colonel Joseph Knox Walker
Member of the Tennessee Senate
In office
1858?–1861?
Secretary to the President of the United States
In office
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
PresidentJames K. Polk
Preceded byRobert Tyler
Succeeded byWilliam Wallace Smith Bliss
Personal details
Born
Joseph Knox Walker

July 19, 1818
Columbia, Tennessee
DiedAugust 21, 1863 (aged 45)
Memphis, Tennessee
Military service
AllegianceConfederate States of America
RankColonel

Early life

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Walker was born on July 19, 1818, in Columbia, Tennessee. He was the son of James Walker, of Columbia, Tennessee, a nephew of President James K. Polk, and a brother of Lucius Marshall Walker. He graduated from Yale College in 1838.

Career

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In March 1845, he became Private Secretary of President Polk and the signer of land-warrants. In 1858, he was a member of the Tennessee Senate.

Soon after the beginning of the American Civil War, he entered the Confederate States Army and became colonel of the 2nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Exposure in camp at Columbus, Kentucky, and afterward in the vicinity of the Siege of Corinth and Battle of Shiloh, impaired his health so seriously that he resigned his command. The United States Army general commanding the department permitted him to return home to Memphis, Tennessee. There, his strength gradually declined until he died.

Death

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He died at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Wm. S. Pickett, on August 21, 1863, aged about 45 years.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.