THE LIFE OF SAMUEL H. WALKER

1-248910

Samuel H. Walker, a carpenter turned soldier, fought in the Seminole War, Mier Expedition, and Mexican-American War, where he died heroically leading a charge against Santa Ana's forces. Based upon archival materials including Walker's own letters, this is the first in-depth biography of Walker. Contains over 150 photographs and illustrations.

Samuel H. Walker was an apprentice carpenter in Washington, D.C. when the second Seminole War broke out in 1838. He enlisted in a Washington militia unit and went to Florida, eventually ending up in Texas and joined the Texas Rangers. When war broke between the United States and Mexico in 1846, he joined the 1st Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifle Volunteers before, at the request of General Zachary Taylor, forming his own company of scouts. Eventually was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Mounted Rifles and journeyed north to recruit his company. During this time, he met Samuel Colt, and this eventually resulted in the Walker Colt pistol. His company filled, Walker returned to Mexico and the scene of battle. There, in 1847, Walker led a furious charge against the remnants of Santa Ana's army, in which he was mortally wounded by a Mexican sniper.