One of my greatest discoveries during my research into my
ancestor, John Stewart Walker, was a first-hand account of his death, written by
J. Staunton Moore, one of the men of his command. Although this account was
written forty-five years later, and likely coloured by those intervening years,
the few particulars do match up with all of the other facts I’ve learned.
The account is part of a larger piece about the battle of
Malvern Hill, which was published in the Southern Historical Society Papers,
Volume XXXV. (Reprinted by Broadfoot Publishing Company, Morningside Bookshop,
1991). At the point where this excerpt picks up, the 15th Virginia,
along with the rest of its Brigade, has been called out of reserve and sent
forward to take a Union position on top of a hill.
‘…About one hundred and fifty of our regiment reached the
base of the hill, in command of Major John Stewart Walker, formerly captain of
the Virginia Life Guard, of Richmond (Company B), who assumed command as soon
as Colonel August was placed hors de combat. Here we rested, under severe and
continuous fire that did not admit of our raising our heads from the ground. As
twilight was deepening into the shades of night, the word was passed down the
line to prepare to charge the crest of the hill. Major Walker stood up with
drawn sword and flashing eye and gave the command, “Forward, charge!” It was
the last word this gallant officer ever uttered. He fell, and was dragged into
a little branch which flowed at the foot of the hill and expired in the arms of
his brother, Captain Norman Walker. Thus perished as brave a soldier as ever
flashed his sword in any cause!’
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