Francis M. Walker
| Francis Marion Walker | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 12, 1827 Paris, Kentucky |
| Died | July 22, 1864 (aged 36) Atlanta, Georgia |
| Buried | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America Confederate States of America
|
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army
|
| Years of service | 1847–1848 (USA) 1861–1864 (CSA) |
| Rank |
 2nd Lieutenant, USV Colonel, CSA Brigadier General (unconfirmed) |
| Unit | 5th Tennessee Infantry (USA) |
| Commands held |
19th Tennessee Infantry F.M. Walker's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | |
Mexican-American War
American Civil War
Francis Marion Walker (November 12, 1827 – July 22, 1864) was a Confederate States Army officer during the American Civil War (Civil War). He was killed while commanding a brigade at the Battle of Atlanta of July 22, 1864, one day before his commission as a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army was delivered.
Francis Marion Walker was born in Paris, Kentucky on November 12, 1827. His parents were John and Tabitha (Taylor) Walker. Walker's mother died while he was young. In 1843, the Walker family moved to Hawkins County in east Tennessee, where his father was proprietor of a tavern. Walker had a limited formal education but taught school for his own education and to earn money for college tuition.
Walker was elected Second Lieutenant in the 5th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, commanded by his father as colonel, during the Mexican-American War. The unit was sent to Mexico but the war was over before it could be sent into action.
Walker graduated with honors from Transylvania University in 1850. He established a law practice in Rogersville, Tennessee. In 1854, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and set up a law practice. He was a Chattanooga alderman in 1858–1859 and attorney general of the Tennessee Fourth District from 1860 until the start of the Civil War.
Walker had a prominent son, Lapsley Greene Walker, a Chattanooga newspaperman who opposed the Ku Klux Klan.
Walker was actually a committed Unionist and made speeches in support of the Union in eastern Tennessee before Tennessee declared its secession from the Union. After Tennessee joined the Confederacy, Walker decided to stay with his State and joined the Confederate cause. He became Captain of the "Marsh Blues" of Hamilton County, Tennessee, which became Company I of the 19th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. The company was named for Ed Marsh, a local man who provided uniforms and equipment. Walker was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment on June 11, 1861.
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