[1] Walker entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1832, and graduated four years later, standing 46th out of 59 cadets.

That winter he was serving in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, where he was seriously wounded on December 25 in the neck, shoulder, chest, left arm, and also his leg.

While engaged at Churubusco he was again wounded, and his performance there combined with his actions at Contreras won him brevet to the rank of major on August 20.

Walker then participated in the Battle of Molino del Rey in early September and was once more wounded, this time in the back.

[3] With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Walker chose to follow his home state of Georgia and the Confederate cause.

He was promoted to brigadier general on May 25 and assigned the 1st brigade, 4th Division of the Potomac District of the Department of Northern Virginia on October 22.

[5] Walker and his division were transferred to the Department of Mississippi & Eastern Louisiana in July and served there until August 23, when his command was added to the Reserve Corps of the Army of Tennessee until November 4.

[2] During this time Walker fought in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia that September as commander of that corps.

He would command it up to his death in combat on July 22, 1864, at the Battle of Atlanta,[2] when he was shot from his horse by a Federal picket, killing him instantly,[6] and Brig.

[2] An upturned cannon waymark in the Glenwood Avenue triangle of Atlanta currently marks the place where Walker was killed.

"[7] A bronze bust of Walker was dedicated in 1916, made by American sculptor Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, and is located at Vicksburg National Military Park.