Mar 5, 2019 Orange County Review
Thanks to Larry Shirley sharing his research, I am able to tell you about an Orange County native, Cpl. John Henry Walker, U.S. Army, Troop D, 10th Calvary. Before telling you about the heroic actions of Cpl. Walker, I will reel off a few family names which readers are sure to recognize.
John Walker was born in 1872, in Orange County to Anderson Walker (1820-before 1880) and Margaret Walker (nee McIntosh, 1840-1920). In 1880, Margaret was listed as a widow with eight children living and working on the property of Wm. N. Green in the Taylor District. The census lists the following children: Lucy (b. 1859), Stonewall (b. 1861), Eliza (b. 1868), Sally (b.1870), Catherine (b. 1871), John (b. 1872), Robert (b. 1875) and Anderson (b. 1879). All birth years are estimated based on ages recorded in the census. No doubt these folks are someone’s grandparents and we will explore their history on another day. For now, please enjoy John’s history.
At about age 25, John Henry Walker enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 10th Calvary; the 9th and 10th Cavalry were better known as the Buffalo Soldiers. In July of 1898, history would record Cpl. Walker’s gallant actions during the siege of San Juan Hill, Cuba.
According to an after-action report by Capt. Bigelow, Walker exhibited a cool head, leadership and bravery:
“I went up to the top of the wire fence by stepping from wire to wire near a post, and jumped off the top, calling to my men as I struck the ground to come on. Cpl. John Walker of my troop got a bayonet and cut the wire. My men and a number of infantrymen went through the opening thus made.
“Cpl. Walker was with the handful of fearless spirits who accompanied Lt. J. G. Ord, of the Sixth United States Infantry, forming with that splendid young soldier the point of Gen. Hawkins’s gallant brigade, the head and front of the assault; and it was Cpl. Walker who avenged the death of Lt. Ord.”
In explanation of Capt. Bigelow’s statement of Cpl. Walker avenging the death of Lt. Ord, I offer a statement published from the website, “A Unit History of the 19th Cavalry Regiment”:
“The troop charged along with the other forces. Lt. Jules Ord of the 6th Infantry Regiment was advancing and reached the top of the hill first when he was shot through the chin. Cpl. Walker of D Troop saw Ord’s killer and dispatched him in return, thus avenging the death of the first American to reach the top of the hill.”
Cpl. Walker was awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Service Medal.
Following his discharge from the army, Cpl. Walker moved to Covington, Va., and opened his own business. He died in 1951 and is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington, Allegheny County, Va.
Cpl. Walker, thank you for your service and may your legacy never be forgotten!
Until next week, be well.
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