Life of Samuel H. Walker

"The 506-page book is a welcome work, as it represents the first in-depth biography of Walker and makes extensive use of a rich body of archival sources, including Walker’s personal letters... a must-read for historical arms aficionados." ― American Rifleman

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. Upon the expiration of the unit’s service, he was employed in the construction of the railroad from Mobile to Pensacola. Upon the completion of his labors, he removed to Texas where he joined the ill-fated Mier Expedition in 1842, being subsequently imprisoned by the Mexican authorities for two years, during which time he developed an intense hatred for his captors. Upon his release, he returned to Texas and joined the Texas Rangers. When war broke between the United States and Mexico in 1846, Walker joined the 1st Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifle Volunteers before, at the request of General Zachary Taylor, forming his own company of scouts. He subsequently returned to the Texas Mounted Rifles and was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment.

His term of service with Texas finished, he 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. His discussions with Colt 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 the Mexican dictator Santa Ana’s army in which he was mortally wounded by a Mexican sniper.

Based upon archival materials including Walker’s own letters—he was a well-educated man and wrote extremely descriptive accounts of his experiences—this is the first in-depth biography of Walker.



Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction

Chapter 1: Deep American Roots
Chapter 2: The Young Patriot and the Second Seminole War
Chapter 3: The Florida Civilian Years
Chapter 4: The Long Ordeal. 1842-1843
Chapter 5: The Rangers of Texas
Chapter 6: The Battle of Walker Creek, June 8. 1844
Chapter 7: Matamoros to Monterey; Early Ranger Wartime Service
Chapter 8: The Walker Colt Revolver
Chapter 9: Capt. Samuel H. Walker, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen
Chapter 10: The Death of Capt. Samuel H. Walker, RMR
Chapter 11: Samuel H. Walker’s Legacy
Capt. Samuel H. Walker’s Last Letter

Appendix
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index

David M. Sullivan is the editor or author of several publications, including the four-volume The United States Marine Corps in the Civil War, recipient of the 2003 Brigadier General O. P. Smith award present by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He is the administrator of the Company of Military Historians and editor of its journal. He is also the president of the International Naval Research Organization and editor of its journal.

James Worsham served in the US Army Reserve for seven years. He took an MA in History and an MA in Journalise from the University of Alabama. He taught history and journalism for over twenty years, most recently at Bluefield State and Bluefield College, West Virginia. He published a number of articles and lectured widely on historical topics, including Samuel Walker. He died in 2024.